I took our two interns to the shooting range tonight, first time shooting a pistol for one engineer, 2nd trip for the other. This was after 1-1/2 hours class time on firearm safety and basic operation of DA/SA and striker fired semi-auto pistols.
I also brought an all stainless SIG P-226 9mm, as that is the pistol the second shooter preferred after the first range trip. I had the interns fire off 5 rounds at a time, 7 yards out, 9" paper plate, standing, two hand. 10 rounds per plate, 30 rounds with each gun, total of 60 rounds per engineer, 10 rounds per plate, 6 plates each.
I intentionally had the new shooter try the P-10C first. First 10 shots, 2 off the plate, rest scattered on the plate. 2nd plate on, all rounds on the plate with both guns. The last plate was 10 rounds in 4" in the middle of the plate. Excellent, just excellent. She said she preferred the P-10C over the heavier P-226 and her only gripe was that the magazines were harder to load than the Sig's. She was really really happy with the P-10C. No comments about the mag release or the slide release.
To me, this experiment was very useful. It confirmed what I already thought was the case, that the simpler, ambidexterous polymer P-10C would be the viewed very favorably by a first time shooter, at least if the pistol was loosened up just a bit first.
Now this was a good range trip! Very positive comments from the new shooter after shooting the P-10C. The 4.5 lb striker trigger didn't bother the new shooter at all. They didn't have any trouble racking the slide or dropping the magazines. Loading new magazines is always hard for a new shooter, so I don't think that is too much of a negative.
Next range trip, they can try the P-07 and maybe a P-09, but I am pretty sure they will want the P-10C back. I only got to put 10 rounds through it today myself, but I was busy.
Joe
