Easier to shoot?

[Gary O]

As it turns out I find myself with a tremor as I approach 70 years old. I have a CCW and squeaked by on my shooting test score with my Kahr CW9. I noticed the young man at the bench next to me was just laying his shots into a 6" group no matter what the drill was. He was shooting a full size auto (5"). I began to wonder if the larger autos were just "easier" to control? What say you about that? Thanks...

 

[Zerodefect]

Yes. And the Kahr trigger, while a good trigger, isn't exactly the easiest to shoot trigger style. I've always considered the Kahrs good CCW's, but not high performance pistols.

I always shoot a Glock or 1911 better than my Kahr.

 

[Furncliff]

I'm 70 and I've had a medication induced tremor for years. I shoot full size autos like the 1911 and CZ75b better than I shoot the smaller pistols like the CZ82. I'm sure that the increased weight of the larger pistols dampens the ocillations but I find lots of practice is the biggest factor in better targets.

 

[Gary O]

Should I stay with 9 MM?

 

[bigfatdave]

Yes, a larger pistol is easier to shoot well

You may as well stick to 9x19, and practice more

What's this silliness about a "shooting score" to "qualify" for a constitutional right?
... Sounds like age discrimination.
... ... Probably isn't ADA compliant, either.

 

[mavracer]

Dad went through the same thing, you can certainly stay 9mm its going to be easier to control than bigger rounds and with good ammo is very adequate for SD, I would recommend a smaller service pistol G19, SR9, XD duty or even a Sig P228/229. Watch the weight don't go overboard the other direction too much weight will cause problems too

 

[Gary O]

Commander size?

 

[Zerodefect]

Yes, a larger pistol is easier to shoot well

You may as well stick to 9x19, and practice more

What's this silliness about a "shooting score" to "qualify" for a constitutional right?
... Sounds like age discrimination.
... ... Probably isn't ADA compliant, either.

Open carry is a constitutional right. CCW needs a permit.

And some of the laws require 4 hours or so of range time with an instructor. And range competency is at the whim of the instructor. If I was that instructor, I'd be pretty hard on my requirements to limit liability. And have those limits in print somewhere.

Our limits where to hit the target and to show perfectly safe gun handling. Any failure of the 5 safety rules and anyone had to start over. Take all the time we want, but hit the target. I was hitting bullseyes and headshots all the time, so I sped up just to push myself and maybe have some fun with the range time.

When I had the inevitable flyer, I caught H#(( for it. Which makes sense. No spray and pray, racer boy nonsense. Being responsible for each round down range.

 

[drband]

Commander size?

You should go try some out at your local gun store or range. The commander grip is exactly the same size as the govt. model, making the full size pistol about as easy to conceal. There are other issues to consider with a 1911 for carry, too. If you are comfortable with the platform its a great option. Many folks are not.
For plinking--there's nothing more fun!

 

[JDR]

I suggest that a Springfield Range Officer 1911 or an STI Spartan V 1911, either in 9mm, would be 2 excellent options. Try using some 147 gr. FMJ ammo, I have found there is significantly less muzzle velocity from the larger, slower 147 gr. bullet compared to 115 gr. FMJ ammo, the recoil from a large steel framed 1911 would be significantly less. I have an STI Trojan 9mm 1911 and I only shoot the 147 grain Winchester "T" and Fed AE FMJ jacket ammo, and it is a great, fun range gun!

 

[Teachu2]

Realize that if you are going to get something that's off the roster, you need to do it this month. The SSE will change after then.

 

[Tallball]

Larger heavier guns have less felt recoil. You don't want it to be too large or heavy for you, but smaller and lighter guns will recoil more.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Definitely easier to control.

There's a lot of good options out there too. Time to reasses the equipment.

 

[mavracer]

Commander size?

That would be my recomendation, One I'd look at right now is the FN FNS 9mm they are really trying to push them onto the market right now, several venders have them for ~$400 right now and that's with 3 mags and night sights.

 

[TfflHndn]

There are several good full-size or heavier-than-plastic 9mm pistols that won't cost an arm and a leg, and will shoot well. The Stoegers are all metal and shoot very reliably. The SAR ST10 is a very nice shooter at a good price. I'm sure there are others, but I have found those two in particular to have fairly soft recoil and nice heft while being very reliable for SD purposes. Rent a few at a range and see what you like and shoot well. Good luck.

 

[Chris54326]

Gary O, I'm in the same boat. (coming up on 70 yrs old in June of '15) My carry gun is a Glock 27, which is .40 S&W and I can hold a 2" group at 15 feet rapid fire. My favorite gun, which I'm seriously considering carrying is a Browning Hi-Power in 9mm. At that same distance I can keep 90 % of my rounds in one ragged hold with a few flyers. In personal protection the most important thing, at least to me, is well placed rounds. The Hi-Power is so much easier to shoot and hold because of it's size and lower recoil. I like a full-sized pistol............even though it's not as easy to conceal as my G27. Our state has open carry, so even though I carry concealed, I'm not so worried if it occasionally shows under my shirt tail or prints through the shirt.