I'm starting to practice some krav maga on my own and I'm considering a training gun to add to my practice. In the training DVD's, they recommend the ASP red guns for training. Someone I practice TKD with likes the blueguns for training and says that they are actual weight of the live weapon. I notice that ads for the ASP red guns say "lightweight".

Does anyone have experience with either of these training aids? What are your preferences/recommendations?

For most use, I think the lighter Red Guns are the best choice. The lighter weight reduces injury, both from the flying object and in the retention drills. After you gain some skill, then either the Red Guns at full weight or the Blue guns are good. I personally do not like the color of the Blue guns because I also use the Simunitions Blue guns and I like to have an instant check that there are no live guns in use (yes, Sims are live guns). The few blue guns I have are painted red.

Respectfully,

Jerry

Before I retired, we carried S&W 4006's, and had redguns for training. I carried a Safariland leven 2 holster, and the redgun would not fit into it unless I really backed off the little screw. Then I had to re-adjust it for my "real" pistol. I did not like that. I would prefer one of the bright yellow fake barrels that you replace your real barrel with. Same weapon, same weight, same holster fit, easily seen to be a safe weapon...

Why not train with the actual gun you are going to use or carry? You can buy snap caps (dummy ammo) to cycle the action and fire it with so you don’t damage the firing pin.

People have died doing that......

All the sources I have read/seen say to NEVER train with a live weapon for disarms...no matter what.

And to clarify, I am asking what people prefer/recommend as far as disarming drills, not any other type of drills...no way for me to legally carry in this county if I wanted to anyhow...

Since you are training on your own:

Slow is smooth, smooth is fast.

Go fast and something is going to get hurt.

Not with an empty gun or one with snap caps.

As a prior training officer for a fairly large sheriffs department, we used a heavy blue gun for training. I can’t remember who made them, but I believe we got them thru Galls. They were the exact size, shape, and weight of the actual weapons we carried on duty. I never used real weapons to train with for weapons retention, and disarming techniques. I didn’t use them because, because metal has way less give than your hand does and injury is not a likely with real weapons but a certainty. Make no mistake you can get hurt with the plastic guns too but they have more forgiving on the hands just don’t keep a finger on the trigger or it will get broke. Also the training weapon will be dropped and thrown during the course and me personally, I don’t want my pistol being thrown around hitting the walls and floor all day. I don’t have any experience with the light weight red guns mentioned but using a training gun the same weight and size of actual weapons would be better for you, you may not think so at the end of a long training session but you will if the need arises in the field.

Using a real gun for this sort of practice would violate at least one of the 10 commandments for firearms.

There have been quite a few people who've been killed with "empty" guns. Don't take the chance. As a range officer, I've had at least three incidents where someone with an "empty" gun had an accidental discharge. Thankfully all were in a safe direction.

Guns have a funny way of reloading themselves. OBG, you tell 'em.