What guns to bring for a first time shooter's first range day?

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Narwhal

Narwhal

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If you had the following firearms to choose from and 2 hours to shoot with someone who has never operated a firearm before, which would you choose? There is no limit on how many you can bring. The range will be 25 yards maximum, outdoors, on cardboard silhouette targets. Let's say the person is a 25 year old female and the objective is just to have fun and possibly persuade someone with anti-gun tendencies to appreciate the value of firearms.

S&W 22a .22lr semi-auto handgun
S&W 340 j-frame .357/.38 revolver
S&W 327 n-frame .357/.38 revolver
S&W M&P 40 compact
S&W M&P 40 full size w/ Silencerco Osprey Suppressor
S&W M&P 40 pro 5"
H&K USP 40c
H&K P30L 40
Marlin 795 .22lr carbine
Noveske N4 14.5" AR-15 w/ Aimpoint Micro H1
Compass Lake Engineering 20" AR-15
LRB Arms M14 "tanker" 18.5"
Smith Enterprise M14
Remington 700 police LTR ;308 w/ 4-14x Leupold Scope
Remington 870 Wingmaster 12 gauge w/ 28" barrel
Remington 870 Express Synthetic 12 gauge 7 shot, 18" w/ tritium bead
Mossberg 930 SPX 12 gauge
Beretta A391 Xtrema2 12 gauge

Thanks in advance.
 
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Both .22's start with the rifle then handgun. Depending how they do with each, step up to the noveske and m&p full size. Throw in one of the shotguns depending on how comfortable they seem and if you/they are worried about the recoil. Assuming safety and talks done before hand with reminders and hands on supervision come range time. In that amount of time it'll of course be more just exposure than really learning to shoot, so long as it's all done safely.
 
I'd recommend both the .22's so the person can shoot without getting a scared. Once they get into a comfort zone, for the rifle, I'd bring an AR-15 since it has little recoil and is a nice progression from .22, and one of the 38's for the pistol. I scared a girl once by letting her shoot my .45 for her first ever and it was hard to convince her to shoot again.

That being said, you seem to be a fan of Smith and Wesson and .40. :D
 
The 22a and 795 for sure. Most likely would bring the M&P40 with the can as well. That's probably it. The rimfires should be easy choices due to lack of recoil, but I'd bring the fullsize M&P with the can to emphasize the benefit and enjoyment you get when sound is so greatly reduced. Show her that cans aren't "just for hitmen."

I'm not sure I'd bring an AR or not... she might enjoy it, or she might walk away thinking its a precision WMD after shooting it at 25 yards. That's gonna depend on her opinions and mindset, which you know better than anyone else.

I'd leave the shotguns for a day when you can take her for clays. In my experience, people who are new to guns love shooting clays. I'd use the Beretta when the time comes, because of how it handles recoil.
 
For a fun day shooting with a novice shooter definitely the .22's and the M&P .40 with the suppressor would be good choices. The H&K P30L would also be fine as I think it has some great ergonomics in its design. One of the gas operated shotguns would be good to go along with the Compass Lake Engineering AR-15
 
nothing but 22s for the first trip. Even the report from a 22 pistol can startle someone who is not used to or prepared for it. This especially true for kids.
 
I'd say .22 rifle, then .22 pistol, then that N-Frame with .38 special. For two hours that should be good. but if more, then AR and/or Wingmaster with light target shot
 
Both .22's, the 327 S&W w/ .38's, the S&W Pro .40, the Novesky AR & the the Mossberg 930 with light loads. That'll get her started well and give her a brief taste of the common guns.
 
25 yards?

.22 handguns, rifles
Centerfire revolvers, semi-autos
AR's
Shotties
Centerfire, hi-power rifles, only enough to get the feel
 
Take the .38/.357 pistols but only shoot .38 on first trip unless person is very comfortable. Leave the .40 cals at home so you aren't tempted to impress your friend too soon. Take the ARs and any .22s. Shotguns are ok with low recoil shells. That's what I would do anyway and have done for my wife and daughters first time out.
 
First time, new shooter, I am bringing a .22 pistol and a .22 rifle. That is about it especially considering a 2 hour window. Besides less to clean after the fact. Additionally if there are other shooters I am sure someone will drag an AR out there so your new shooter can see one up close and personal.

Just My Take....
Ron
 
22 rifle off the bench to get the basics of safety, sight picture, and trigger and breath control down. Then on to the 22 pistol off the bench, then standing. Next a .38SPL, then a .40.

There's a video around showing a young female shooting a 44Mag that recoils and the barrel hits her in the head. I'm sure the boyfriend found it hilarious but she may be too recoil-shocked to shoot again.
 
Reloadron said:
First time, new shooter, I am bringing a .22 pistol and a .22 rifle. That is about it especially considering a 2 hour window. Besides less to clean after the fact. Additionally if there are other shooters I am sure someone will drag an AR out there so your new shooter can see one up close and personal.

Just My Take....
Ron
Click to expand...
Yeh this! Maybe the 40 with the can so she can see that cans are not movie crap. Like Bobson said. Start small, work up. Maybe bring an ar but leave it in the truck.


Sent from my AT100 using Tapatalk 2
 
Take the .22s. Remember to only load single rounds in the magazines to get started. An inadvertent extra trigger pull and surprise shot can shake a new shooter's confidence and changing magazines slows things down and allows more practice in safe gun handling.
 
22 handguns and rifles , the heavier the better as far as recoil , a suppresed 22 If I had one would be my choice.
I use a 22 browning buckmark for new shooters and a Ruger 10-22 , I also have a single shot rifle 22 for little ones.
I would not bring any snappy handguns ( 40's, small 38's )for a new shooter to learn on.
 
H&K USP 40c
S&W 22a .22lr semi-auto handgun
Marlin 795 .22lr carbine
Noveske N4 14.5" AR-15 w/ Aimpoint Micro H1

The AR will keep their interest because it looks exotic and bring some excitement to their day, The HK 40 just to try, and the .22s to learn how to shoot.
 
I'd keep the list short. Very easy to overwhelm a newbie by pulling out an endless string of different guns. Focus on safe handling, basic marksmanship and having fun. Appreciating the diversity of firearms can come later.

S&W 22a .22lr semi-auto handgun
Marlin 795 .22lr carbine

Start with the rimfires, best place for a newbie. Don't worry if you stay there, either. A good day shooting .22's may be just the thing to break the ice and lead to a second range trip.


S&W 327 n-frame .357/.38 revolver
Compass Lake Engineering 20" AR-15

IF she wants to move up, I'd have these ready. Plan to use .38's in the revolver, but have some generic .357's ready. Don't be surprised if a new shooter finds .38's to have enough recoil to keep her happy. By the same token, she may decide that she loves .357 and blow through your stock :eek: you never know.

Finally, don't worry if you don't get a single round downrange during the trip. Focus on helping, teaching and making sure your friend is safe & happy.
 
Narwhal said:
S&W 22a .22lr semi-auto

S&W 327 n-frame .357/.38 revolver

Marlin 795 .22lr carbine

Noveske N4 14.5" AR-15 w/ Aimpoint

Remington 870 Wingmaster 12 gauge w/ 28" barrel
Click to expand...

That would be my list for a new shooter. My experience has been that they like pump shotguns and AR's the most, but only after they get over the fear with a .22 (or a big 38). I've brought a very similar list before, maybe a different model or brand, but basically that same list.

The .40s can be snappy for a relatively experienced shooter, no need to make it unpleasant for a novice. The 12 gauge and the AR will make plenty of noise.

Keep it fresh, switch it up so they don't get bored or frustrated, and if they look ready for the trip to be over, end the session while they are in a good mood. Pack up and go out to eat together so they can reminisce over the great time they had.

Better to have them thirsty for more than just freaking sick of it, you know what I mean?
 
Definitely both of the .22s, as a number of people have already said.


Too bad you don't have a .22 revolver and some CBs/Colibris. Every brand-new shooter or relative newb I have dealt with has absolutely loved this as an introduction or fun plinking session. Mildest thing this side of a BB gun...
 
Like most above, I'd "walk" the shooter up the power scale, starting with the rimfire rifle, then the .22 pistol, etc…then straight to the AR!
 
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