Necessary guns for a beginner.

[Panzercat]

There's a case for the .22 all day long. I'll go a different angle on a pistol. Get a Hi-Point. It's an excellent semi to cut your teeth on and a 9mm will introduce you to real recoil management without tearing your arm off. It's cheap and overbuilt to your benefit. You can abuse it, then abuse the lifetime warranty.

Once you get tired of it or feel confident in your abilities, sell it off for what you bought it (they retain their value remarkably well for being so cheap) and move up the price/quality ladder. I almost feel a .22 pistol is too far removed from heavier calibers to do much more than get you accustomed to handling the firearm, not shooting, but obviously YMMV there. For kids? Sure, .22 all day long. For adults? Nah.

 

[KodiakBeer]

Nobody can train on a centerfire handgun because ammo is too expensive to expend the thousands of rounds necessary to become competent.

The guy who didn't train with a .22, is the guy at the range who is shooting hat sized groups at a 7 yard target. The guy who did train with a .22 is the guy shooting baseball sized targets at 25 yards.

When you get into long guns at a dollar a round, you can increase the above exponentially.

.22 ammo = $20 per 500 rounds. What does 500 rounds of 9mm cost? What does 500 rounds of 30.06 cost?

 

[gatesbox]

I think the guys that shoot Hat sized groups at seven yards is usually a clear indication that they have never had formal training. The guy that introduced me to shooting still can't shoot a decent group to qualify for a CCW in the state of RI... Proper instruction makes a much bigger difference than caliber and recoil. I go to the range and shoot less than 50 rounds at 25 yards and if the group is fist sized I'm happy. Wasting ammo by shooting hundreds of rounds at a time and without an idea of what you are doing is the true handicap.

Nobody can train on a centerfire handgun because ammo is too expensive to expend the thousands of rounds necessary to become competent.

The guy who didn't train with a .22, is the guy at the range who is shooting hat sized groups at a 7 yard target. The guy who did train with a .22 is the guy shooting baseball sized targets at 25 yards.

When you get into long guns at a dollar a round, you can increase the above exponentially.

.22 ammo = $20 per 500 rounds. What does 500 rounds of 9mm cost? What does 500 rounds of 30.06 cost?

 

[Skribs]

It also depends on how frequently you go, what type of gun you have, and what type of shooting you're doing.

 

[ErikO]

One can be a beginner and still purchase good stuff.

General for all situations:

1 Handgun in 22 Long Rifle, 6 mags or speed loaders
1 Ruger 10/22 in 22 Long Rifle, 6 mags
1 Combat grade AR-15, AK-47, FAL or M1A with 20 mags and an optic
1 Service handgun with 6 mags or speed loaders
1 Shotgun
1 Bolt action rifle with quality scope chambered in a 30+ caliber cartridge. I tend to recommend 30-06 or 308 Winchester since the cartridges are so common.

These six guns cover just about anything anyone would ever need to do with a firearm. They're short for extreme situations, such as hunting the "Big 5" in Africa, but they'll do for just about everything else.

This makes sense to me.

 

[scythefwd]

1st gun just to own a gun? - single shot bolt action .22lr without a scope. Mag fed is an ok substitution. Second should be a .22lr hand gun in whatever action type your sd gun will be. I've never met a person that learned the basics properly on a .22 say the regret it. I've heard several people say they started too big and moved down to a .22 to correct bad habbits.
For sd? - depends on the situation. Close neighbors or not? Sd from 2 legs or 4?

 

[JPG19]

Nobody can train on a centerfire handgun because ammo is too expensive to expend the thousands of rounds necessary to become competent.

The guy who didn't train with a .22, is the guy at the range who is shooting hat sized groups at a 7 yard target. The guy who did train with a .22 is the guy shooting baseball sized targets at 25 yards.

When you get into long guns at a dollar a round, you can increase the above exponentially.

.22 ammo = $20 per 500 rounds. What does 500 rounds of 9mm cost? What does 500 rounds of 30.06 cost?

That's a pretty broad, bold, and frankly ignorant, statement. My first firearm was a Glock 19 and I can routinely shoot 2-3" groups throughout the various distances at the indoor pistol range at a pretty good pace. A shooter is doomed if they didn't initially train on a .22? I don't know where some of you guys come up with this stuff.

-James

 

[bearcreek]

IMO every American has a responsibility to be at least somewhat proficient with firearms same as voting or standing for the national anthem. That being said, not everyone is going to be a "gun person". I've heard it compared to driving. Many people are good drivers, as they should be, but some take it to the next level as a hobby or career. A .22 is great for those who want to do it for a hobby and somewhat valuable for those who need to become proficient for a job. I don't think it's necessary for the people who are simply fulfilling their responsibility to own and know how to use a firearm. Those people should just train with the gun they are most likely to use when they need it. As far as teaching someone who is interested, recommending a gun to them I think a .22 of some kind is a good place to start. From there it's going to vary widely depending on where their interest lies.

 

[Bozwell]

Yeah I guess I'm boned. I didn't buy a 22 as my first gun, although I now own a Kadet slide. Here I thought I was a decent shot but I guess the best I can hope to achieve is a hat sized group. So tragic.

 

[Panzercat]

Nobody can train on a centerfire handgun because ammo is too expensive to expend the thousands of rounds necessary to become competent.

Cool story, bro.

First, you make it sound like "thousands of rounds" of centerfire is a house mortgage. 9mm is $9 for a box of fifty box at Walmart. Bankruptcy here we come, amiright?

Second, you make it sound like this massive expenditure needs be made all at once; and by massive I mean $100 if you decide you're going to blow 500 rounds in a single day ($9~50rndsx2 = $18~100rndsx5) instead of, idunno, spreading it out over a few weeks like, um, normal people? You won't build skill unless you do it all now now now do it now!

Third, you seem to think it will take thousands of rounds to achieve some form of basic proficiency, something I'll refute outright. It may take thousands of rounds to achieve twitch reflexes and muscle memory, but not necessarily something better than a hat at 7 yards. Disclaimer for individual talent, skills, help, etc, but seriously.

Forth, where are you shopping? is your centerfire gold plated or something?

 

[BluesDancer]

I'll jump in with everyone else. Everybody should start with a .22 as their first long gun and their first handgun.

+1

Agreed. I have bought five guns in the past - all but the fourth were centerfire calibers, with the fourth being a .22. Only after I had bought that .22 had I realized what a grave mistake I had made by not buying a .22 as a first gun.

It's very cheap to shoot a .22, and it is an excellent tool for good marksmanship.

A .38 revolver, some time at the range, and box of 50 rounds will do fine for a quick home defense package - and that is more than enough for some people, without a doubt. Anything more, get a .22 IMO

 

[Deus Machina]

I owned an AK and Mosin Nagant before I got my first .22, but I already knew how to shoot and expected a little recoil.

IMO, also, someone's first learning gun should be in .22 LR. It might not hold their interest long, but that's another excuse to buy up! At least it's cheap, and I'd rather get that first period of shooting everything out of the way with ammo that costs $3 a box than $18.

 

[Ramone]

I usually advise beginners not to get a .22LR as their first weapon-

Not that I don't agree that .22LR is an excellent training tool, but that for many, their first weapon will be their only weapon for a while, and the next least expensive, but far more capable option is a 9mm Carbine.

9mm Ammo is inexpensive ( not as much so as .22, true, but not so bad). It's capable enough to be the choice of PD and Military around the world.

A carbine requires less training for effective accuracy, and is far better for retention and control in a struggle than a pistol.

Even in close quarters, the retort and flash from a 16" barrel is far less than either a rifle, pistol or shotgun.

 

[Steel Talon]

22lr in Rifle and a 22lr in Pistol and a pump shotgun.....Thats what a "beginner needs"

 

[dogtown tom]

Ramone ...but far more capable option is a 9mm Carbine.

9mm Ammo is inexpensive ( not as much so as .22, true, but not so bad). It's capable enough to be the choice of PD and Military around the world.

Odd.
Other than cheap ammo I cant think of a single reason anyone would want one. A 9mm semi carbine doesn't do anything well. I have a Mini Uzi and while it is a fun gun is far down the list of guns I would grab for home defense.

There are far better choices.

 

[ChopperKen]

I started with a bb gun at 7, A 20 ga single at 11.
That was the only gun I had to hunt with till I got out of the
Army.
The first gun I bought myself was a 22 rifle.
I got pretty good with it.
First pistol was a 22 Jennings. (junk)
Second was a Dan Wesson 6" 357.
It helped me learn to stalk hunt.
I love 22's and now have several. But, You can learn without one.

 

[Hawthorne2k]

There's a chicken and egg problem with new "urban" shooters: You want them to shoot and get better, but you want them to be safe as well.

For beginning urban shooters, I like a .22 revolver. Nothing teaches trigger control like a revolver, and .22 is good for recoil and cost purposes.

At the same time, though, get a CCW and/or home defense pistol so they are protecting themselves while they're learning on the .22. After that another pistol dedicated to whatever the other one doesn't do, so you have a gun at home and a gun with you at all times.

Then a .22 rifle, then whatever they want.

 

[doc2rn]

I think most people agree on the .22 being a natural low cost training round. I think most will agree it teaches fundamentals without causing reciprical bad aspects (flinching etc...). I also think that in places like IL, NY, and Cali where they make it so impractical to acquire a weapon I might consider the one and done gun. I could see buying a .45 or 9mm handgun with a .22 conversion unit. Another fine point would be the Handi-Rifle and buying a .30 cal barrel along with .22 lr and 20g/12g respectively, or an AR with many uppers.
There is no single gun for everybody, we are all different. And that is what makes America Great! No matter what your choice for a first gun is make sure to get training, follow the 4 rules, and practice.

 

[rem22long40x]

First gun ? Try a bb gun !

 

[rskent]

I have to go with the 9mm Glock or similar pistol. Not everyone shoots as a hobby
and although not ideal “a hat sized group at seven yards“ will do in a pinch.
Have a great day
Steve

 

[BeerSleeper]

The question is too vague.

Beginner what?

Beginner hunter can hunt squirrels and rabbits with a 22, but a deer hunter needs a centerfire rifle, and a bird hunter needs a shotgun.

Beginner CCW needs a carry piece. 9mm is a good balance between ammo availability and cost, and sufficient power for SD.

A homeowner preparing for home defense needs...well, lots of options here, pretty much anything centerfire will do.

My personal favorite, a beginning shooter in general, with an interest in learning proper fundamentals of good marksmanship needs (drumroll please).........................
...
...
...
...
...
A 22!! in rifle or handgun (rifle recommended).

I'm teaching my 10 year old twin boys right now, with a Ruger 10/22. I'd let them shoot the buckmark, but their hands aren't big enough to safely handle it.
They can shoot it at their age and size because...it's a 22.
We can shoot 500 rounds every weekend because...it's a 22.
They've gotten over the fear of (does it kick? will it hurt?) because...it's a 22.
They're learning muzzle control, they're learning to always put the safety on, they're learning the booger hook only goes on the bang switch when the gun is on the target, but part of learning these things means I'm right there, sometimes having to tell them, Finger! or Safety! No AD/ND's yet, but if there were to be, better 22 than anything else.

If you're learning as an adult, there's no reason you have to learn on a 22, but at the same time, there's no reason not to.

 

[lizziedog1]

Safety should be a prime factor.

I get nervous when I see a rookie shooting a semi auto handgun. I know one must teach safe gun handling, which muzzle control is a big part of. But, every trigger pull in an autoloader returns the gun into battery for a quick follow up shot.

At least with a revolver, the hammer is resting on an empty chamber after each shot. Granted, having either a six gun or auto accidently aimed at you is unnerving, but with a revolver you don't have a live round.

New shooters, espically young ones, do get excited and tend to have momentary lapses in judgement. Trying to make those as safe as possible is important, at least in my opinion.

In handguns, I really feel that first time shooters should start with revolvers.

 

[xfyrfiter]

I have been shooting for more than 50 years now. I have introduced many new shooters to the sport. I will say that the best shooters in these new shooters learned with .22 lr single shot, seems to teach the basics ie. trigger safety and control, were instilled easier with that type of gun. Video games have their place, but there is no substitute for breath control, and trigger press, that is instilled with that type of gun.

 

[Hunter125]

I started out shooting my dad's Dan Wesson .357 Mag and his .22 rifles at 5. I had a Daisy BB gun at 7 or 8 and he gave me my Model 60 at 7. When I was 14 I bought my 12 ga 870 and when I graduated college my parents and inlaws got me a .40 S&W XDm.

My dad just bought my brother in law his first 10/22 for his 27th birthday. He doesn't seem bored with it at all. Now he is soon to get a G17. I would rather see a shotgun in the middle there, but it seems like a good fit for him.

My ideal for a new shooter would be .22 rifle, pump shotty, service pistol. Not the best for everybody though.

 

[hermannr]

Things are missing in this discussion. Women.

Some women (like mine of 43 years) do not like to shoot large calibers, but shoot the smaller stuff really well.

Evereyone wants to train their kids and grandkids...so start small, don't develop bad habits and practice.

My first gun was a SS "boys" .22 at age 12. My dad told me when I showed safe and responsible use of the SS, then we could talk about a repeater. I got the repeater for my next birthday, a used Marlin 80 that I still have.

My next gun was a .38 Colt revolver and a Rem 700 bdl bolt action hunting rifle in .264. I also now have several CZ pistols of various calibers and a Win 1897 pump 12 ga. and my wife has a couple High Standard pistols (Trophy and Olympic)

From my experience, I would start with a .22 rifle, learn the basics, learn safety and then decide what you need after that. Don't discount a 20 ga. when it comes to shotguns also. Same for a starting out pistol, .22 will allow you to inexpensively learn the basics and not develop bad habits.

Of all the firearms we own, we shot the .22s 10X more than any other weapon we have. We have a set of 1/5 scale silhoettes that are just a blast with the pistols.