aandabooks Posted November 26, 2013 Share Posted November 26, 2013 (edited) Little background: I am only 2 matches into shooting USPSA but I love it. My son has been shooting/hunting for about 3 years. Shooting pistols for about 2 years and is a pretty good and handles firearms well. The club I shoot at is primarily older shooters with a few young 20s. My son was a little standoffish about shooting with so many older guys. Last match we had an 11 and 14 year old show up. Said they normally shoot monthly. My son is now much more interested. So with that said he is going to need a gun to use. I just bought myself a XDM9 5.25". He hasn't shot it yet. With my research in buying the SA, I really see 3-5 options for a gun for him to use in production. Here they are with some pro/cons: 1.) Glock 17-under $600, no adjustable sights, lead might be an issue, mags readily available 2.) Glock 34-under $700, adjustable sights, """" 3.) S&W M&P Pro 5"-Can't locate one, adjustable sights, lead not a problem, mags hard to find 4.) S&W M&P 4.25"-Low $500s, no adjustable sights,"". "" 5.) SA XDM 4.5"-Mid $600s, good range gear, mags easy to get, lead not a problem 6.) SA XDM 5.25"-$700s, I already have one so I obviously like it so far Having him shoot my SA may rule 5/6 in or out depending on how he likes it. I'm leaning toward the Glock 17 but I reload alot of lead. If I can't run my reloads that is a huge problem. What way would you all go if you are starting up a 13 year old to shoot USPSA? Edited November 26, 2013 by aandabooks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chirpy Posted November 26, 2013 Share Posted November 26, 2013 I would see if your club has a practice night. If so maybe he can try out some/all of the pistols mentioned. OR you could hope he likes the XD. LEAD thru a GLOCK is a huge NONO no matter what some people say! Richard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirbinster Posted November 26, 2013 Share Posted November 26, 2013 Why just those three platforms? I love using my CZ-75B for competition. Not super expensive, has a grip that is great if your hands are not huge, and is super accurate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
george76904 Posted November 26, 2013 Share Posted November 26, 2013 Or go with one of the EAA witness it's a great platform, they run about $400 for the base gun and can run lead or jacketed bullets. They are very similar to the CZ-75's but generally are cheaper and have larger grips. The EAA witness-es are less common so you might have to do some searching if you are wanting upgrades but if you are running production it's a great out of the box gun! I bought one when I was 13 -2 years ago and have just finished making an open top end for it. Which is another thing about the witnesses I bought mine with a .22 conversion which makes practicing really cheap with the exact same gun! Hope you get a gun you're happy with, Will Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aandabooks Posted November 26, 2013 Author Share Posted November 26, 2013 Hadn't really considered the CZ lineup. Seemed like it would be out of my price range. Might have issues finding magazines in the local area. EAA Witness is a polymer frame gun? My one LGS has a Tanfoglio in a steel frame which I believe is a EAA product, correct? Seems like any of these guns would be a problem with finding accessories locally. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
george76904 Posted November 26, 2013 Share Posted November 26, 2013 Well It depends I have an witness steel frame, but yes ther sre polymer framed witness-es around. YEs unless you were willing to order on the internet I doubt you would be able to find one. I personally dont regret buying mine online, it wasn't actually even hard. I know that there are some people dont want to order firearms online, but I don't mind it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZackJones Posted November 26, 2013 Share Posted November 26, 2013 Buy him a revolver that way he can shoot every division except single stack . What do the other kids there shoot? Perhaps you could meet up with them and find out what they like shooting and why. Regarding the Glock and lead - get a replacement barrel and shoot all the lead you want. I would have to confirm but I believe you can replace the barrel and still shoot production as long as you are replacing the barrel in the same caliber. Regarding the the other models (S&W, etc) check armslist. At least here in my area M&P's show up practically daily. How about a used or inexpensive 1911 such as one of the Rock Island 1911's? He could shoot every division except production with that. You could start him off in single stack or limited 10 with a pistol like that. As a dad that has gotten to shoot matches with all three sons you two are about to have some great times together. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aandabooks Posted November 26, 2013 Author Share Posted November 26, 2013 Both of the other kids were shooting G17s. My son is not a large kid. He has shot my Colt 1911 a couple of times but doesn't handle the recoil of the .45 well. I'll have to make the rounds of my LGSs that I deal with and see what's out there. I'll get him out tomorrow morning to shoot my SA and that will rule that in or out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carmoney Posted November 26, 2013 Share Posted November 26, 2013 I would recommend getting him an 5.25" XDM just like yours. Of the choices you laid out, it's the one best set up for competition shooting anyway. Plus, you don't want to create the perception that he is being provided gear that is inferior to yours, right? And, your guns can serve as back-up guns to each other at matches, in the event that one of you has a gun problem--same holster, mags, ammo, etc. I do not like the idea of handing an EAA Witness, or any other gun that requires the hammer to be manually lowered, to a brand new junior shooter. I started my son out in USPSA when he was 11 with a S&W Model 10 revolver. This is probably not the ideal choice for most junior shooters, but it worked out great for Sam. He's now 20 and an A-class shooter, even though he never practices--nice to be young and fast and still have good eyes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkCO Posted November 26, 2013 Share Posted November 26, 2013 Good advice there. I shoot an M&P9 Pro, and that is what I started my 11 year old on. Same ammo, mags, belt rig, etc. the grip panels are easy to size. So I would say the same pistol you have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chevyoneton Posted November 26, 2013 Share Posted November 26, 2013 I would see how he shoots the XDm in practice. If it works for him get him geared up with holster, belt, mags, pouches, etc. and share the gun at matches. Swap on the line under the command of the RO. As long as the gun is the only thing you are sharing it will not slow the match down at all. Not the sexy, which-gun-do-I-buy answer but the one I would do. Then at some point get him his own XDm, or give him yours and you move to Limited/SS/Revo.,etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nghthwk1911 Posted November 26, 2013 Share Posted November 26, 2013 aandabooks, where are you located? there are always some M&P Pro's around, sometimes you just need to ask the right dealer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hi-Power Jack Posted November 26, 2013 Share Posted November 26, 2013 he is going to need a gun . I just bought a XDM9 5.25". I'd share YOUR gun for the first few matches. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nimitz Posted November 26, 2013 Share Posted November 26, 2013 (edited) Can't go wrong with a G34 and contrary to what others have said you can shot lead thru a Glock without issue, i've shot over 25,000 rds thru my G34 without issue before I got my KKM barrel. You'll need to clean your barrel often and be mindful of leading but other than that you should be fine. Check out the Glock sub forum for a pinned thread about shooting lead thru Glocks ... If that's all that's holding you back than a Glock 34 is a great choice. Never shot an M&P so I can't comment on them ... Edited November 26, 2013 by Nimitz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mag17 Posted November 26, 2013 Share Posted November 26, 2013 Glock 17 or Glock 34... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
george76904 Posted November 27, 2013 Share Posted November 27, 2013 Well I do understand where you are comming from with a EAA Witness there is no automatic de-cocker. So if you are shooting production with it you do need to manually lower the safety. But the whole to a "brand new junior shooter" I dont get, I think it made me more cautious shooter and overall better. I spent countless hours standing in front of a mirror practicing my hammer lowering and doubble action draw for IDPA. I have since switched from IDPA and using SA only. I personally liked the DA/SA of the EAA Witness, but at the end of the day our opinions here on the BE forums dont matter. It is really all about what your son wants to shoot. Thanks, Will Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aandabooks Posted November 27, 2013 Author Share Posted November 27, 2013 I like the suggestion to just get him what I am running to share gear and have backup guns for each other. Problem is that puts me way up in the $700s. My one LGS has one for $780. I only paid $675 OTD for mine. I'll see how he shoots it tomorrow. I talked to my reloading guru about Glocks and he has absolutely no problems running lead in any of his. He didn't recommend buying a Glock though. He pointed me towards SA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mag17 Posted November 28, 2013 Share Posted November 28, 2013 Try a few pistols and see what models you like and feel "right" shooting..... For me, I tried the M&P and I just do not like them.... My production guns are Glock 34, Glock 17, SIG P226 Scorpian, and 1911 S&W (DK in .45 and pro in 9mm).... CZ75 I go back and forth with.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aandabooks Posted November 28, 2013 Author Share Posted November 28, 2013 He shot the XDM this morning. He shot it well once I got him to slow down a bit. Ran ran about 80 rounds this morning. Mostly at 7yards and at least half would have been "A" zone hits. I can't seem to find S&W mags anywhere so I'm leaning toward the XDM to share equipment. The Glock 34 is still in the hunt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetskidawg Posted November 29, 2013 Share Posted November 29, 2013 Have your son try them all and go with the one he likes best. The investment is about the same in the big picture. One thing to consider is the amount of customization you might want to do. Glocks have tons of aftermarket parts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetskidawg Posted November 29, 2013 Share Posted November 29, 2013 Another thing to consider is whether you want to get a .22 conversion for less expensive practice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dkrad1935 Posted November 30, 2013 Share Posted November 30, 2013 Hey - new to the forum. I have a 14 year old son and just bought him a G17. I have a G34 and it's nice that everything is interchangeable. Mags, holsters triggers etc. I would recommend getting him something that would have as much in common with yours as possible. Let's you experiment with holsters etc:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericjhuber Posted December 1, 2013 Share Posted December 1, 2013 Glock, Smith and Wesson, and Springfield all make very fine choices for striker-fired pistols for action shooting. My recommendation would be to bring him to a gun store that does rentals and have him try out some pistols from each of the three brands. The one that causes a chorus of angels to start singing in the background for him is likely the one for him to use. But, yeah, if he shoots your Springfield and doesn't like it, you've narrowed your choices down. You shouldn't have a problem finding someone from your club with a Glock to have him try and I bet there is a decent change someone will be using an M&P also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EkuJustice Posted December 3, 2013 Share Posted December 3, 2013 Don't worry about the sights on the glock as most ditch them anyway fixed or adj. For a glock 17 a police tradein can be had well under 600 and are good guns mechanically but have Been carried Add a set of good sights and the taran tactical connector and springs and run it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjl Posted December 6, 2013 Share Posted December 6, 2013 Palmetto State Armory has new 5.25 XDms for $599. Would eliminate several problems..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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