.22lr rifle = happy new shooters

[MattC]

I know this is old news to a lot of people, but it's been reinforced for me over the last three weeks. I started a new job and have been warming up to bringing some people out shooting. I have four new converts who had never touched a gun in their lives before coming with me. They all loved it and want to keep going. The first guy has gone with me about 4 times now, the second, a lady, has gone 3 times, and just a couple days ago a guy and a lady came with and had an amazing time. Their only disappointment was the loss of daylight to keep shooting in.

I started them all with a low-cost .22lr Mossberg 702 Plinkster rifle. They all came in with fear in their eyes about how much it will hurt when it kicks back, how hard it will be to control, and worried about the fireball that will erupt from the barrel. 20 minutes included a safety lesson, proving they've memorized the four rules, and an explanation of how the rifle operates including the names of the components so that we could clearly communicate what to do. After that, they each took their first shot at a milk jug 5 yards away and fell in love. The first two shoot trap with me now.

If you're taking someone new to the range, someone who has never fired a gun or never seen one first-hand, I heartily recommend having a .22lr rifle cleaned and ready for them. For $99.99 out the door from Gander Mountain, plus a few bucks for ammo, that Plinkster has legitimized the shooting sports for four new people. That's a good investment.

Additional bonus: The new guy that came with last time was talking all day about how he was amazed he didn't need to be registered or licensed to go shooting. We had a very constructive talk about politics and rights after he started shooting!

 

[bill larry]

Good for you!

Isn't it funny how "normal" people have all these incorrect notions about guns and shooting?

 

[sm]

Excellent!

I am a firm believer in having a simple .22 rim-fire to introduce new shooting to firearms as well.

 

[sm]

I am a firm believer in having a simple .22 rim-fire to introduce new shooters to firearms as well.
Especially kid sized guns.

 

[joplinsks]

.22lr is all I shoot... and I'm darn proud of it. I've built quite the .22 used rifle collection for a few hundred bucks and am amazed how well they all shoot for so little money. I don't see the need to make bigger holes anytime soon

What I like is going to the range and getting sarcastic remarks from others about my "little toy" guns... then show them I can shoot bullseye after bullseye while they're all over the target (and target stand) with their SKS's or 9mm's.

 

[cslinger]

What does .22 Long Rifle have to do with new shooters? Hell I have been shooting for years and I am firmly in the .22 camp.

 

[Jubjub]

I start people off with the gun I started with, a Remington 514. Next we move to the Remington 10C. Both light, open sighted, easy to shoot.

I also keep an SP-101 .22 revolver around just for new shooters. Has a small enough grip that anyone can shoot it, no kick, easy and fun.

 

[Black Adder LXX]

Good for you. I always use one of my 22lr pistols for new shooters. Usually saving something with a bigger bang for the end.

I also keep an SP-101 .22 revolver around just for new shooters. Has a small enough grip that anyone can shoot it, no kick, easy and fun.

Jubjub - you are so lucky to have one of those...

 

[SASS#23149]

I just piked up a ruger 10/22 this week for grandkid and 'newbie' training.Low noise and recoil,and no 4' fireballs.

Now all they gotta do is pry it outta my hands when we go. LOL

 

[Technosavant]

As much fun as some old milsurps can be, the good old .22LR rifle is invincible when it comes to pure fun value. You can get a quite decent rifle, a cleaning kit, and several bricks of ammo for two Franklins, and new shooters just get the BIGGEST grins out of them.