[n00b_71]

I walked into a gun shop and told the man behind the counter that I was interested in learning about firearms. He was in his seventies, his mouth wrinkled from decades of smoking. He wore with a plaid shirt and steel-rimmed glasses.

"Well, what have you fired?" he asked with a drawl.

"Nothing" I replied, "I've never even handled a gun."

He scratched his head and furrowed his brow. "Best to start with a .22 revolver, I suppose. We can sell you one for about $300."

"But I REALLY don't know what I am doing." I said.

"Best to go with a friend to a shooting range. They won't let you shoot if you're alone and you don't have your own gun."

"I don't really have any friends who have any shooting experience."

"Hmm."

"So I can't learn more until I buy one, and I don't want to buy one until I learn more. Kind of like a chicken-or-the-egg situation."

"Yeah." He furrowed his brow again.

After an awkward pause I said: "Okay then ... I'll just have a look around."

"Let me know if you need anything." He replied and walked off.

So I left empty-handed and thought to myself: "The people of the web will help me!" So I found this forum and read a bit. You guys seem to know your stuff.

I learned that the NRA has basic pistol courses. Do you think I should start there?

Also I found this one:
http://www.allsafedefense.com/Courses/AllSafeHandgun.htm
which is near me. Is there any advantage to taking a NRA course vs. an independent one like this?

If I do buy a handgun, I am probably going to want just that one, as opposed to a mini-arsenal locked up in my closet. So if I only own one, I would want it to be reliable with decent stopping power. But I understand that I must crawl before I can walk. Should I really buy a .22 first? I was thinking I could rent one at a range and work my way up to a 9mm, then a .38 then a .40 etc.?

Also: I come from an ultra-liberal family so please don't tell my parents that I might be giving money to the NRA. :)

Thanks in advance for your advice!

[larbhills]

I guess if I was in your shoes, I would try to visit a range where you could try different guns and find one that suits you. What do you want the gun for? People will chime in if you elaborate. Buy a gun that suits you, take a course that will qualify you for a concealed weapons permit, get your permit and take time to practice.

[n00b_71]

For target shooting and home defense.

[KodiakBeer]

Yes, you really should buy a .22 first.

Any independent course is based on the NRA standards, so it shouldn't matter. The important thing is to get the training.

[tuckerdog1]

Some depends on what you're wanting the gun for. Plinking fun at the range, or self defense. A 22 is a good gun to start with. Ammo is cheap, so you can get in a lot of practice. Also, recoil is very low, so it can help you get used to shooting a gun without developing some bad shooting habits. Some of the heavy calibers might even put you off to shooting if you start there.

But it would be a bit of a shame to buy a 22, if your intended use is self defense, and you serious about having only 1 gun. You'd just have to sell it and move up later. Although having a 22 for inexpensive practice, AND a larger gun is not a bad thing:D

You don't mention where you live. You may not know anyone that shoots. But there may be somebody here ( on THR ) that might be willing to take you to the range & let you try different guns. I'd expect you'd need to supply the ammo.

Tuckerdog1

[larbhills]

Okay. For target shooting and self defense I would give in to the fact that you should have two guns. I have several "pairs" and I feel like you can't beat this option. First, figure out what you want for self defense. If it's a revolver, also buy a revolver in 22 long rifle that is similar. If you decide on a semiautomatic pistol, buy a 22 pistol that is similar. Practice some with your self defense gun and also try to wear the 22 out. It works for me.

[BullfrogKen]

You're in California?

You ought to have no problems finding a place there to learn. There's enough of a population to support industries like ranges that rent guns for target shooting at their facility by the hour.


When I find people in your shoes locally, I encourage them to go to a gun club. You don't need to own a gun to join a gun club. Go out to a meeting, use your social skills, and make some friends. Make it known what you're there for, and ask for help. If you find that you like the place and the people, join. The ones in my area are inexpensive, all under $100.00 annually to join, most hovering around $50.00/year.



Oh, and you don't have to buy a .22 first. But it sure helps with the learning curve.

[msiley]

If you really want a hand gun, you want only one and you have little experience. I would go with a modern 9mm like a Glock. 9mm is relatively cheap to shoot, adequate for self defense, and has a mild recoil. Glock 19 would be my choice for you. Others will chime in and say their favorite model and some will say revolver first before semi-auto. But this is my opinion from teaching other first timers how to shoot. When I have them shoot various handguns they invariably stay away from revolvers and really like the semi-auto. Glocks are dead simple to operate, reliable and reasonably priced. Then go get some training.

[Zundfolge]

... having a 22 for inexpensive practice, AND a larger gun is not a bad thing:D

+1

If you want to stick with one gun then a .357mag revolver (which you can also shoot cheaper/lighter shooting .38) or a 9mm semi auto would be my first suggestion.

Inexpensive to feed for plenty of practice (especially the 9mm) but still powerful enough for self defense.

I'll second the Glock 19 as well (although I like the Smith & Wesson M&P a little better).

What kind of budget do you have?

[Waywatcher]

Nothing about being Liberal means anti-gun. My parents don't own any guns, and don't really like me owning them, and they are not liberal. I no longer live with them, but the point is the same.

I don't even own a .22, my best advice is to buy whatever gun interests you the most, because it will keep you interested the most. I bought a .22 first because I was told "it's just what you do" and quickly discovered it was boring. I then moved on to 9mm and .38 handguns and haven't looked back.

Although I will recommend keeping the gun to a "standard" caliber, say 9, 40, 45, 38, etc.

Caliber is a real non-issue, just make sure you can:
A.) Find the ammo where you want to buy it.
B.) Afford the ammo in the amount you are going to use it.

For me this means 9mm/.38special, cheap and easy to come by.

[mustang_steve]

I would strongly consider if you were to buy "one gun" to get a fullsize 9mm Parabellum (aka 9mm Luger). A S&W Sigma would be an inexpensive and reliable option in this case....a used Glock may also be up your alley, as a good one may be found for just under $400 these days.

Reason is this: it's suitable for defense, ammo is readily availible and is the least expensive handgun ceterfire cartridge you can get. you would have to be certain to not "prepare" for recoil however, as that will mess up accuracy.

for that reason, a .22 is the best caliber to get started, but it's not as suitable for defense, as it would take a precise hit or many hits in a very focused area to drop an assailant.

[Cosmoline]

I would not buy ANY repeat ANY handgun for your first firearm and first shooting experience. Buy a .22 RIFLE. Even a simple used single shot will do, and those can be had for under $100. It's far easier to be safe with the rifle and a much better platform to learn fundamentals. The handgun has a shorter barrel, the potential trickiness of getting it cocked on single action, and is much more difficult to shoot accurately than a rifle.

[Shadow 7D]

Go rent some guns from the local range, and I kinda feel for the old LGS guy, remember what the media and politicians all say about guns... esp in ****,

Imagine you go to a liqueur store or car lot and say, I know nothing about this and have no clue and won't buy because I know I don't know, he threw a starting point at you and you didn't bite.

either you are going to get a guy who will spend an hour explaining or you are going to get a guy who don't feel like wasting his time. Spend the money and time, go to classes, stay away from the 'tactikool' bs. Learn the basics, buy a book or GO TO YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY. NRA is a good starting point. save the gun money for when you know what to do with it.

[craneman]

I take it you are from Orange County here in California. There are tons of places to go learn and meet some really good folks that will be helpful. I am also a member at CalGuns.net, and there is a huge amount of info there that will be helpful in your situation and location. I live in North San Diego co, so its less than an hour drive from you. If you wanted to learn more, I would be willing to teach you handgun safety, range rules, and let you go shooting with me at the local indoor range. I have a fair variety of handguns to choose from. A .22 caliber that I taught my kids to shoot with would be a good starter. I am not an NRA instructor, but have about 35 yrs of shooting experience, so I am not new either.

[KodiakBeer]

The deal with a .22 is that you can shoot 500 rounds for under $20. It pays for itself. It's a trainer, not a defense pistol.

Once you've shot five or ten thousand rounds you'll be a competent shooter. That's when you should decide on what defense pistol you want, and that's when you'll have the experience basis to make a good decision based on your needs, desires, ergonomics, whatever.

I've been shooting handguns for 35 (40?) years. I still shoot far more .22 than large calibers. Why? Because it's affordable. If I only shot .45's (my chosen caliber) then I'd only shoot about 1/10th as many rounds. And I wouldn't be as good a shooter.

So, get that .22 and start shooting. Worry about a defense pistol later.

[Hanzo581]

I have seen many people on this site recommend the Ruger P95 as the perfect starter gun, and I would tend to agree, they are cheap, reliable and shoot affordable 9mm (sub $10 a box at Walmart).

$299 shipped.

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/21_49_75/products_id/18161

[Ike R]

I would take Craneman up on his offer n00b, good way to be Crane! Very High Road!

[luigi]

Should I really buy a .22 first?

I don't know if anyone's mentioned it but many full sized semi autos, such as the CZ75B, offer a .22 LR conversion kit. Perhaps that would be a solution

[3:00hold]

Start with a .22 that is as close to what you eventually want as possible. If you have absolutely no idea whatsoever - meaning you don't know if you don't want a pistol, revolver, rifle, or shotgun, and you want it for defense and target shooting, I'd say you should end up with a .357 revolver.

You will be able to start with a .22 that is very similar, then once you move up, you can practice with 38 spl for short money. I'm assuming you're not going to wake up one day and love guns, and revolvers tolerate being unloved a little better than pistols. Plus for defense, revolvers are more simple.

The only negative I see with revolvers for home defense is that I like lights on HD handguns and most revolvers don't come with rails.

Good luck.

[gdesloge]

Have you considered finding a qualified and recommended instructor and hiring him to schedule a range session with a good selection of his guns?

You should NOT teach yourself how to shoot. You should NOT teach yourself about gun safety.

A competent instructor will start with the basics of safety and gun handling.

I would not want to be the person at the range at the same time that you are teaching yourself to shoot.

I would not buy a gun until I had gained practical experience with an experienced instructor, otherwise you will not understand what the gun should be doing and what you should be doing.

Compare this experience with driving. You could teach yourself to drive (and I mean from ZERO experience, never even having seen a car being operated), but that would be a bit too much excitement for most people.

Find a well-recommended instructor and start there for your learning and advice.

gd

[JellyJar]

Getting a .22 handgun, especially a revolver, is a good idea. Also, might think about getting a mid size .357 mag handgun understand that you don't have to shoot .357 mag in it. You can shoot standard 38 special ammo and they even make a very mild 38 spl target load call the 38spl target semiwadcutter. Very easy to shoot out of a fairly good size revolver.

Many shooting ranges have intro classes for people like you. Shoot different handguns and get basic training at the same time.

[52grain]

If your friends and family aren't into guns the only other options that I can see are:
-Coworkers (Since you're in California you may not want to bring this up at work)
-A formal course (especially if the instructor will lend/rent a gun for use during the course)
-Local club (as mentioned above)
-See if you can find a local range that rents guns (someone here may be able to help), call the range and ask the safety officer if they know of any instructors that could give a few lessons.

I would not purchase a gun until you have fired one first, if you can help it. If you can rent a .22 rifle for a while (or purchase one and sell it later) that would be the way to go.

[KodiakBeer]

I would take Craneman up on his offer n00b, good way to be Crane! Very High Road!

That sounds like a great idea!

[Azb]

My local range rents guns and has a first time pistol shooter course for $200. That should get you started. After learning safety and the basics of shooting with a few different guns, you should have a better idea what you want to buy.

Az

[jeepguy]

i agree if you post your state their might be someone here that could help you. that class also looks like a good place to start. if you want a .22 you could always get a sig two step .22 & later get the conversion in the caliber you want. this way you still have options. i took two guys at work shooting who are new to shooting & they ended up getting 9mm ruger's for $3oo or so. they are both happy with them. i would also recomend a 9mm also, ammo is cheep & recoil is not bad. after you have been shooting for awhile, you will have a better idea of what caliber & what model you want. welcome to thr & good luck to you. ps. i didn't see craneman's verry generous offer i would definitely take him up on it. i agree that is verry high road of you craneman.

[shockwave]

If you aren't interested in building a collection of guns, then a .357 revolver will meet your needs. Shoot .38 spl with it to develop accuracy and confidence, load with .357 for defense. Simple, straightforward, and rock solid.

Do take the NRA safety course to learn about the weapon, ammo, procedures, and maintenance.

To get you started:

1. Assume any gun is loaded unless you personally verify otherwise

2. Never point a gun at anything you aren't willing to shoot

3. Know your target and your backstop

[armoredman]

Go with the craneman's offer, if you can. I also agree the CZ75 with the Kadet Kit is a great tool, 9mm and 22lr on the same frame, love mine, but for a brand new shooter, not really my first suggestion.
Find a rental range, and find what YOU like, not what we like. Welcome to a big new world!

[SharpsDressedMan]

You can purchase a .22LR conversion for many handguns, and Glock is one of them. There are conversons for Glocks from Ciener or Advantage Arms. I have used a Ciener unit designed for na Colt 1911 patter gun, and it worked fine, and will give you lots of practice for a lot less money. If you bought one for your choice of handgun, you would only need one gun to shoot .22 for practice, and whatever caliber you chose your defensive gun in.

[Grey_Mana]

For readers of this thread who don't live near craneman, I'd recommend either taking an introductory NRA course (like NRA First Steps, or NRA Basic Pistol), or emailing a local gun club. Many clubs will invite you out and get you oriented for free or for little money.

Hunting classes are also a good way to start; they cover the basics. Some classes are online (California's, I think) and there are many in person classes offered.

Remington had 3 great online classes, but they seem to be gone.

Maryland has a nice online class for pistol safety that will get your feet wet. (http://mdgunsafety.com/ ; you can also find the same site through http://www.maryland.gov/ if you would prefer to begin at a .gov site).

[leadcounsel]

First, welcome!

I bet if you went to the local gun range and asked several people you'd find someone that was willing to teach you to shoot, assuming you paid for the ammo and even a few bucks to use their guns. Heck I'm always willing to help new shooters get into the sport or self defense. More than happy to help.

You can also pay for introductory classes which are definately useful and not very expensive.

The recommendation for a defensive handgun frankly depends on many factors, including whether you're a man or a woman and your build, strength, and athleticism and ability/willingness to practice.

For someone that is going to practice very little or has very little handstrength, buy a $300 .38 caliber 4" barrel revolver, like a used S&W, a Taurus, or a Ruger. Plenty of firepower for home defense. Almost dummy proof. Easy to use. Plain Jane.

For a beginner who is someone stronger (hand strength is important for racking the slide on a semi-auto), bigger, dedicated to learning, etc. I would recommend a user friendly 9mm like a Glock or CZ75 with a 4" or 5" barrel for home defense. Very easy to use and the more you practice the better you'll get. They are more complicated than revolvers but have many advantages over revolvers. You can get a good setup for $500. Then practice practice practice. It is VERY easy to make friends at the gun range. Just be open and talk to folks.

[stickhauler]

Well, let me apologize for us all for the way this dude treated you. More of the gun community would welcome you with open arms than would discourage you. This guy's whole focus seemed to be on sales, not training. Most all gun dealers I know of encourage new shooters, and have at least a list of trainers to offer you if you're inexperienced with guns. Most decent ranges I know of also have range officers while firing is going on, and have a cadre of instructors to offer new shooters.

But since you have no experience, find a range that does have instructors available. Contact one and ask that they bring some of their guns along when you get your training. Every instructor I know has a large number of guns, and are more than happy to show them off. A gun that meets the needs of one person may well be the biggest piece of crap to the next shooter. For you to become comfortable with a gun, it has to feel right in your hand. If you're not comfortable with it, you ain't gonna like the experience at all, and your efforts to learn to shoot will be in vain.

If your interest is only target shooting, a .22 may well be a great choice. If you want a gun for self defense, or home defense is your aim, a minimum of a 9 mm is likely the best choice. For a new shooter, a revolver tends to be a better choice, it's simple to operate, and it's either ready to shoot or it ain't.

The best of luck in learning about shooting, and owning a gun. Knowing how to operate one safely is the first thing to learn, and always practice. Getting the skills to shoot accurately consistently comes with practice.

[mnrivrat]

I am the introduction to firearms person for our gun shop. I would hope that most shops have someone who will take the time (whether paid or not) to spend a little time with a person such as the OP to introduce them to the basics or firearms.

I spend between one and two hours doing that without charge unless the person also wants to do a little shooting in the range. (range and ammo cost)I realize that not every shop can afford to do that - the reason ours can is because I volenteer that time. I think there are retired folks available who would enjoy doing as much for most gun shops if asked.

From there we offer a basic firearm course with a certified intructor. A beginers course which takes about 6 hours and cost $65 to attend.

[jhallrv4]

I've bought two guns without firing them first. I've sent both of them on their way.
Shoot everything you can before you plunk down the cash.
The NRA basic pistol course includes the new edition of the handbook, it's great. Tells you everything you could want to know about both revolvers and pistols. The NRA basic pistol course will also teach all you need to know to get started, safely. It includes lessons on aiming, trigger control, and other fundamentals. Fundamentals are CRITICAL to good shooting.

Jeff

[Daveboone]

I agree totally with Cosmoline. A handgun (any handgun) although preferable for a compact hideable self defense arm, is the most difficult firearm to become proficient with and to handle safely. A .22 rimfire rifle, preferably single shot or bolt action - or even a quality pellet gun, will allow you inexpensive practice at indoor ranges (in the case of a pellet gun, even your own basement), and greatly simplify the basics of gun handling and using the sights. Even if you are not interested in hunting, a local hunters safety course teaches alot on safe gun handling and will familiarize you with different types of firearms.
A handgun safety course (check your local newspapers sporting columns, or even give the local outdoor editor a call for info) will also give you familiarity and gun handling safety standards that will help familiarize you with different arms and thier safe handling.
Deciding to own a firearm is a big responsibility and privelige, dont jump into it. Like owning a dog, before you get one make sure you are dedicated to learning to take care of it...and to learn to use it safely and competently.

[Starter52]

You should definitely start with a .22 caliber gun. Don't go to another caliber until you have learned the basics with the .22 gun.

[nelson133]

Another suggestion would be to find an instructor and pay for a one on one session and have the instructor bring several guns for you to try. Check at gun stores and ranges for the names of instructors and call several. Use your common sense the same way you'd check out any other vendor. Find one who feels right,
If someone presents himself as Joe super bad a**, run away. If someone tells you that you need to get gun A or B and that is the only right gun, you have found a fan boy, run away. The reason that there are so many different sizes and shapes of handguns is that everybody is different and how any given hand gun fits is different.
If you want to start with a .22, there are good r4easons to do so, as listed in previous posts. Get something full size either semiauto or revolver. About $300-$400 should do the trick. There are lots of good ones out there. When I teach newbies to shoot, I always start them with a .22 because the recoil and blast is some much less and they can pick up the fundamentals of shooting much easier. My next step is a full size 9mm, which is a reasonably easy transition.
Unless you are very unusual, you won't stop with one gun, so if you start with a .22, you'll move up. The .22 is not the best self defense caliber, but it beats a sharp word.

[stickhauler]

I am the introduction to firearms person for our gun shop. I would hope that most shops have someone who will take the time (whether paid or not) to spend a little time with a person such as the OP to introduce them to the basics or firearms.

I spend between one and two hours doing that without charge unless the person also wants to do a little shooting in the range. (range and ammo cost)I realize that not every shop can afford to do that - the reason ours can is because I volenteer that time. I think there are retired folks available who would enjoy doing as much for most gun shops if asked.

From there we offer a basic firearm course with a certified intructor. A beginers course which takes about 6 hours and cost $65 to attend.

And bless you for doing that! A new person to shooting coming to a gun shop for the first time are experiencing something totally foreign to them, and having a person available to help them along the way, however short the time is, would be invaluable to getting more people involved in shooting.

I see the attitude of some salesmen at gun shops and have to wonder how they earn a living. They sure as hell aren't getting many repeat customers coming off with their way of dealing with customers, especially new shooters.

I see all too often a salesman try and hard sell a new female shooter a small .380 semi-auto, because it's "small and dainty, perfect for a woman." I own a few guns like that, and have shot for most of my life, and find these guns to be rational choices only for a more experienced shooter. They are harder to shoot accurately than most any handguns, and the experience isn't always the most fun a shooter will ever have. If shooting one is your very first time shooting, many will decide shooting sports is not for them.

[Phydeaux642]

You should NOT teach yourself how to shoot. You should NOT teach yourself about gun safety.

I think getting some instruction is a great idea, but at the risk of being called stupid for having my own opinion (happens here all the time), I'll say that I did both of these things and can say that when I go to the range I am as safe or more safe than anyone shooting along side me and am generally one of the more accurate shooters at the range.

I read a lot, watched a few videos here and there and would stop by the range to watch others shoot and used that as my instruction. I started with handguns because that is what I am interested in and never had any problems. I've never had any formal instruction and was looked upon as the best shooter (out of 25) in my CCW class. So, while formal instruction is great (and I would really like to take a few classes) I do think you can learn a lot on your own if you put in the time. I did, but of course I'm no expert as will be pointed out here any minute.

[stevek]

The NRA basic pistol course includes the new edition of the handbook, it's great. Tells you everything you could want to know about both revolvers and pistols. The NRA basic pistol course will also teach all you need to know to get started, safely. It includes lessons on aiming, trigger control, and other fundamentals. Fundamentals are CRITICAL to good shooting.

As an instructor, the pistol I generally use is a Sig Sauer 229R. Starts with the .22 LR conversion barrel, slide, and magazine, and as we progress we change over to 9mm. This way the student learns one grip and one trigger press, KISS in practice. You can do the same with most platforms though...Glock, 1911, etc. A real class should be #1. ymmv

[Sky]

A lazy day watching a youtube video on various techniques and weapons might not be a bad idea. I have actually been impressed with some of their stuff. I own a Glock and it is a good pistol; but I would never recommend one of any type for your first pistol; just my opinion and don't want to get a thing going with Glock defenders.

[bigalexe]

Well if you post your location then I am sure we can find you a mentor here.

As for a first firearm for someone with NO experience, I would say start with a .22lr Rifle and/or a .22lr pistol. The reason I say .22lr is that it is NOT an air rifle, but also has negligible recoil and is REALLY cheap to shoot. It's a gun that won't scare you.

Next step up would be to get some shotgun experience IMO, shotguns are their own game and really fun but not so cheap as the .22lr.

I am located in SE Michigan, if you are in the area PM me.

[22-rimfire]

If you don't know anyone that shoots, I would buy a 22 rifle at a gun shop that has a range. They will probably help you get comfortable and do it safely. Everyone needs a 22 rifle if they shoot. Next, do the same thing with a 22 handgun at the same gun shop. Read the manual at home. Load the gun and unload it. If you went to a public range (the free kind) on a week day, you could probably shoot there with few spectors and more than likely someone there will show you the basics.

I shot for years before I ever shot a handgun. I bought a 22 revolver as my first handgun in my early 20's after college. I don't regret that choice. I did not have anyone to help me and I went out and shot in the seclusion of the woods where it would be safe and if I did something stupid, I could only hurt myself. This way, I won't get embarrassed either being clumsy (but safe). You can learn a lot simply by making sure the gun is unloaded and handle it in the seclusion of your home.

Unlike some here, I don't think your experience at the gun shop was particularly bad.

[Oldfalguy]

NooB-
At least you have the good sense to come to a forum like this one and ask questions-
Find a local range and ask them about instruction.
What I would not is go out and get a concealed carry right off the bat- no way- Your not qualified to do so no matter what the state says you have the right to do- its not the right thing to do-
Nor do I think your first firearm should be any semi auto to learn with unless you have someone to teach you on several occasions- You are not going to absorb and retain it all in one setting. Make no mistake, guns are not a hobby like model making and the worst thing that happens is getting crazy glue on your fingers-
Get smart, safe and practice- Be careful

[russ69]

You are only a member for one day and you ask the most important question we experts mull around all the time, "If I only had one handgun".......
If you were an expert marksman, most of us would say a .357 with a 4 to 6 inch barrel is the most versatile handgun because it can do everything you would want to do with a gun. But, you are a squeaky fresh newbie and you need a little experience first. Get some training then get what you think you might like but if you really want to be a good shooter you'll need a .22LR somewhere along the line so you may as well think about that now.

Thanx, Russ

[Frank Ettin]

I would absolutely recommend an NRA Basic Handgun class. I'm an NRA certified instructor in, among other things, Basic Handgun. I've worked with a number of other instructors over the years and have helped many complete newbies get started.

A good class will cover safety, the different types of handguns, how they work, how to handle them, how to maintain them and basic marksmanship. It will also discuss ammunition and how it works. Especially for someone starting out with no prior experience, an NRA Basic Handgun class will lay a good foundation.

I've been through this process with several hundred complete beginners and think it's one of the best ways to start.

[22-rimfire]

Taking the NRA santioned course is a great idea as others have mentioned. When I was new to shooting and young, I would have had no idea where to find such a class to take. The classes weren't as commonly offered then as they are today.

My Dad showed me the basics, was there to help me gain confidence hunting, and my older brother took over from that point since my Dad seldom went shooting with us even at age 14. We lived in the country and we shot our 22 rifles out the back window a lot as well as in the field behind the house which provided a natural backstop. We knew that a 22 rifle could kill. We shot game with the caliber and saw the results first hand.

[ArmedLiberal]

Welcome to The High Road!

You came to the right place to learn about firearms online. There are hordes of great people here that have the knowledge and experience that you seek. The class in your first post looks great. Some of the best gun shops create new customers by making it easy to learn about guns for the fires time. I think that .22LR is a great caliber to start learning on. I like the Ruger Single Six .22 revolver or the Ruger Mark III .22 pistol.

Check out CalGuns.net, you'll find hundreds of firearms folks in the LA area that will be more than glad to help you get off to a good start. It's also a great site to start learning about California gun law. You will not believe what an Alice in Wonderland journey that is.

[finz50]

I just got certified as an NRA instructor last week and highly recommend the Basic Pistol Course that some have already suggested...here's a link to the NRA website where you can search for a class in your area....http://www.nrainstructors.org/CourseCatalog.aspx. Also suggest you find a local range, after you take the course (or with an experienced friend) and shoot as many firearms as you can get your hand on.....may cost a bit up front, but will save you from buying a gun you'll regret later on. Best of luck and welcome to the club!

[fireman5069]

Whatever gun you decide to get always remember that the best gun safety is the one between your ears.

[Bud Tugly]

The advice to start with a .22 is excellent since you can do lots of shooting for very little expense. The only way to become a good shot is to shoot lots, and that can get expensive with other calibers.

You say you want a gun for target shooting and defense, but what kind of targets and what kind of defense? Handguns and rifles are used mainly for stationary target shooting, but shotguns can be used in a variety of games involving moving targets such as trap and skeet shooting. You may eventually want to do several different types of target shooting.

For defense, are you thinking about self-defense (where you would carry your gun at all times, even out in public) or home defense (where the gun would mainly be used to defend against break-ins or home invasions)? Self-defense means a pistol or revolver small enough to carry on your person, but many people prefer a shotgun or rifle for home defense purposes.

IMO everyone needs, at minimum, a .22 rifle for cheap target shooting and general fun and a shotgun with buckshot for home defense. You can get by with a handgun, but it requires a much higher level of skill and practice to hit targets consistently than a shotgun or rifle. If you go that route make sure you're willing to put in the extra time to become proficient.

You'll likely to find that shooting in general becomes quite addictive, and restricting yourself to just a single gun will be very difficult.

[jerkface11]

I'm not convinced you should start with a pistol. I think you'd do better with a bolt action .22lr.

[9mmforMe]

I think that finding someone to show you the ropes from this site would be a good idea if possible. Also try the NRA class route. When you feel comfortable giving it a whirl, try renting different guns and see what you like.
Try this link too...good first steps I think. Good luck!


http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles2/ayoob85.html

[jim in Anchorage]

100% agree start with a.22 RIFLE. A handgun is not for a beginner. I had no friends or family to help me when I started shooting[at age 12] and pretty much learned from outdoor life and Field & stream. 40 years, and 25 guns later, never put a hole in anything I didn't want to, so I guess self taught worked:)

[murdoc rose]

You might be surprised about having friends with gun interest, it's a subject not everyone likes to talk about and sometimes it may just never have came up especially with acquaintances.

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

I am a big fan of starting new shooters out on .22 A: It's cheap and you can get a lot of practice in for little money. B: more importantly, the shooter can learn good habits on the .22 that a larger caliber might prevent. With the low recoil, low noise of a .22, new shooters can learn the fundamentals of shooting, while putting rounds downrange, without the kick and noise of a large caliber weapon. Plus as their training base, it is always something they can go back to even if they later get a larger weapon. My fist gun was a .22 pistol and even now that I have a lot more, I still start every range session with about 200rds out of the .22 It keeps my habits in check, allows me to practice quality and quantity, and without breaking the bank.

[vaupet]

I would advise trying to get in contact with god members of a local range (short drive), possibly an instructor.
Then I would start with 22lr arms with good accuracy (think bolt action CZ 4**, savage, buckmark or ruger mark II pistol, S&W 617 revolver).
With these firearms you can learn the right techniques without breaking the bank in ammo.
If you buy one of these used, you're bound to get at least your money back if you ever want to get rid of them.

Then, when you get the hang of it, you can bring your liberal familiy-members to the range (one at a time) and start their conversion.:evil:

greetings
Peter

[Dr T]

Definitely start with a 22 lr. You cannot hope to defend yourself without being proficient and you don't get to be proficient without a lot of practice. Firing 50 rounds for $2 sure beats 50 rounds for $12.

I started with a rifle when I was about 8 years old and did not "graduate" to a handgun until I was in high school.

The problem--as I see it--for a beginning shooter, is developing a sense of "muzzle-awareness". You don't point a gun at anything you don't intend to shoot. With a rifle it is easier to keep track of the direction it is pointed.

However, times are different now. Perhaps a SOFT AIR pistol (with that obnoxious orange muzzle) would be a useful aid for a beginner to get used to tracking which direction the thing is pointed (the orange muzzle is required since there are many soft air guns that closely resemble the real thing).

[TylerPearce]

the first pistol I ever shot was a .357 magnum, and I was something like 10 years old. Second pistol I shot was a Ruger p89dc about a year later, my dad then gave it to me for my high school graduation earlier this summer. Point is, I love them both, it is just my personal preference to shoot semi's, because they are just so darn fun! I personally recommend getting a 9mm. They don't have a terrible recoil, and I have never let anybody shoot it who couldn't be reasonably accurate their first or second magazine through it. Except for one person, my girlfriend, but she weighs about 100 pounds and couldn't lift much more than a textbook without struggling.

[TylerPearce]

I might ad that I have never shot a .22 pistol, so I can't really recommend one.

[tinygnat219]

To the OP: I'd seriously suggest checking out an NRA Training class for the handguns, and seeing if there's a local "Appleseed" program in your area for Rifle training. Both will allow you to handle and shoot firearms under carefully supervised conditions. IMHO, the gun shops to go to will either have a trainer on staff, or a trainer to recommend so you can get some exposure. Another thing to do is if you have a friend with guns, offer to pay for ammo or some range time if he / she is willing to be a guide on a range trip.

[quatin]

No reason to buy what you don't want. If you want one for home defense, get a center fire pistol. If you don't like shooting later, you at least have a gun for defense. If you buy the .22lr and don't like shooting, you still have to get a gun for home defense.

Get a full size 9mm or large frame .38special. They're mild recoil wise and good enough for self defense. Pick up the .22lr later if you want to improve your skills.

Lastly, where are you? There might be someone on this forum who lives close enough that won't mind you tag along to the range.

[skwab]

Hi noob - and welcome to the wonderful world of guns! As I'm sure you've already gathered there are a ton of different ways you can approach your situation and none of them are really wrong, it's just what is best for you. I'm assuming you are of the legal age to buy and own a handgun.

IMO, I think two options would work best - not totally knowing your situation and what resources you have available:
1) find a basic pistol course at a range that rents handguns - they should allow you to rent one for the course. If this isn't available then read as much as you can, then find a range that rents and rent a 9mm to try out. And as you are able, rent different models to try a few different types. Every gun feels different - it can be an acquired taste as to which is best for you. Even if you have to make a day trip to a nearby town - I think it would be worth it.

2) If option 1 isn't available - there's just not a range anywhere that rents and your only option is to buy and figure things out on your own, then IMO skip the .22 and get a 9mm. You only want one gun - 9mm is a versatile round, you can buy less expensive ammo for practice and more expensive self-defense ammo for home protection. My first handgun was a 9mm beretta 92fs - too big to carry concealed but great at the range and for the home - very reliable and there's a ton of readily avail info out there for it. But there are a myriad of 9mm options out there for you that are great, just stick with the major brands. Glock 19, S&W M&P, Ruger SR9, Springfield XD are more of the moderately priced and popular 9mm platforms - once you get it - learn it - know how to strip it down and clean it, research the rules for safe firearm handling and know them! Then go shoot and practice practice practice. Just beware - guns have a sneaky way of multiplying! Good luck!

[NavyLCDR]

You don't mention where you live. You may not know anyone that shoots. But there may be somebody here ( on THR ) that might be willing to take you to the range & let you try different guns. I'd expect you'd need to supply the ammo.

+1. You wouldn't even need to supply the ammo. I love to help new shooters!

[Zen21Tao]

IMHO, many of the people that say 'don't start with a .22' are the kinds of shooters that show up at a range with a giant silhouette, set it up 7 to 10 yards away, and their shooting is all over the place on it.

The benefit to starting with a .22, other than being inexpensive to shoot, is that its reduced recoil allows to properly learn the basics while picking up on (and even avoiding) many common mistakes, like jerking the trigger, anticipating recoil, etc.

People that start with a .22 and move up in caliber once they have learned the basics are the kinds of shooters that show up to a range with 8" to 10" round shoot-n-see targets that the set up 25yrds away and shoot nice tight patterns on.

Just ask yourself which kind of shooter you want to be.

[SSN Vet]

I don't know how it is at other places... but at one club nearby, they teach the NRA basic pistol class and during the last session they have two tables covered with hand guns that you can pick from and try out (they supply the ammo.)

So much is based on personal preference. So read hear and get info. and lingo. But then you'll need to get your hands on guns and try them. Developing your own tastes and preferences.

As with any mechanical device, in order to select the proper model, you need to define it's intended use.

For handguns this meanse things like .... intend to get your permit and carry it daily? .... intend to keep it in the nightstand for home defense? .... intend to customize the gun for competitive shooting? ("gun games" such as IDPA & USPSA, or classic marksmanship ala NRA Bullseye) .... intend to hike the back country in Alaska ... intend to plink bear cans and squirrels.

If you only intend to have one handgun, you probably can't go wrong with 9mm. And though I personally don't find them interesting, such popular poly-framed platforms as the Glock 19 or Springfield XD are extremely popular for a reason.

Good luck and welcome aboard.

Folks around hear are very helpfull.

You don't need to be shy about asking total novice questions.

[Dnaltrop]

.22 while you learn trigger control, breathing, and how you react to a sudden loud noise. I agree that bolt-action rifles teach good habits to start, but a revolver of any kind is a good alternative if long guns aren't your thing.

Before you shoot a semi auto, make sure you grip each one repeatedly with the slide locked back. You'd hate to test-fire a gun that felt good in the hand, but has the slide lining up with your thumb's joint.

When you move into pistols with any real kick, single round loads with any double-action capable gun while you figure out your grip.

Welcome :D

[KodiakBeer]

IMHO, many of the people that say 'don't start with a .22' are the kinds of shooters that show up at a range with a giant silhouette, set it up 7 to 10 yards away, and their shooting is all over the place on it.

Seen it all too often...

[Yoda]

There will be NRA-certified instructors in your area, and they will probably be glad to let you use one of their own guns after they give you the instruction that you should have BEFORE you handle a gun. After that, you can gauge what suits you and whether you want to proceed.

- - - Yoda

[Tacbandit]

Visiting the local range...that's a great start. If you can get some instruction, that's what I would do. Get ahead, and stay ahead of the learning curve that way...Shoot a few different ones(yes, starting with .22), and get a feel for it...There's others out there that will be glad to help you...let them...Good luck, happy shooting
Tac

[Ike R]

I posted earlier , but would like to add Noob if you are near the Beaumont or Houston, Texas area I would be happy to both take you shooting, I have ammo and if giveing it away gets one more responsible person out there in America the knowledge that EVERYONE should have to excercise the RIGHT afforded to us as American citizens then thats a small price to pay on my part for Gun Owners all across the nation.

I have currently

870 remington 12 gauge pump

Tika 7mm-08 Rifle

Walther p-22 .22 pistol

Berretta Px-4 storm in 9mm

Rock River AR-15 Rifle in 5.56/.223

Smith and Wesson .357 mag pistol (and plenty of 38 special ammo too)

plus a variety of older military style rifles such as the Mosin Nagant and Lee Enfield, and if you know of something that you want to try outside of the highest end military sniper rifles and/or custom pistols I can most likely borrow it or something suitably simular for a day at the range.

I am not a certified instructor in anything firearm related, but I can teach the basics because l live with them everyday.

Send me a PM if you are.

And I encourage any and all here to make the same offer if you can, you could save a life, and at the very least you are going to change at least one for the better.

[dogdollar]

Just keep in mind that there is more to shooting sports than just having a gun. Like the old saying goes, buying a guitar doesn't make you a guitarist.
There trigger control, acquisition of sight picture, breathing, stance...lots of aspects of the sport that you would do well to learn and practice.
I am with the others that recommend a .22lr for getting started and for practicing your technique. A rifle, as some have pointed out, is somewhat easier to shoot accurately and is not as demanding in terms of physical discipline, but, since you have specifically asked about pistols, I say stick with a good .22 pistol. My personal favorite is a Ruger 22/45 MkIII. They are easy to find, reasonably priced, well made and accurate. Oh and did I mention TONS OF FUN to shoot?
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f179/6401glendale/Gun%20Stuff/mkIII.jpg
Good luck,
DD

[n00b_71]

Wow this was WAY more helpful than I expected. I am definitely going to start with a a few training sessions before buying anything. And I will definitely try to take cranemane up on his most generous offer.

Thanks everybody.

[dogdollar]

Now you can tell folks about your SECOND encounter with the gun community.
DD

[sprice]

I don't think you need a .22 as a first gun. My first guns were a .45 1911 a 16 guage side by side a 30/40 krag and a .300wsm all within a month... When it rains it pours I guess and that was when I was 14

[duns]

If I do buy a handgun, I am probably going to want just that one, as opposed to a mini-arsenal locked up in my closet. Ha! I said the same thing 9 months ago, now I have 7 guns, namely 2 revolvers, 3 autoloaders, and 2 rifles. Having said that, one gun has become my favorite - S&W M&P340CT. It's small and light enough that it's always in my pocket (DeSantis Nemesis pocket holster), it's 357 magnum so will probably get the job done, and the laser sight means even I should hit the BG!

In terms of pure shooting delight my favorite is my Colt 1911 Series 70 reissue but I find it far too big to carry concealed.

[Bud Tugly]

I grew up in a rural area, and nearly every kid in the area had a BB gun by the time we were 8 years old or so. I found out early on that it was a lot harder to shoot accurately with a pistol than a rifle, since we tried each others guns while roaming in the woods.

We all graduated eventually to .22 rifles, shotguns, and deer rifles with some degree of adult supervision, but mostly learned by trial and error. I don't know how many thousands of BB's and .22 shells I fired in my life but it would make a huge pile. We used them more than anything else since they were so cheap to fire.

I'm convinced that all that early shooting made me a much better shot with shotguns and more powerful rifles. If I had started with one of them instead I'd never have been able to afford to shoot as much as I did.

With more and more folks growing up in cities and suburbs these days the opportunities for kids to learn about guns the way we did are shrinking, and that's a shame. Not much help to the OP, I guess, just an observation on changing times.

[doc2rn]

I would suggest a 9mm with a .22lr conversion upper. Learn on the .22 and when using it at home swap out to 9mm barrel. That way the OP can stick to his one gun rule.

[joe_security]

I agree with every poster that said get training and go from there.

[n00b_71]

Okay ... I really owe you guys a lot for this. Thank you very much for your thoughtful replies.

Here's what I plan to do based on your advice:

1. Take craneman up on his most generous offer to teach me the basics. (I live in Orange County, CA and he is in North San Diego: not too bad of a drive at all.)

2. If, for whatever reason, I can't make that happen, I'll take the NRA basic pistol course.

3. Although I really liked the idea of a .45 under my bed, I will instead hold off on buying a firearm for now. There is a range near me (http://www.ocindoorrange.com) that rents .22LR Ruger MkIIs, MkIIIs and a few revolvers. I'll start with those and practice until I develop some degree of competence.

4. Continue to read and participate in this forum.

I can't thank you guys enough. I really feel confident that I am on the right track now. Thanks again!

[ArmedLiberal]

Have a great time!

[KodiakBeer]

I really feel confident that I am on the right track now.

Me too! Welcome to the no-longer-a-victim club!

[cadillacmike]

If you really are leaning towards a .45 ACP, there are many .22LR conversion kits for traditional M1911 style pistols. Marvel makes one which I'm considering getting for my wife who has never shot anything bigger than 22LR. I think the Marvel kits also fit the double stack magazines, like the para-ordnance 45s - i only have traditional single stack 45s (Colt and a WW2 vintage). It is an excellent way to learn and have a home defense gun at the same time. you'll already know the size and trigger feel, etc. only real difference is recoil - oh and noise level!

When I say single stack or double stack, I'm referring the the magazine, single stack = one round directly on top of the next - 7 or 8 maximum in a 45; Double stack = staggered rounds up to 14 or 15 max in 45. doubler stacks have a wider grip.

good luck, and post up on your results.

[Zerodefect]

Okay ... I really owe you guys a lot for this. Thank you very much for your thoughtful replies.

Here's what I plan to do based on your advice:

1. Take craneman up on his most generous offer to teach me the basics. (I live in Orange County, CA and he is in North San Diego: not too bad of a drive at all.)

2. If, for whatever reason, I can't make that happen, I'll take the NRA basic pistol course.

3. Although I really liked the idea of a .45 under my bed, I will instead hold off on buying a firearm for now. There is a range near me (http://www.ocindoorrange.com) that rents .22LR Ruger MkIIs, MkIIIs and a few revolvers. I'll start with those and practice until I develop some degree of competence.

4. Continue to read and participate in this forum.

I can't thank you guys enough. I really feel confident that I am on the right track now. Thanks again!



Your on the right track. The NRA course is a safe place to start.

Renting a Ruger .22 is a great idea.

Midway USA has tons of those shoot&see type targets for cheap. They're targets that are dark but make a big neon hole where your shot ends up. Those helped me alot when I was new, I couldn't allways "call" my shots before I tried those.

Also there is a ton of Good, UP TO DATE pistol and shooting info in Magpul Art of the Defensive Handgun DVD set. They cover most everything, the rest you'll figure out soon enough. Worth every penny:
http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/Magpul-Dynamics-Dynamic-Handgun-dvd-p/magpul%20dvd%20dyn%20004.htm

[thorazine]

Despite popular belief you can start out with something larger than a twenty two...

For I started with a nine (9X19MM) and everything worked out just fine for me.

No holes in my hand or foot. :D