[DMK]

Which rimfire is better for a new (adult, not child) shooter?

[Dorrin79]

depends.

;)

are you showing them how to use a handgun or a rifle?

I guess 'generally speaking' a pistol is probably better for a first experience. Most gun newbies are going to get into handguns first anyway (based on my limited experience)

[DMK]

are you showing them how to use a handgun or a rifle?Neither necessarily. Just somebody who's sitting on the fence, never shot before and wants to try shooting "a gun". They are still far from buying something for themselves at this point.

[hksw]

IMO, a bolt action rifle.

Much easier to keep track of concerning muzzle direction, easier to get ahold of if the muzzle starts to wander toward the wrong direction, a little more stable in aiming and hold, easier to control rate of fire when trying to focus on aiming and accuracy (less likely for the new shooter to go trigger happy).

I would, however, also bring along a semi to let the newbie have a little fun.

[Standing Wolf]

Lots of newbies seem to want to start with hand guns. There's nothing wrong with that, but when possible, I like to introduce them to rifles first, if only so they'll understand what the recoil actually is and the inherent difficulty of shooting hand guns accurately.

[Kcustom45]

I voted bolt-action, because it forces them to take time between each shot. I have seen people who have very little experience shooting a semi-auto and they are shoot way to fast (although that is the fun part). Rifles also give people a longer sight radius which makes accuracy that much easier.

A single shot rifle would not be to bad either.

[Brian Dale]

I like the idea of a rifle that gets out of the way and lets the shooter shoot, with most of the attention on the shooting rather than "how to operate the rifle."

I learned with a Stevens Crack Shot, a single-shot, falling-block rifle, pretty much like the 30G Stevens Favorite that Savage makes. It's a FUN little rifle, and it gives a new shooter something that's neither big and heavy, nor small and awkward. Another advantage is that the way it works is completely obvious, and it's easy for somebody who's unfamiliar with weapons to understand. It's either loaded or unloaded, and it's a very friendly system. Put a cartridge in the chamber--Lever goes Up-- Fire--Lever goes Down--Remove case--Insert fresh cartridge--Up-- and so forth. I do not assume that inexperienced people are stupid. Rather, because the rifle is so simple, it LOOKS safe (where safety comes from understanding), and the new shooter can relax and focus on posture, breathing, sight picture and trigger control. My biggest reason for suggesting it, though, is simply that it's such a fun rifle for me to shoot even now, nearly 40 years after my Dad first took me out with it. I ADMIT that I'm biased; I don't mind sharing a happy experience.

If you don't have or want one, OK; a bolt rifle will work just fine -- or a lever-action, for that matter. I also agree with hksw: it's good to take a semiauto along to put more lead downrange after they've seen that they can shoot safely and actually hit things.

[JohnBT]

Short answer: a bolt action or lever. Pistols have a short sight radius.

Long answer:

I usually pick out a handful of guns that have good sights and are reasonably accurate and I ususally take at least one with a scope, too.(Okay, I admit I'm a showoff.) Then I let them choose the order they want to shoot them. Over the years the lever action Mountie has been the first choice of the majority of folks, especially young ladies. The other popular gun is the Single-Six.

Their first experience should be memorable, and not for me telling them what they should shoot. After they try the ones they want they usually pick one to stick with and plink away.

If they want to shoot a 10/22 they're SOL 'cause I don't do 10/22s. :)

John

[MeekandMild]

Savage model 24 with break down receiver and open hammer may be the best. Once they get used to it they can then use the same gun to shoot clays.

[4v50 Gary]

Revolver, DA perferred. You can do ball & dummy that way.

[10-Ring]

I voted bolt action because the shooter has to be very purposeful & deliberate in shooting one.