Need input on an IDPA gun for a teenager

[St Michael]

I went to an intro IDPA class/shoot last Saturday. What a great sport! I'm hooked.

I also learned that IDPA permits minors to compete, so I'm going to let my 13 year old son join too.

I'm using a Glock 27, but this gun/caliber is a little too hot for my son.

I'm looking at all the different options in 9mm, trying to find something that is a solid reliable and relatively simple gun, weight/size doesn't matter so much, and I prefer he start on DAO.

I'm pricing used Glocks, S&W's, Berettas, Steyrs, Taurus, Springfield XDs, etc...but even used, I can't find anything in the $250 or less range that I want to spend for his "learner" gun.

I have found several used Ruger P series in a 9mm within the price range I'm looking at, but I know nothing about the Rugers and their suitability for IDPA. Anybody have thoughts on the Rugers?

Any suggestions on other options I might be missing?

[Duck of Death]

Ruger makes a reliable auto although somewhat clunky, also look at CDNN for LEO G17 turn ins.

Call 800-588-9500

[Wulfenite]

Ditto a Police Trade/Factory Refurb Glock 17....assuming your son has the hand size to handle it. Its probably a few bucks more than you're talking about spending. However, its worth it cause its not a learner gun; it could reasonably be campaigned for an IDPA championship. Also, what you spend up front you'll save in cheep repair parts, and cheep and widely available accessories.

[Tactical 313]

ugly, but inexpensive and fairly reliable. Also accurate enough for the young man to train with will he is a novice. Besides if he decides that he dosn't like shooting you are not out of much money.
JMHO, (I am going to get one for my 12 yr old daughter to train with):beer:

[Jim Watson]

If you think your son will stay interested get him a G17. Even if he doesn't you will be ahead because you can shoot it with better handling and cheaper ammo than that G27.

Rugers are not real easy to shoot well and other DA/SA types are not a whole lot better. Let's not get into the Hipoint thing.

The only case I know of in person is our club pharmacist and his daughter. He started her out with a S&W 3913 (his store gun) because of its simple operation and minimum IDPA calibre. The DA was tough and the DA/SA transition was no help. She soon graduated to a 1911. She shoots the .45 in CDP by preference, only getting out the SA 1911 9mm when Dad is too busy to load .45s for her. I shot with them at the Nationals last year, her age 13 at the time. Although he is not a little league father who pushes her in the sport, she beat any number of adults and impressed the rest with her safe, cordial, and levelheaded behavior.

[MarkP]

Originally posted by St Michael
I went to an intro IDPA class/shoot last Saturday. What a great sport! I'm hooked.

I also learned that IDPA permits minors to compete, so I'm going to let my 13 year old son join too.

I'm using a Glock 27, but this gun/caliber is a little too hot for my son.

I'm looking at all the different options in 9mm, trying to find something that is a solid reliable and relatively simple gun, weight/size doesn't matter so much, and I prefer he start on DAO.

I'm pricing used Glocks, S&W's, Berettas, Steyrs, Taurus, Springfield XDs, etc...but even used, I can't find anything in the $250 or less range that I want to spend for his "learner" gun.

I have found several used Ruger P series in a 9mm within the price range I'm looking at, but I know nothing about the Rugers and their suitability for IDPA. Anybody have thoughts on the Rugers?

Any suggestions on other options I might be missing?

for $250 - your best option would be a revolver . J&G sales in Prescott Az usually has some used M10's that make great beginner guns.

[zrxoa5793]

In that price range your best bet will be a taurus, but I would look hard at the glock 19 or 17, new or used you can't beat them.
I worked in a gun shop for a few years. High Point, and other low cost guns will not last, If you shoot IDPA. Your gun will see more rounds in a year, than most guns see in a lifetime.
I have found that with guns you do get what you pay for.

[GRR]

If you're going to get him a $250 "learner" simi auto, he will likely learn that the trigger is crap, it won't fit his hand, the sights will stink, it will be unreliable and will fail him during a match, thereby ruining his experience. You're using a Glock. Get him a nice used G19 or or better yet a G17, a GOOD holster and mag pouches. Now's the time for his experience to be positive. He needs something YOU would be willing to use regularly. If he decides he doesn't like it then, at least you have something you can use or trade.

[St Michael]

Originally posted by GRR
If you're going to get him a $250 "learner" simi auto, he will likely learn that the trigger is crap, it won't fit his hand, the sights will stink, it will be unreliable and will fail him during a match, thereby ruining his experience. You're using a Glock. Get him a nice used G19 or or better yet a G17, a GOOD holster and mag pouches. Now's the time for his experience to be positive. He needs something YOU would be willing to use regularly. If he decides he doesn't like it then, at least you have something you can use or trade.

Thanks everyone for the good advice.

GRR, your post makes an aweful lot of sense! I'm going to look into finding a decent used Glock 9mm. I'm not personally comfortable with a revolver, so I think the Glock is still the best option.

[Custom Glock Racing]

Check out CZs. Very well built and rather inexpensive. Under $400 for a NIB 75b and far less used.

[GRR]

Originally posted by Custom Glock Racing
Check out CZs. Very well built and rather inexpensive. Under $400 for a NIB 75b and far less used.

Matt,

Wouldn't the trigger reach in DA be a little long for someone with small hands? Or am I thinking of another model. Not too familiar with CZ's

[Jim Watson]

CZ75 is a good gun to be shot cocked and locked, but the trigger reach is long for a DA start. Also, I have eased down the hammer of my CZ many times, but it is not something I would want to have to teach a kid to do safely along with everything else he needs to know. They make a CZ75BD with decocker but the long DA reach still applies.

[Custom Glock Racing]

Im not sure since I have large hands. Easy way to find out though. Stop by a store and se if it fits.

[Wulfenite]

CZ should be carried and shot from cocked and locked IMHO.... Absent some sort safe way to lower the hammer anything else is not wise. The way to think of the gun is as a SA gun with restrike capability.

[Custom Glock Racing]

There are decock models too. Not alot more money either. I have a P01 thats great.

[WellArmedSheep]

I think it's great that you're gonna get your son into IDPA at such an early age. I just shot my first match this weekend also, and I'm wishing I would have found it a long time ago. It's a great game!

As a high school band director I see parents trying to save a few bucks on an instrument and buying a piece of junk horn that isn't servicable. More often than not the student gets frustrated and quits. I always tell my new band parents that if it turns out that the kid doesn't want to stick with it they'll be able to get most of the money back if they sell the higher quality instrument.

I guess the same goes for starter guns. If you spend a little more at the get go for a used Glock and it turns out your son doesn't want to stick with IDPA, you'll be able to turn around and sell it and only be out a few bucks. But if he decides to stick with it he'll have a gun that'll last him for the rest of his life.

My .02...I won't get my feelings hurt if you don't agree with me:cool:

[Bren]

If you are shooting IDPA with a Glock 27, you will eventually want something more competitive - get the Glock 17. It will cost a little more than $250 (in that range, the only quality IDPA gun would be a revolver - I recently saw a S&W Mod. 10 for $195), but don't think of it as a "beginner gun" - if your son sticks with it, a Glock 17 will be his main gun for years and if he doesn't it will be your main gun for years. With that in mind, spend more and get a good one.

[St Michael]

Thanks everyone for your input!

It looks as if I'm going to bite the bullet (pub intended) and get a Glock 17 or Glock 22.

But one last question...We practice at home with full size/weight AirSoft versions of the Beretta 92/Taurus PT92, so he is already used to the grip size/angle on the 92/PT92.

Any thoughts on a Taurus PT92AF 9mm? I found a used one in excellent condition that I can get for under $250. I know the Beretta 92 would be fine for IDPA, but I've read mixed reviews, mostly good, on the Taurus version of the 92. Does anyone have experience with one?

[Brass Nazi]

Both the Beretta and Taurus are good guns. The Beretta is a little nicer finished and combat proven. The Taurus has a frame mounted saftey and the Beretta has a slide mounted saftey. I am a Beretta nut so I am partial to the Beretta. If you and your son like the way they fit your hand(some people do not) then buy one and use it!


edited to add:
I would make sure that you buy a "quality" weapon. A good gun will last nearly a lifetime. You can learn just as easy with a cheap gun but it will not be around 30 years from now.

[USPSA Guy]

You made a good decision to spend the extra money for a G17.

The way you need to think about this purchase to make you forget about the price is you aren't getting him a "learner" gun, you're getting him his "first" gun (OK, maybe first handgun). Something that say "Dad cares" for the rest of his life. A life that one day might be saved by that very gun. On that day you wouldn't care if it cost $10K.

OR.....just to keep things on topic.....he might use that gun to unseat Dave S. one day at the Nats. On that day you wouldn't care if it cost $10K (notice a trend here).

[Steve Koski]

My 13 year old son shoots my Ruger 22/45 in IDPA & handgun competitions. It doesn't meet the IDPA rules, but they still let him play.

I bought a holster and mag pouch for it, and he loves it. He's always a bit put-off by the recoil of my centerfire guns, and loves firing the 22. So I figure, why push him?

Koski

[Wulfenite]

Good point Steve....like your club, the clubs around here are very flexible about the rules for new/young shooters. Heck, they'd probably let him shoot his airsoft for his first match.