I gave a handgun 101 lesson Saturday to a new shooter. Early thirties, some 22 rifle experience as a teen, zero handgun experience and no interest in revolvers at all.

No matter, we started out with a 4 inch 66-3. After learning sight alignment, grip, stance and trigger control, we went to a 3906 all steel single stack 9mm. This fellow did very well. He was safe, paid attention and accepted constructive criticism well. Three mags and he was shooting 4 inch groups at 15 yards.

But he wanted to shoot a 45. "I want to learn the 45 and shoot it really good and fast!" Slow down Sparky. And take off those blinders too. So after a quick indoctrination on the 45 round and the shooting of same, I pulled out my 4566 LEO spurless hammer/ decock only, Hogue grips and he gets to work. He does pretty well. Some vertical stringing from anticipating recoil. A few instances of wandering muzzle - with his finger off the trigger though - so I wasn't too harsh with him.

But he wants to shoot one of those polymer 45's. So, after conferring about lighter weight pistols and the different characteristics of shooting them, I put him behind an HK USP compact 45. He proceeds to tear out the 10 ring. Just smoking bullseye after bullseye till he's out of ammunition. "I want one of these! What is it?"

I guess new shooters really do want plastic these days. Granted the HK USP is a finely crafted, well designed piece of polymer. Besides the polymer framed HK's, I've only owned one other polymer pistol, a Walther PPQ 9mm. I just don't care for polymer guns. No soul to them. The triggers don't do anything for me either. I'm from a generation that had good looking guns. I don't buy ugly guns.

Evidently, new shooters don't find the triggers to be a detriment. Perhaps its because they never experienced a really good trigger and don't know the difference or what they are missing. I don't know. They don't care about the asthetics either. Just whether it is light weight and comfortable.

This fella did ask "How long till I can shoot the really fast teeny tiny groups that you do?" I told him that if he dry fired three times a week and shot a minimum of 300 rounds a month, he'd be doing that in about three or four years.

But based on my observations Saturday, steel guns are no longer appreciated by the next generations of shooters. Plastic is where its at for them. I am truly a dinosaur. But I'm a dinosaur that can shoot very well. Regards 18DAI

Don't be too skeptical! I'm 19 and my only handgun is a model 29. But I will admit, I am the vast minority among shooters my age. While I'm drooling over the Colt Gold Cups at the store (which I am saving up for currently lol), my buddies huddle around all the Glocks. It beats me, but that's the way it is.

And I'm right there with you on the less than desirable triggers on the plastic guns. But then again, I'm used to shooting my revolver SA and shooting my grandfather's Colt Government model.

At least your student is trying and willing to learn. He also wants to shoot .45s, which for some reason seems the be losing out to the smaller cartridges. Such a shame!

Get that Gold Cup olds442guy. It is well worth eating ramen noodles for a few weeks.

One of the nicest 1911's I've ever owned or shot. Glad to see they are still appreciated by a few young folks! Regards 18DAI

Which model Gold Cup do you have? I really want the current production Gold Cup Trophy, but have heard mixed things on new Colts.

Had. MKIV Series 70. Sold it to feed my divorce attorney, along with most of my accumulation at the time. I did get to keep my original Series 80 Combat Elite, which shoots almost as well. It was a gift from my father, so I won't ever sell it.

I would not hesitate to buy a current production Colt 1911. I've examined several at local gunshows. Excellent fit and finish. Colt stands behind their products too.

The "new" Combat Elites are very nice as well. Give them a look. Regards 18DAI

I suspect that in this case it's "beauty is as beauty does". There's no arguing that the current generation of "plastic" pistols gets the job done. They're typically dead-reliable, easy to shoot well, and "accurate enough" right out of the box, and that's hard to argue against. You've also got to keep in mind that the 30-something crowd didn't gain their initial appreciation of firearms by watching Westerns or WWII movies like the older generation did. The "kids" these days grew up watching the "Die Hard" and "Terminator" movies instead, so you're lucky he didn't automatically hold his pistol in the "sideways gangsta" position automatically.

On the positive side, if he gets his plastic fantastic and actually spends some time at the range, he's bound to acquire some experience with other shooters and their old-timey shooting irons. If he lucks into a box or two through a nice Custom Shop revolver or a slick-shooting gunsmithed .45 tackdriver, the hook will be set. Sometimes you have to get tired of vanilla before you start to really appreciate all the rest of the flavors out there.

Never fear guys! I am a S&W lover of older model pistols. I started late in life with firearms because my ex refused to have any in the house. Being a good spouse I agreed and never had any guns. Then after the divorse was final I spread my wings and started.

At first I too went after the polymer stuff because ofwhat Iread in the magazines. Then a few months ago I bought my first S&W 2nd gen, a 659 and fell in love. I sold all but two polymer pistols, my S&W M&P40 and a Walther PK380 (which is going up for sale soon).

Just this weekend I won a bid on a 645 and a Mod 10-6 revolver to add to the collection. I have a slightly stronger feeling for the semi autos but the revolvers look so good too sometimes.

So, there people like me who are older and just finding the older generation S&Ws and falling in love with them. I maybe a late bloomer in the pistol world but I'm trying my best to make up for lost time. Have acquired 4 S&W revolvers and 5 S&W semis in the last 6 months.

Plus I joined the Forum to find help for my addiction, it's working, I want more!

I think one of the reasons the young crowd (one of which I am no longer at 64yo) is what they are used to seeing in video games, TV, movies and such. Not too many lever actions, steel semis or wheel guns seen Id guess.
I do have both types, have a S&W 19-3. high standard Sharpshooter and just bought my first plastic for carry and HD which is a S&W9c. all different and all fun to shoot.
While at the range Saturday I got to shoot a fellows 1911 in.45 It was love at first shot for me and my thoughts of a shield vanished for dreams of a 1911.

I am a young one, and a new shooter (compared to some of you guys), and I have an affinity for heavy (read: all metal) guns, especially revolvers. They don't necessarily have to be pinned and recessed for me to like them, but I am drawn to the old style thumb latch and hammer mounted firing pins. I have tried a couple plastic guns and still have one. I don't see the plastic gun trigger as being inferior, just different. And I guess what I mean is, it would take me the same amount of training to become proficient with just about any trigger whether DA revolver, DA/SA 3rd gen, SAO 1911, or DAO plastic gun. That's just me. Now that said, soul and looks do count in my book. NO plastic gun will ever compare, looks wise, to even my ugliest revolver.

My take as a 25 year old who has been shooting for the very long period of 24 months, is that the shift to polymer is about 1 factor-ease of use.

With the metal frame weapons you cannot just pick them up and start knocking out the ten ring. One has to practice shooting and learning the platform to get the most out of it. Put simply, a 5906 won't give you a 3" group out the box;you have to earn it through practice.

In this day an age of iPads , instant grits, and Netflix on demand no one's got time to be on the range 'practicing'. Learning the platform? Experiencing a sublime trigger pull? Enjoying the subtle weight of the hammer releasing to hit the firing pin?Learning how to sweep off the safety?Learning how to de-cock on re-holster?

Nope gotta have the 1" group right now ,to go please.These guys are like drive through shottists as they roll through a gun store like a fast food joint.If it were possible they'd buy their weapons like we do our lunch;can they get a Glock Combo #1 with a 3.5lb connector & a side dish of a 33 round mag?

The reason Glocks and their ilk are so popular, is because newbies can buy them, run 100 rounds through them, and feel like Rob Leatham because the switch-some of these pieces don't even rate the term "trigger"-isn't a challenge. They'll look like experts shooting striker fired guns all day.

Until they get handed a revolver or a TDA pistol, and their groups look like shotgun patterns because the striker fired mechanism was a crutch for atrocious trigger control.Then you get the "TDA is impossible to shoot accurately" drivel. Indeed this is the case for such naysayers because Glock type triggers have more in common with a light switch than with a 1911.

Nice to see that some of you younger shooters have an affinity for older handguns.

There was a thread recently in revolvers 1980 to present, IIRC, that dealt with the dwindling number of new revolver shooters. I agree with Ram48 that the majority of new shooters want handguns they see in video games, TV and movies.

For the purposes of this discussion, I'm interested in what you members are seeing/experiencing as regards metal framed semi autos vs polymer handguns, as seen by new shooters.

The 1911 is still fairly popular at the local public range. But I mostly see 1911's being used by experienced folks. Folks who have been shooting for a decade or so. These same folks also have descretionary income that allows the purchase of 1911's that actually function well too.

As far as semi auto's go, I'm a S&W 45XX series fan myself. I've got about a dozen and it is the only semi auto I'm currently qualified on at work.

My favorite is the 4566. In particular the stainless decock only, spurless hammer LE variant. Mine is a tack driver and unlike most semi auto's, 100% reliable. It also has a sweet trigger and looks good doing all that.

I have two melonite 4566's as well. One is NIB and the other has less than 1000 rounds through it. It is also extremely accurate and fun to look at in the matt black finish. I may qualify with the melonite 4566 again this fall. In any case, the 4566 is the go to gun, for me.

The only semi auto I think I like more than the 4566 is the PC 4566 CQB 45. Everything good about the 4566, made a little better! Of course I don't own one of those - yet! Regards 18DAI

I'd rather have metal, and I'm kinda new to shooting (Not so new to this planet though lol). I agree, it is about 'soul'.

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645, 457s

Even though the calendar says I'm over fifty yrs young I haveless than five years of shooting and enjoying pistols. I see mainly people with the latest greatest polymer pistol at the range and in the gun cases at the LGS. Everyone seems to be talking about how light and how small can it be made so I can carry it and not even feel it there. I confess I was part of the crowd and enjoyed my polymers until I saw the sexy soulful good-looking older S&Ws.

I like the look and feel of the heavy S&W in my hand. It makes me feel like I truly have a "weapon" in my hand and not some plastic toy. I haven't shot enough of a variety of pistols to qualify as any kind of expert, but I am working on it.

I have a Colt .38 Super that I have yet to test but am looking forward to it. I assume it will be awesome. I did buy as a curiousity a GSG .22 LR in a 1911 platform. Now I realize it is only a .22, but it shoots as nice as anythng I have ever fired. My girlfriend hates semi autos but after shooting the .22 GSG she loves that one. (she shoots a S&W 10-8 revolver)

I hope the older S&Ws stay un-noticed for a while longer so I can build my collection before prices go any higher, please?

I'm 25 and only own one Polymer pistol, the big brother of your USP compact, a .45 USP Full-size (You're right about HK's though damn I love my USP). Hell, at this moment I only have 3 automatic pistol's: USP .45, a Makarov (love), and a CS9 (also love).

The rest are all those "old antiquated six-shooters" and man I couldn't be happier!

My whole take on the Younger Generation (mine) and Polymer/Steel Handguns is: Screw em'! If they don't like Blue Steel and Walnut, it only leaves more for us appreciative youngsters and the old timers! Let them buy as many M&P/Glock's as they want!


EDIT: Just this last week I took four of my revolvers out to the range and I was one of two or three people (out of about 25) that was shooting revolvers. Sadly I rarely see anyone out with a Service-Size revolver (4-5") except maybe an old-timer with the Sheriff/Security Company.

If I do see anyone shooting revolvers it's either one of three situations:

1: Shooting a J-Frame (CCW)
2: Shooting a .44 Mag or .500 S&W (Hunting/Rental just for fun)
3: Shooting a .22 (although automatic .22's are taking over)

On the rare times I do see other people shooting their "Service" sized revolvers I always make a point to go "shoot the breeze" with them as a fellow revolver-holic.

Most of the time though I just get really strange stares at me when I plop out wheelguns, occasionally I'll get the "Those are obsolete/ Why only have 6 shots when you could have 17" debate.

here is my old iron both from the mid 70s and both mine since new. :-)

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Today....steel or.....plastic (sorry Gaston.....that's what it's mostly made of....) it doesn't matter to me. I like to see many new shooters just buy guns, ammo and shoot, to support the second amendment and to keep our freedoms. Eventually...many new shooters will come over from "the dark side" and will appreciate steel-framed (or other metal) firearms. By that time, however....they may cost a bit more....especially the older ones like many of us own or "lust" after. I am sure, one day, my steel-framed 539 pistols will be worth what original 39 steel-framed pistols are going for today. I love the "feel" of the 39+ series grips and the look of wood-over-steel. One guy "lusted" over my Performance Center 952 at the range and I let him take her for a test drive. Let anyone that thinks that metal-framed guns are "Lost In Space".....come back and see....they are not "Alien" to this planet at all.

TAKJR

For me I like guns that are unique and have character. That's why I love my 29, and why I really want to eventually get a Colt Gold Cup and a Desert Eagle. I'm sure plastic guns are, in general, great guns for many different purposes. But they just don't have anything cool about them that would make me proud to own one even ten years after I bought it.

Great posts here! Warms the cockles of my heart to see the younger guys and gals enjoying steel and wood!
And Snakeshifter, KUDOS for "loving" the Makarov!! And here I thought it was a dead duck.
Around here I see mostly M&Ps, and Glorps, a few Js and baby .380s at the range (along with WAY to many ARs!). I get states when I break out my newly found 581, or 58...at least till they go BOOM!
And although I own a HK P30, there is a tug of war between it and my old 5946, as too who gets carried! But I cheated today, I have my old Delta Elite ridin shotgun. Dale

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"Long live the S&W 3rd. Gen.!"

I'm 32 and have been shooting a short time. Wen I received my LTC the only thing available new was polymer pistols as far as semi autos. For me I didn't even know the difference until I signed up here. I did buy a model 432 wheel gun though... . Then I read on here and learned quite a bit and picked up a 3rd gen 6946 and a couple 39-2's as well as some plastic. To me, nothing beats a fine tuned revolver or the 39-2.

Another factor to consider is that few shooters are even exposed to classic firearms nowadays.

Someone who never handles a metal piece might wonder why they should spend $100 on top of the price of a Glock 17 to get a gun which takes two less in the mag and weighs more. A telling comment came from the gray-haired rangemaster of the downtown pistol range :the statement was that the last time he laid eyes on a S&W 5900 series handgun was 7 odd years ago.
Last time I hit the public firing line the only other shooter with a metal pistol was a chick plinking with a .22LR Ruger.

SWshooter, you will Love the 645 when you get it, I just got one approx a month ago,man they are sweet. I like both the poly and the steel. If it was a gun that had to go to war with the steel 645 would be the one to take, it's my home defensive weapon. To carry I like the poly guns.

My shooting partner for the last 6 months has been my 19-y.o. daughter. I believe she has a real appreciation for the "older" stuff. When she first started she had a real flinch with my Hi-Power. Believe it or not we used the DAO 3953 to cure her flinch. (It really did work. Kinda cool, huh?) When we go lately, we are both concentrating more on the M&P9c and Shield - for her because they are the newest in the stable and for me because they are for carry and I am working on proficiency. But she loves plinking away with the S+W M18 revolver, loves shooting the 1911 when we can afford it, and if you asked her she would not hesitate to tell you her favorite gun of all is my M65 3" "Ladysmith". (The name may have something to do with it!) So how about that; a TEENAGER... a GIRL.... and not only is her favorite made of steel...it's an ancient WHEELGUN!

(If anyone is keeping track I should add that currently, even though I now actually own 3 polymer handguns, my favorite would be the Hi-Power or the Ladysmith, although she might say my favorite revolver has to be the standard 3" M65 because the Ladysmith is hers!)

I am an old guy who collects old guns, but my carry piece of choice is an FNH FNP .45. No "old steel and wood" can match the 15+1 capacity and ambidextrous controls of the FNP. There is a big difference between what one shoots for recreation and what one carries for protection.

olds442guy, a new Colt Gold Cup Trophy is a very high quality gun, but, if you really want to show some class at the range, buy a Pre-Series 70 Gold Cup. The quality is very high and the fit and finish are near Pre-war levels. Next best would be a Series 70 Gold Cup. If you happen to win the lottery, buy a Pre-War National Match for the ultimate Colt target pistol.

If you take any of my advice, I take no responsibility for ruining your financial future. It is your choice whether to take that first "drink." If you do and need addiction counseling, come over to the Colt forum for company with others suffering from the same addiction.

Judge,

Isn't that FNP just the giggles? Only slightly fatter than a 1911 and weighs the same when they're both loaded. But it's seven + one vs. fourteen + one for me. I think John Browning would like it.

But you're right 18, plastic has no soul. *sigh*.


Cat

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Think for yourself.