Having spent the majority of my adult life using handguns, both at work and for enjoyment, I have learned and observed quite a bit. I recieved excellent training. Much of it from folks who had BTDT. And I had an great, experienced training officer who kept me from hurting myself, or others, early on in my career.
In retirement, I have spent a few years providing handgun training as an instructor at the local range - absolutely the BEST job I have ever had/I can't believe they paid me to do it - and for the last four years employed selling guns to the public at a local high end gunshop. And I have observed/learned some more things that I will share here.
First though allow me to save some folks some time. If you believe that the dreaded DA/SA is an insurmountable problem or detriment to accurate marksmanship, hit your back button now. If you believe a "manual safety will get you killed!" hit that back button. And if you believe that firearms companies are today "...making some of the finest handguns ever made!" hit your back button. Thanks!
Now, to those of you left here, please feel free to drift this thread in any direction you wish! There will be more than one topic discussed and more than one sacred cow gored.
I spent 18 months teaching tiny housewives, many who had never fired a handgun, how to shoot. The vast majority, I taught how to use a DA/SA pistol. They loved the 39XX series guns BTW. Those little women managed to learn how to transition from a DA first shot to the second and subsequent SA shots in a few mags worth of practice. They had no problems with it. They didn't shed any tears or wail in frustration and not one of them tried to throw the first DA shot "..into the dirt..". They listened, learned and became proficient. The even LIKED it. I am embarrassed for those who espouse the DA to SA transition to be anything more than a training issue.
Many of the customers who come into the shop, to buy their first gun, come in with little if any experience actually shooting a firearm. I send them to the local range to try a bunch of different guns and to get some basic firearms training. Yes, ours is a different kind of gunshop. We are not on commision and the owner has told us and quite a few customers that he doesn't care if they buy a gun. He hired us for what we know and have done/demonstrated. He wants customers questions answered and for them to have a good experience. Because if they do, they will come back, maybe make a purchase and perhaps tell one or two friends about the shop. Interesting business model. That works.
Many who come into the shop, come in with information gained from movies, TV and the internet. A few read something in a gunrag. The gunrags seem to be going extinct. Not particularly a bad thing IMO, as it has been many years since I read an honest evaluation of a firearm in one.
One of the myths they come in with is the one about "...a safety will get you killed!" BS. A lack of training and familiarity with your chosen handgun, combined with a lack of situational awareness and poor tactics will get you killed. A manual safety is the number one item requested by new shooters. It gives them confidence that the gun will be rendered safe. And it is an OPTIONAL device. Use it if you want, or holster the gun and turn it back to the ready to fire position. Choice is good. So is a manual safety.
49 years of carrying and being around others who are armed. I never saw anyone who died because of a manual safety. But I have seen four who shot themselves in the buttocks/leg while reholstering striker fired pistols with no manual safety.
And the other thing folks want is a light weight gun.......in 50 cal......that holds at least 100 rounds........and costs $200 OTD.
Back in the day, we lifted weights and ate Wheaties. We also wore gunbelts - purpose built with internal reinforcement and good holsters. Made of leather. Today, the "high tech" plastic holsters are what people want. I encourage them to try one first. And avoid the cheap ones that flex, badly, right out of the bag. And I suggest they buy a gunbelt rather than hanging the Kydex holster on that dress belt.
With a real gunbelt and a decent holster, a 4506-1 is no more difficult to carry than any other gun. And it is easily concealed too. Especially if you dress around the gun. I have surprised more than one person by drawing a 4506-1 from under a golf shirt, carried in a Galco IWB leather holster. I especially enjoy it if they have just espoused how "nobody can conceal a big gun!"
Anyways, those are a few of the things I have seen and observed. Someone warned me to never work selling guns if you are a firearms enthusiast. They were absolutely right! What passes for a decent gun thesedays is appalling. There is practically no QA/QC done. By anyone. Lousy triggers, poor finishes. Disgraceful.
A good trigger is a primary foundation to accurate marksmanship. Period. I read someone who alleged to be a moderator on a gun board state "...a good trigger is a crutch!". No Sparky. A good trigger helps refine sight picture, without disturbing it. Enabling you to break an accurate shot. End of story.
So, discuss amongst yourselves. The 4506-1 and I have to go to work. Regards 18DAI
In retirement, I have spent a few years providing handgun training as an instructor at the local range - absolutely the BEST job I have ever had/I can't believe they paid me to do it - and for the last four years employed selling guns to the public at a local high end gunshop. And I have observed/learned some more things that I will share here.
First though allow me to save some folks some time. If you believe that the dreaded DA/SA is an insurmountable problem or detriment to accurate marksmanship, hit your back button now. If you believe a "manual safety will get you killed!" hit that back button. And if you believe that firearms companies are today "...making some of the finest handguns ever made!" hit your back button. Thanks!
Now, to those of you left here, please feel free to drift this thread in any direction you wish! There will be more than one topic discussed and more than one sacred cow gored.
I spent 18 months teaching tiny housewives, many who had never fired a handgun, how to shoot. The vast majority, I taught how to use a DA/SA pistol. They loved the 39XX series guns BTW. Those little women managed to learn how to transition from a DA first shot to the second and subsequent SA shots in a few mags worth of practice. They had no problems with it. They didn't shed any tears or wail in frustration and not one of them tried to throw the first DA shot "..into the dirt..". They listened, learned and became proficient. The even LIKED it. I am embarrassed for those who espouse the DA to SA transition to be anything more than a training issue.
Many of the customers who come into the shop, to buy their first gun, come in with little if any experience actually shooting a firearm. I send them to the local range to try a bunch of different guns and to get some basic firearms training. Yes, ours is a different kind of gunshop. We are not on commision and the owner has told us and quite a few customers that he doesn't care if they buy a gun. He hired us for what we know and have done/demonstrated. He wants customers questions answered and for them to have a good experience. Because if they do, they will come back, maybe make a purchase and perhaps tell one or two friends about the shop. Interesting business model. That works.
Many who come into the shop, come in with information gained from movies, TV and the internet. A few read something in a gunrag. The gunrags seem to be going extinct. Not particularly a bad thing IMO, as it has been many years since I read an honest evaluation of a firearm in one.
One of the myths they come in with is the one about "...a safety will get you killed!" BS. A lack of training and familiarity with your chosen handgun, combined with a lack of situational awareness and poor tactics will get you killed. A manual safety is the number one item requested by new shooters. It gives them confidence that the gun will be rendered safe. And it is an OPTIONAL device. Use it if you want, or holster the gun and turn it back to the ready to fire position. Choice is good. So is a manual safety.
49 years of carrying and being around others who are armed. I never saw anyone who died because of a manual safety. But I have seen four who shot themselves in the buttocks/leg while reholstering striker fired pistols with no manual safety.
And the other thing folks want is a light weight gun.......in 50 cal......that holds at least 100 rounds........and costs $200 OTD.
Back in the day, we lifted weights and ate Wheaties. We also wore gunbelts - purpose built with internal reinforcement and good holsters. Made of leather. Today, the "high tech" plastic holsters are what people want. I encourage them to try one first. And avoid the cheap ones that flex, badly, right out of the bag. And I suggest they buy a gunbelt rather than hanging the Kydex holster on that dress belt.
With a real gunbelt and a decent holster, a 4506-1 is no more difficult to carry than any other gun. And it is easily concealed too. Especially if you dress around the gun. I have surprised more than one person by drawing a 4506-1 from under a golf shirt, carried in a Galco IWB leather holster. I especially enjoy it if they have just espoused how "nobody can conceal a big gun!"
Anyways, those are a few of the things I have seen and observed. Someone warned me to never work selling guns if you are a firearms enthusiast. They were absolutely right! What passes for a decent gun thesedays is appalling. There is practically no QA/QC done. By anyone. Lousy triggers, poor finishes. Disgraceful.
A good trigger is a primary foundation to accurate marksmanship. Period. I read someone who alleged to be a moderator on a gun board state "...a good trigger is a crutch!". No Sparky. A good trigger helps refine sight picture, without disturbing it. Enabling you to break an accurate shot. End of story.
So, discuss amongst yourselves. The 4506-1 and I have to go to work.
Regards 18DAI
Help me produce one HOUSTON RICK amd we will need wheelbarrows to take our money to the bank! 
