Old Wheel Gunners Conversion to Semi Auto

[stanmerrell]

Good topic. For me having sons made it easier for me to transition. Both my boys took to Glocks and other automatics quickly. I like the CZ and Glock and S&W 2.0 now. Mentally though it was a difficult change until my boys started bringing them on range trips and I could see the utility first hand.

 

[hyena]

about the only platform that is "safe" is DAO, whether it's a revolver or semi auto. wish Smith would bring out a larger sized Body Guard with 10+1 and a good trigger.

That's what I'm waiting for, too. A Bodyguard Plus. S&W has to be losing Bodyguard sales to the LCP Max. I can even live with the existing trigger. I've gotten used to it.

 

[54ball]

A problem with SA, DA/SA, or a striker fired pistol with all the safeties on the trigger, like a Glock is the potential for an officer after a shoot trying to holster his pistol with his finger still inside the trigger guard. With the heavier and longer trigger pull of a DA trigger, that's much less likely to end in a negligent discharge.

But, it's also a training issue. If you train someone to place their thumb over the front of the hammer with an SA pistol, after putting the safety lever to the safe position, it's both redundant and builds muscle memory for an entirely different grip on the pistol when reholstering.

As usual, nice comments So-Dak ...

With the striker guns there is significantly a less margin error vs a double action revolver and even a 1911 to a point. The guns have gone off in the holster.
In one case, I can assume clothing ... (T-shirt must have have been wadded around the trigger.)...the guy was just walking around and Pow!!! Previously he was sitting, he got up and was walking when the gun went off in his appendix holster. It's on Youtube.

I know firsthand of two cases where toddlers have found automatics. One found a small .32 in the bedroom drawer.
Another one found his dad's Glock under the driver's seat of his pickup truck. The dad was detailing his truck and was...."right there".
One was a miracle, the other.... unspeakable in the horror.

These little ones pull the trigger with both thumbs with the muzzle facing their face or body.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not advocating complacency with a revolver as far as gun handling and discipline.
The fact remains though, if those two toddlers had found revolvers, what happened would have been much less likely. At least they would have had more of a chance...Maybe some more time.

My main point is simply this...These automatics are less forgiving.
Train, train, train....
And always keep up with the dang thing. Always, there is little to no margin of error.

 

[Buford57]

I made the transition from DA revolver to DA/SA auto when I made detective in 1984. I would have much preferred DAO, but none was available. It was easy enough, but I was younger then and shooting several hundred rounds per month.

 

[URIT]

I carried a revolver on the job for over 33 years. I bought over a dozen different TDA and DAO pistols to transition from revolver to pistol.

After considerable range and training time, I settled on a DAO option for my primary EDC - a Model 3953. I also like my DAO Model 4053 when I rarely want to up my carry caliber.

My reasoning was the DAO pistol's manual of arms was like my revolvers and the TDA might create a personal issue at crunch time.

 

[teletech]

Personally I have always thought the Glock (and similar) was an easier transition for revolver shooters. My agency (Cal Dept of Corrections) was thinking seriously about the question when I retired 17 years ago. They just finished the conversion last year. They did end up going with Glock. The transition class was only two days, very inadequate IMHO. Then again a hand gun is not a primary weapon for prison cops, we used long guns primarily.

Going from a really nice trigger on a good revolver to the pretty trash trigger on your average Glock would not be a thing I'd wish on a shooting enthusiast.

There are some good DA/SA options out there, go to a store or show and give them a try for trigger and how they point.

I found the CZ-75 to be comfortable, but the basic versions have pretty trash triggers as well. The better grades can have outstanding triggers.
The various SIGs tend to have long resets but pretty good triggers, I don't happen to like how they fit my hands.
1911 is a solid performer and has that classic gun vibe, but it does mean bucking decades of training to get used to something with a safety.

 

[DR505]

I carried a S&W Model 27, a 1911, and various Glocks over my career. I did not find transitioning between them difficult at all. Just train; it doesn't matter how old you are. I also had a Remington 870, an MP-5/10, and an M-4. They never confused me either. Just make sure you train with what you are going to use.

 

[Jebus35745]

Been carrying since Ohio passed the Conceal Carry law. Always carried a revolver either a 642 or had a 3" full lug .327 K frame built by Andy Horvath. Now I carry a Sig 365 in 9mm, twice the capacity of a k and not as bulky. Larry

 

[oldiegoldie]

never had a problem transitioning from a Roy Rogers cap pistol to a Dick Tracy cap gun. loved the smell of cap powder in the morning.

 

[RoyM52]

Personally , I like the DAK trigger system. No De-cocker to learn, Basically a flat , fast re-loading , higher capacity , hammer fired revolver.

Also , unlike a revolver, it can be placed with a full mag and an empty chamber so you can't just pull the trigger {Think kids and sock drawer}} It would take some hand strength to rack the slide.{the P 220 in 45 more so than the 9 mm } Safer storage of a mostly ready firearm. {safer than a revolver, unless both are completely unloaded} Smooth revolver like trigger. Just shoot it like you do a revolver.

 

[chief38]

After carrying a M60 for 40+ years I transitioned to a Sig P365. It has a pretty descent trigger - similar to a DA revolver but the pull weight is about 5.5 lbs. and is as simple as it gets to operate. No manual safety, no SA/DA so it is as close to a Revolver as one can get.

It is essential for one to become extremely familiar with any new EDC! When holstering the P365 (or ANY Glock or modern DA pistol with a round in the chamber) one must remember that the trigger pull is less than half of what the old DA Revolver was and caution must be exercised while doing so. These new guns won't go off by themselves - but we must remember trigger pulls are different!

I personally don't like the SA/DA type pistols for EDC. As we age we have enough to deal with, practice with and learn that we don't need a more complicated firearm. I like the K.I.S.S. concept and practice often. The only thing I want to have to remember in a time of need (hope it never happens - but we must be prepared) is to simply aim and pull the trigger. Don't want to worry or think about DA/SA, safeties, lasers, optics, etc. Deploy and pull - simple.