A range of guns for showing beginners

[Dilettante]

I think some of the most fun you can have at the range is taking people who haven't shot before, or are just learning.

I've been toying with the idea of building up a collection of pistols and revolvers for first-timers. Presumably these would be .22 caliber or convertible.

In particular, I'd like to think that for almost anyone, there should be at least one gun in the group that they shoot well. Part of that is fit, but it might have to do with other preferences.

Obviously, you'd have to have the standards -- the Ruger and Browning pistols, and at least one revolver (Single Six? Bearcat? Taurus 94? How different are they?)

What else would you throw in to make sure that different hand shapes and different feels were represented?

 

[real_name]

Walther P22 is a useful introduction gun. It looks and feels like a larger polymer frame but is very easy to handle for those with smaller hands.

 

[GLOCK19XDSC]

Beretta Neos:

http://products.berettausa.com/images/JU2S45B_S.jpg

and the...

Whitney Wolverine!:

http://www.olyarms.com/?rootView=browse&view=dtl&ids=ww

 

[Black Majik]

Honestly, while I feel the same that introducing a new shooter to a "collection" of firearms is cool, I must say that new shooters become overwhelmed if they face multiple platforms. For starting out on their first day, it'd be best to usually keep the platforms variety to a few.

I usually start new shooters with a 1911 with a Marvel .22 kit. I would love to get a P22 or a Trailslide to shoot for variety also.

Good luck

 

[bouis]

I think a single action revolver is the best thing to start with, just for safety's sake, as it's easier to convince newbie shooters to keep the gun uncocked than it is to make them keep their fingers off the trigger, for some reason.

 

[aaronrkelly]

First shooter .22s that I have -

Winchester single shot bolt gun
Heritage Arms .22 single action revolver

then if they havent shot me or anyone else

Ruger 22/45 pistol
Henry lever action .22
Savage clip fed bolt gun
Marlin model 60

non .22 guns that are user friendly

H&R single shot .410
HiPoint 9mm carbine with red-dot

 

[Sheldon]

Basically any 22 rimfire is nice due to the low recoil and muzzle flip/blast. Light loaded centerfire weapons are fine as well. I bought my 45 ACP Colt Gold Cup after a gentleman at the range let me shoot his with low velocity reloads. Light loaded centerfire calibers are a great step up from the rimfire stuff and really lets the shooter feel like thay have shot a "real" gun. Nothing hooks a new shooter like having a fun time shooting great groups. A light loaded 38 Special or a 357 Mag loaded with light Special loads is great too.

The 22 rimfire caliber conversion kits for the 1911 and Beretta 92 are fun, but I have come to the realization that for the money, I'de rather buy a Ruger MKII 22 lr pistol instead. I like having a complete pistol rather than the parts to convert an existing one.

 

[english kanigit]

Well, first start off with a .22 rifle. I prefere to use single shots so they can't do the 'machine gun kelly' thing.

Then I'll move up to a .22 pistol under very close supervision. The idea is to make sure they don't suddenly turn around in their excitement whilst holding a loaded weapon.


Then, if they've been good safe students, it's time for centerfire. I'll usually start with a rifle that doesn't hit very hard. For very recoil sensative persons or small ones like Beth here, I'll have them stand. It helps a little with the kick until they get used to it.

After that, out come the pistols. I'll always load two in a magazine (or now that I have them, use a revolver) for the *really* new shooter. The same safety considerations as rimfire pistols still apply only they are even more important.

Typically, I'll have them go through at least 200 rounds of .22lr so I can see how they're doing and let them practice the basics. Then move up.

Be safe have fun and for new shooters try to double up on hearing protection!

EK

 

[trickyasafox]

when i teach new shooters, everyone starts with a 22lr on bags. either a marlin 60 or a ruger 10/22, depending on which fits them better. i keep them on bags because its easier for them to perform well, and if people are good at something they want to keep doing it

then i graduate them to either a ruger mk II with a reddot or a sw22a with a reddot. worked on my ex gf, i took her to the range and she asked to go back the next day

 

[BigG]

A S&W K-22 is among the finest of firearms and is a great learning tool. If the shooter masters the basics of sight alignment, the bullet will hit what he is aiming at.

 

[Vitamin G]

Here's the sequence I've been doing for newer shooters, which is limited due to my collection...

I allow a new shooter to hold both a Ruger Mk II and 1911 with .22 kit, and shoot whichever they prefer.
Browning Hi-power
1911 in .45 after they feel they have graduated (self-proclaimed) from the BHP.
1911 in 10mm
Glock 20 (10mm)
44mag

Oddly, people usually ask to continue shooting the 10mm or .44mag. Something about bluedot and a fireball... Like raccoons and shiny stuff.


For rifles, they get a Ruger 10\22 with a slew of aftermarket stuff. Good times.
Graduate to an AR, to an AK, to a savage 30-06.
Wee bit more of a jump

 

[creitzel]

Well for what it's worth, I am a new shooter. I didn't feel confident enough to just walk into a range and start handling firearms when I'd never shot or handled any before. After posting here on THR about training, I arranged some training with a forum member here (Trebor).

He came to our house, and gave my wife and I some safety instruction, and then took us to the range.

He brought several firearms for us to try out, including a couple of Ruger Mark II's with varying barrel lengths, a .22 revolver, a couple .38 revolvers, and a couple of CZ 75 9mm's. It was a very fun trip, and I personally appreciated having the ability to try out a couple of different calibers and barrel configurations. It really gave me a good view of the recoil, controls and feel of the various handguns.

Just thought you might appreciate the view of a recent newbie


Chris

 

[10-Ring]

When I take new shooters, I bring my Ruger Mk II, Taurus model 94 and alot of 22 ammo. Keep it safe, simple & fun at first, keep them asking questions & stay involved and have them asking for different guns for next time

 

[DunedinDragon]

I think classifying all "new shooters" the same could be problematic. I took my son and a bunch of his college-age (21 - 23) friends who had never shot before to the range yesterday and we played with everything from a 9mm Taurus, 9mm Glock, .40 and .45 Sig, 1911, to an AR-15 (both rifle and pistol). No one appeared to be overwhelmed by any of it, and everyone got a fair amount of exposure to different rounds and gun configurations. Needless to say they all had a blast, and learned a few things in the process both about gun safety as well as gun handling in general. And the good news is they all now know how to defend themselves against evil paper targets!!!

I can't imagine this group of boys would have been just as happy plinking away with a 22 cal. revolver all afternoon.

 

[22-rimfire]

Creitzel, good post. I also believe in keeping things simple with new shooters whether they be 8 years old or 28 years old. I don't know many people that are new to shooting that are just going to pickup and go to a range to shoot for their first time. For that reason, a friend who is willing to spend some time is the best way to go to get people over the hump in confidence and to receive some first hand safety instruction.

22 is the way to go. Younger shooters should start with a rifle and then move to handguns. Kids are going to do the machine gun thing, as we all have from time to time. The important thing is to do it safely. A good bolt action or lever action rifle works well for the beginner. Handguns can come later or maybe the same trip (but later) depending on how they do.

I think the best place to break in a new shooter is out in the woods or in the field away from a formal range. Too many other people around at the range. It is easy to overwhelm people the first time at a range with other people standing around watching.

 

[MatthewVanitas]

To build on previous points:

RIFLE VS PISTOL: I'm under the strong impression that most new shooters in the 18-30 bracket are far more interested in pistols than rifles. I'm assuming this is due to being in an urbanized society, lack of identification with a hunting culture, etc. At the UT Campus range where I coach some evenings, probably 90% of our newbie student shooters want to start on pistol instead of rifle.

To some degree, I've also seen shooters who were just fine with pistols who were intimidated by rifles. I think some newbies assume big=painful.


22 VS CENTERFIRE: I've been really surprised at how many new shooters do just fine transitioning to centerfire after a couple mags of rimfire. The last time my buddy and I took a few girls out shooting, they ended up being far more interested in his 9mm Glock than in the Ruger MkII, though they enjoyed both. Unless someone is just barely comfortable with the rimfire, I'd let them put at least a mag or two through a 9mm or 45 at the very end of a range trip, just to hold their interest.