Does a .22 have to be the first step?

[easyg]

There's certainly no reason to start with a .22LR.
I've yet to find any adult man or woman who could not quickly become proficient with a 9mm, .38 Special, .40S&W, or .45ACP.

 

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

If a gun store employees is ever "pushing you" to purchase something because he thinks he knows better than you, find another store. It's not his job to give you the "little lady" routine. That's BS. Shoot what you want.

 

[MCgunner]

If you wanna keep ammo reasonably priced, get a 9mm. The 686 is a good revolver, though, not particularly good for carry, but great to shoot recreationally. .357s are versatile in that they'll also shoot .38. Can't really go wrong with a 686. .38 isn't as cheap as 9x19, but you can find it for 15-20 bucks a box.

Another gun that there's lots of cheap ammo for is one of the 9x18 eastern block guns like the Russian or Bulgarian Makarov. I get Monarch ball ammo for 10 dollars a box at Academy or online. That's so cheap, and trimming 9x19 brass down for it is such a pain, I tend to shoot a lot of Monarch in my P64 Radom. Look around for a CZ82. Those are NICE little guns, or maybe an FEG PA63. Mine's a P64 Polish Radom and I picked it up for 199. It's a tack driver and very small and pocketable. I'd really like to get a CZ, though. Those things are sharp and have good magazine capacity.

Lots of options. If you want the revolver, the 686 is a nice one.

 

[Jim K]

If you start a real beginner, say a youngster, on something like a .357 or a .44 Magnum, the noise and blast and recoil will scare the bjeezus out of him and can ruin him forever as a shooter, or even turn him against guns entirely. I have known it to happen.

But for an adult who has fired heavier handguns, the only reason for a .22 is so that one can shoot more at low cost, an important factor in building skill.

Jim

 

[buck460XVR]

Thanks for all the replies. I'd just like to have my own 686 so it can be mine. The Ruger I can shoot anytime.

Sounds like you've made a choice and made a fine one at that. Looks like a trip to the gun shop is in order. A 686 is never a bad choice and the new ones are just as accurate and reliable as the older ones.

 

[The Bushmaster]

That reminds me. My wife's first gun was a S&W M10 with 2" bbl. .38 Special. I know because I bought it for her.

 

[MCgunner]

But for an adult who has fired heavier handguns, the only reason for a .22 is so that one can shoot more at low cost, an important factor in building skill.

Actually, I think fun is the best reason. .22s can be very accurate, cheap, and great fun for plinking. I also squirrel hunt with .22 caliber handguns. It's more challenge than rifles, more fun for ME. Some may disagree, but I haven't hunted squirrel with a rifle in 20 years. I love to handgun squirrels with an accurate .22.

 

[Rhyno37]

The first gun I ever shot, and started out on was a S&W M14-2 .357 mag. Very fun gun.

 

[carbuncle]

The first handgun I ever bought was a .45 Long Colt Ruger Blackhawk, and the first rounds I shot from it were hotrodded hand loads the seller gave me. I liked the gun, but I wanted a semi-auto, so I went with a .40 S&W Sigma: no need to start with a .22, particularly if you have access to one already.

 

[BullfrogKen]

If there's already one in the house you can use, then you've got that base covered already, don't you?


Get what you want.

 

[BCRider]

Let's give the poor store clerk a break. He was trying to do you a favour by suggesting a .22 since it's a great training aid to start with and even later to work out flinch and other issues with. And if you didn't mention that there is already a .22 in the family then I think he was actually doing you a good service by trying to point you that way. But if you mentioned that you have one to shoot then he should have stopped and said "what else would you like to have then?"

A 9mm was my first gun but a .22 was my second handgun. And I'm glad it was. I would alternately shoot two mags of .22 then a mag of 9mm. The .22 really aided me with working on all the right techniques and learning to detach my gun handling from the recoil of the BANG. And for best markman... er.. markspersonship it's important to be able to "Zen" your way into operating the gun without reacting to the BANG.

Anyhow, I sure hope you're not going to stop at just ONE gun. A 686 or other suitable revolver is a fantastic way to start out. But then there's lots of nice semi's to lust after as well. And if you're enjoying the .357 kick then can a .44Mag be far behind? And if you get into .44Mag then they just BEG for the shooter to get into reloading. With suitable reloads you can produce the most MAGNIFICIENT BOOMS AND FIREBALLS ! ! ! ! The best part is that the massive loads of things like 2400 and H110 that do this are slow burning so they produce a huge push on the hands without the massive baseball bat to the hands like snap that much of the factory loads produce. And the "push" is fun that you can enjoy a lot more than getting hit in the hands with a stick.

I've also shot some reloads of 2400 powder out of .357 and again the fireball they produce is VERY satisfying....

 

[FLAvalanche]

The .22 isn't the end-all, be-all gun to start shooting with. But it is a good one to start with to learn the basics and to start building a good solid consistant base.

My girlfriend was different than most women I've taught to shoot. She was afraid of guns. Not the gun itself but the recoil and the noise. I started her out with my .45 with +P loads. Then I told her that every gun of mine she touched from that point on would have less recoil and noise than the .45. Is that the way to start everyone? No. But I knew her and her mentallity and it worked with her.

If you like the .357 then shoot it. If your hitting your target accurately all the time then your husband taught you just fine.

 

[MCgunner]

My macho son-in-law, 2 tour Iraq veteran and still active in the guard, has a flinch problem and he WON'T admit it. He has nothing smaller than a .357 and doesn't shoot .38s in it and it's a Ruger SP101. Oh, he does have a Russian Makarov.

So, one day I loaded is .44 mag redhawk up with three rounds. First two fired, third went click and the gun was pointing at the ground from the flinch. In HIS case, he needs a .22 IMHO.

He went to the range Sunday, came by afterward and told me he'd shot his chronograph. I says, "see why I never loan mine out?" Dang, I think maybe I'll buy him a buckmark for christmas or something.

 

[oldbear]

As others have posted buy the revolver you want, if not you will never be happy with anything else. I would though suggest that you spend more time shooting the 22 than the .357, until you are sure of your abilities. Remember even with an L frame gun the .357 can be an hand full until you get used to shooting it.

ALWAYS remember your hearing protection, I did not for many years, and I am now paying the price for it, and as tolerant as my lovely wife is she is even getting tired of having to repeat herself, or raise her voice.

 

[CraigC]

Depends on your intent and commitment level. If all you wanna do is make noise at the range, get whatever you want. If you actually want to build skill with rifle or handgun, there is absolutely NO better tool than a good .22LR. Regardless of what some may think, you will be way ahead of the game compared to anyone who doesn't spend time with a rimfire.

 

[rmfnla]

You already have experience with a .22 and a .357 so it's not like you haven't done any shooting at all.

Exactly; you've already taken the first step.

Enjoy your 686.

 

[weregunner]

She's got a peach of a gun.

She can tailor tha ammot to the job or scenario. She can shoot either light ,medium, or high velocity ammo through it. Since the .22lrf or .38 Special are good beginner guns that's already been covered by her with the 686.

If she wants to shoot the .357 magnum rounds right off that's her choice,too.

Yes, it might be too much at the start and as McGunner has stated flinch is something that has to be considered. So going with the lowered power rounds would be good advice.

There are also those who are the exception to that. We are not there physically to know. Her call. It would be bad if flinch or other bad habits did enter in right away, but she's stated that is covered as well in getting instruction from someone else.

In a lot of cases husbands or boyfriends can be a bad choice to be the ones to do the instructing. A lot of reasons for that. Yes, nothing might happen.

But a lot of us have to look at things realistically,step back, and let others do the teaching. The male contingents can give support and sometimes training if needed.

Many savvy gun instructors recommend starting new shooters out on the .22lrf cartridge. There are many good reasons, many already stated in this thread, that it is a good starting point and go on from there.

The .38 Special is also a good choice with the right type of ammo for the introduction and then go on from there. No harm, no foul.

Yes, other calibers can be used for training and insruction. It has to be a common sense step by step process.

 

[Mopsie]

I don't think the store clerk did anything bad. It sounds like he's recommending a .22 just like many of you are. He just didn't know I like more of a bang.

I've seen folks at the range shoot a bigger gun then go to the .22 for a bit. Maybe I should try that, too.

As long as I'm going to be spending money, I think I'll try to find an older version (586) that's blued. Just looks better, in my opinion. I'd say "prettier" but that would be a girl thing.

 

[jmorris]

I started with a 6" 357 but went with a .22 shortly after then on to reloading then...

 

[Arkansas Paul]

Don't forget to post some pics of it when you get it.

 

[DWFan]

Just a suggestion Mopsie, but if it'll fit your hands, take a look at either a Taurus M455 Tracker or S&W's M1917 or M22 or M25. The .45 ACP is inexpensive to shoot, you'll probably like the recoil level and you can always brag that yours is bigger than his. It also opens the door for getting a .45 ACP semi-auto in the future.