Beginner looking to start shooting

[brendan207]

I've recently took an interest in firearms, and would like to finally get my first one. I was deciding between a rifle and a shotgun, and so far I'm leaning towards something like a 20 gauge shotgun. If you were in my position, which brand/gun would you get? My price range is probably about $250/max.

Thanks!

 

[mnrivrat]

Welcome to THR .

I like the 20ga and have 5 or 6 of them myself. For the money you will likely be better served buying a used pump gun. The Mossberg 500 series comes first to mind because a clean used gun can be bought for about that money.

The Remington 870 is the next to come to mind, but they are harder to find at that price point. Harder, but not impossible, and the Remington 870 is still the best selling pump gun in the world for good reason.

Either one will serve you well, and you won't have to worry about parts or service in the years to come. There are lots of them out there and they have both been around for decades. (and likely for decades to come)

 

[Havok7416]

The Mossberg 500 and Remington 870 are excellent and extremely popular guns (as previously mentioned). Nothing else is coming to mind but I'm sure someone has something to add.

 

[Texan Scott]

mossberg's maverick line. very decent guns for the money. lower on the budget because they are absolutely NO-frills, just the basic package. i like 'em.

 

[snooperman]

Welcome to shotgunning. There are many brands of American guns that would serve you well. In the $250 range a very good Remington 870, Mossberg 500 ,Winchester 1300, and the Ithaca 37 can be found which can last your life time with care. These are pump guns and very reliable. Have fun in your search and good shooting.

 

[Naterater]

Many guns have slight variations, but that doesn't affect them too much. Search the web for info on pros and cons on certain features of the gun.

Different models (Mossberg 500, or Remington 870) have completely different set-ups, but they function the same way--Pump action.

Different modifications (Stock type, barrel length, paint, etc.) don't cause the gun function to change much at all, but they are advantageous/disadvantageous for small reasons.
Ex: A long barrel will make your ammo shoot a wee bit faster and it's a little easier to aim, BUT if you're using it in the house for self-defense, it will be a little harder to get around and move around quickly because it's heavier and bulkier. These are SMALL modifications as I call them, but don't worry too much about them.

You learn from experience. Also, have a buddy that owns a gun help you out, especially when learning to shoot. Form will keep your shoulder from hurting when you shoot. The more you pull the gun to your shoulder and try to make it one with your body, the less it will hurt your shoulder.

 

[reckless carolinian]

Just curious, why the 20? There is nothing wrong with it,

 

[brendan207]

I've honestly shot a weapon twice in my entire life, and it was a pistol haha. I've lived in a city my entire life and not much of my family was into guns, so I never really got to have any experience with them. I was talking to a couple people, and obviously the 20 is a bit easier to handle than a 12, so I thought I'd start off smaller and basically just learn on this one, cleaning, shooting, all of that good stuff.

 

[Havok7416]

You should keep in mind that while 20 gauge shells are common, the variety of ammo is far less than what is out there for 12 gauge. Pricing is mostly the same.

 

[brendan207]

How many different variety is there of 20 gauge?

And how does pricing of say, 20 gauge ammo compare to pricing of .22 ammo?

 

[Havok7416]

20 gauge is far more expensive than .22LR. Use the following as a reference only as they won't tell the full story: http://www.luckygunner.com/20-ga-2-3-4-target-7-8oz-8-federal-top-gun-250-rounds and http://www.luckygunner.com/cci-22-lr-ammo-for-sale-22lr36cphpccimm-5000. As for the types of shotshells, they offer all kinds of birdshot up to #4 and #5 which is used for turkey, geese and things like that (I could be wrong I don't hunt anymore). There is buckshot but it only goes down to #4 (20 pellets) IIRC. Typical 12 gauge buckshot is 00 or 000 with 8 or 9 pellets of much larger diameter. Obviously there are 20 gauge slugs out there. So while there is less variety, most uses for a shotgun could arguably be accomplished by a 20 gauge just as well as a 12 gauge. All this aside there is nothing wrong with the 20 gauge if it suits your purpose. Hope this helps.

 

[brendan207]

Alright, one last question haha, between a 20 gauge and a .22 rifle of some sort, which would you recommend for a first gun to learn on, as well as emergency home defense?

 

[Havok7416]

Don't ever be afraid to ask questions! I always teach people on a .22 to start with. They have virtually no recoil which enforces proper posture, trigger control, etc. For home defense the 20 gauge or any other gauge IMO is a hands-down winner. You CAN kill someone with a .22 and there was just a post in here recently about a guy defending his home with one but I *personally* wouldn't recommend it and neither would many of the people on THR. A shotgun would not be impossible to learn with if that's all your budget can provide for (although rounds are more expensive). If I had to pick between a shotgun and a .22 I would go with the shotgun for it's versatility over the rifle, but that's just me.

 

[brendan207]

Alright, thank you very much for the help! I'm pretty sure I've at least tripled my understanding over the past half hour.

 

[Magoo]

A .22LR rifle is pretty much the standard for a "first gun". .22 ammuntion is far cheaper than any other. The Ruger 10/22 is the best selling gun for very good reasons.

 

[IdahoSkies]

Honestly either one are great guns to learn with. +1 on a mossberg 500 or Remington 870. I have a mossberg in 20 and its a nice handling gun. I like 20 ga, and a 20 ga will do anything a 12 will do if you choose your loads right. I killed many ducks pheasants and clay pigeons with my 20.

A shotgun vs. a rifle. Well that really depends on what kind of shooting do you like to do. If it will double as a home defense weapon, then there is no contest, get the 20 ga. Otherwise, do you prefer shooint at moving objects or stationary ones? That will dictate 22lr vs. 20ga.

Welcome and enjoy.

 

[Chevelle SS]

Remington 870

 

[GunnerShotz]

Internet surfing will take you both close to what I'm about to say... and far away

#1. What do you intend for the primary use of the firearm?
This will most definitely impact the nature of the advised "platform".
#2. Many will advise a .22 rifle to learn shooting and I wouldn't disagree.
#3. No matter what you pick up, the gun you spend the most time firing, understanding, and practicing with will serve you the best!

 

[Whacked]

I have a mossberg 500
bought it, just over $300 and came with 2 barrels. Good gun for the price. I went with the 500 because I liked where the safety was even tho I have shot a 870 plenty and was familiar with it.

if you go with a rifle, hands down get a 22LR.
the ruger 10/22 is a very popular choice, lots of aftermarket goodies to spend your paycheck on.
But dont overlook the marlin 795.
I have one and love it. its a tackdriver. you can pick one up for $150 any day of the week, smart shopping can bring the price to $100. Only downside, there basically isnt a aftermarket for goodies.

 

[Virginian]

Go look up the NRA site, and then look for firearms instruction in your area. That will likely lead you to some local knowledgeable people who can be a great help. You may be able to shoot a couple of rifles and shotguns before parting with any change.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

I was talking to a couple people, and obviously the 20 is a bit easier to handle than a 12, so I thought I'd start off smaller and basically just learn on this one,

Makes sense to me. We are always recommending .22s to people so they can learn the fundamentals without all the heavy recoil. I don't see why the same principal wouldn't apply to shotgunning. With the 20-gauge you could get used to everything without developing a flinch because you're anticipating recoil.

And how does pricing of say, 20 gauge ammo compare to pricing of .22 ammo?

Pretty big difference. Your .22 ammo is $17-$20 per 550 rounds. 20-gauge stuff is gonna cost about $7-$8 per 25 rounds for bird shot and $5-$8 per 5 rounds for buckshot.

Alright, one last question haha, between a 20 gauge and a .22 rifle of some sort, which would you recommend for a first gun to learn on, as well as emergency home defense?

Don't worry about the questions. If you don't know something, keep the questions coming. Usually I, like most people here, would recommend a .22 to learn on and get familiar with. However, if home defense is in the equation, I would go with the 20-gauge. It's mighty hard to beat a shotgun home defense.

Welcome aboard, and happy shooting.

 

[Sky]

Some day if you are lucky enough to own both the shotgun and the .22 you will find you will be shooting the .22 maybe 300 shots to one shotgun blast due to cost, recoil, and something else I can't think of right now (?) unless you are wanting to start shooting clays or some such activity with the shotgun I really would go with the .22. It will make you a better marksman and you will not feel like you lost your wallet every time you go shoot. Down side of the .22 is it can shoot a mile so you need and area where it is safe to shoot...Good luck on whatever you decide.

 

[CDR_Glock]

Makes sense to me. We are always recommending .22s to people so they can learn the fundamentals without all the heavy recoil. I don't see why the same principal wouldn't apply to shotgunning. With the 20-gauge you could get used to everything without developing a flinch because you're anticipating recoil.




Pretty big difference. Your .22 ammo is $17-$20 per 550 rounds. 20-gauge stuff is gonna cost about $7-$8 per 25 rounds for bird shot and $5-$8 per 5 rounds for buckshot.




Don't worry about the questions. If you don't know something, keep the questions coming. Usually I, like most people here, would recommend a .22 to learn on and get familiar with. However, if home defense is in the equation, I would go with the 20-gauge. It's mighty hard to beat a shotgun home defense.

Welcome aboard, and happy shooting.

+1

To the OP,

Get instruction on proper techniques. It saves time and money than trying to experiment. I like the NRA instructors, they've been helpful.

22 LR is great because you focus upon fundamentals. Contrast that with a shotgun which has a decent kick. Developing a flinch response is not good. It's like the Yips in golf, a subconscious response to aversion. A shotgun may instill that. The recoil is noticeable. Shotguns require more hand eye coordination, and yes, you still need to aim. They require knowledge of patterns which depend upon distance or ammo. Operation of a combat shotgun requires more training or work: loading, changing buckshot to slug, knowing what to use when, carrying extra shells, etc. It is a solid home defense weapon.

A 22LR has the least recoil. You can work on close range and then progress to longer and longer distances. It is a gun I recommend, at first. A rifle is a great way to introduce yourself to shooting. It is not expensive to own or shoot. A Ruger 10/22 is good. So is a target Ruger model like a Mark III but it requires a different set of skills if you want to shoot free handed.

When you have proper fundamentals, then work on a double action revolver to instill proper trigger technique. Emphasize not jerking when firing. The skill carries over to single action or striker fire pistols such as 1911s or Glocks, respectively.

Good luck.