Selecting a Pistol

“What kind of pistol should I buy?” This is a question that is asked every day at ITTS.

First and foremost, there is no one pistol which is right for everyone. You are all different and so are pistols. A person’s individual physical characteristics are not to be disregarded. A pistol which does not fit the hand and which you fight at every turn will not stead you well. Unfortunately, those who sell guns may not necessarily know how to work them properly, with the spin off being that they don’t realize which handgun will be the best for you, personally.

Aside from the factor of a properly fitted handgun, there is the degree to which you are willing to train. I may personally favor the ITTS 1911 pistol that we designed, but all 1911’s require the user to work to understand how to safely and effectively manipulate it. A Glock may be the most straight forward proposition in terms of a semi-automatic. There are no de-cocking levers, no thumb safeties and no grip safeties – hence, why we primarily rent Glocks to our new students. Revolvers can also be used if that is all one has, but a semi-automatic that is well made will outperform it in many areas. (To be discussed further in the next newsletter)
The best solution if you are just entering into the realm of gunfighting, is to attend one of our basic classes and use one of our pistols. In this manner you can physically experience the proper manipulation of the pistols, and we can guide you as to which one might best ‘fit’ you. This is something I never had access to years ago and so, like many others, I bought this pistol and that pistol and wasted time and money when I shouldn’t have needed to. The same can be accomplished for any of our classes using any of the weapons systems as long as you make sure to notify us of your individual needs before the class so we can make sure to reserve the appropriate gun for you.
In terms of caliber, I would say that it is best to start off with a caliber such as 9mm with which you can learn to control the pistol and then advance to perhaps a .45 if it suits you. Some individuals want to start right off with the .45 and that may work as well depending on a variety of factors. .44 Magnum’s and such are not practical calibers for self-defense as no one really practices with them. If you’re a bona fide movie star they work and if not… well!
How about a personal example of a tool that I’ve heard is absolutely great, but I’m probably not ready for… Brett gave me a brand new computer! This is the equivalent of a student who is brand spanking new to shooting, who gets their hands on a beautiful new custom 1911 pistol which they’ve heard is the only way to go.
I pretty much write on the computer and that’s it. I’m not allowed to figure out the internet as too many toys which I really don’t need would inevitably wind up coming our way. This new computer is very snazzy with all kinds of buttons and gizmo’s and icons my old computer never had. It’s driving me Bat@#$%!!! Every time I go to hit a key which I’m very used to – I hit the wrong key! I can usually bang out a paragraph in fairly good order, but this is now taking 10 times longer when I have to correct each friggin’ letter…twice! Hold on…….okay….I just hit save and it took me half an hour to get back to the document so that I could finish the sentence. I’d rather be changing typewriter ribbon.
Now this frustration I’m experiencing towards my new tool, and the sense of “I’m never using one of these damn things again,” is much what a new student may experience if they purchase and train with a pistol that doesn’t suit them. We don’t want this to happen. Fortunately mistakes on a computer can be undone… out on the range they cannot. Let us help you make the right choice.