Necessary guns for a beginner.

[KodiakBeer]

That's a pretty broad, bold, and frankly ignorant, statement.

It may be overly broad, but quite frankly he who shoots the most (all else being equal), shoots the best. People who begin, and later supplement, their shooting with a .22 can afford to shoot 10X the number of rounds than they could if they stuck with just centerfire ammo. Practice counts.

 

[Redneck1911.45]

I would say the .22 lr 'cause...

It is made in just about every model of pistol, rifle, or shotgun. You can get it in 1911, xd, sig, and s&w. Taurus, ruger and heritige. Slide and wheel guns. Double barrel, single shot, autoloaders and lever action. Pump gun and bolt action. Once you master the action, its all a matter of recoil. Nope can't go wrong starting with a .22 lr.

 

[Redneck1911.45]

not to bring up the obvious...but its also cheap. And it is SOOOO MUCH FUN!!!

 

[BeerSleeper]

Yes! Especially when you can go out anytime and burn through 500 rounds, and it's the magazine loading hand that's a little sore, not the wallet handling hand.

 

[threefeathers]

Hi, I was thinking about the many CCW students I've had since the Monument Fire in my hometown. Men, women, and nearly all of them want their children to be able to defend themselves.

 

[1stmarine]

Ruger 10/22 or Savage MarkII bolt
Remington 12 pump or 1100 or Benelli M2

Later...
AK47 type of carbine or AR15 with a later 6x45, 6.8 upper or other hunting dedicated upper where the 5.56 is not allowed.
Glock 19

 

[Ramone]

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.

For an all around, HD/training/Plinking gun? what would you suggest?

As I said, it's my recommendation because a first gun is often the only gun for a while.

 

[dogtown tom]

Ramone For an all around, HD/training/Plinking gun? what would you suggest?

12ga or 20ga pump shotgun.

 

[Tcruse]

Why I recommend 9mm

One typical group of potential gun owners is the person that is older (50+) that feels they need self defense weapon. In this case they may or may not have had any previous experience in their younger years. In the case of me and my brother, both of us had .22 rifles and .22 handguns back in our teens and 20's. Both of us had sold or given them away. Now, 30+ years later we find ourselves looking for a "SD" gun. In this case my choice was a 9mm KelTec. It was a choice that allowed me to get started and my CCW. Shortly, I come to want more. My current inventory is a Ruger P95, Glock 26 Gen3 and a Glock 17 Gen4. My brother is still on the fence. I have looked at and "long term" borrowed others, e.g. 380 and .45ACP. If I would ever feel out gunned, I would most likely opt for .45 (1911) or 10mm Glock.

But I do think that if I would have purchased a .45 as my first gun, I would have not used it enough to gain any interest in regular range trips. It would have ended up in my sock drawer (or pistol box now).

 

[ssnake33]

I'm a real starter, and I think I will be considering the .22 thank you!

 

[230therapy]

Interesting--an entire argument based upon economics.

I started out with a SIG P220 in 45 ACP and had no trouble. I shot frequently and became pretty good at handgun shooting. I finally attended a self-defense shooting course and improved quite a bit. It was just a matter of maintenance after that.

My experience tells me there is no real need for 22 LR, but it is very nice to have. I didn't even get into 22's until two or three years in. If you're willing to buy the ammo, then it's really not an issue. Just practice correctly!

 

[Manny]

I'm befuddled by the folks that think new shooters can't handle the recoil of a .38 or 9mm but should have no problem with a 20 gauge or 12 gauge.

I started with a .22lr Single Six for my first based on the advice of experts and once I gained initial competence was quickly bored with it. It was a very poor choice as a defensive gun and incapable of being used for deer hunting, which was the other use I had for a handgun back then. As a poor collage student it was quite a while before I could sell the .22 (at a pretty good loss) and come up enough cash to move up to my first centerfire. In retrospect I would have been far better served getting a .357 and shooting .38's. I did that with a rented gun my second trip to the range and shot it better than the .22. I was disappointed to say the least and have never ever missed that .22 since I sold it.

Many people want a gun for defense and aren't all that interested in them beyond that need. Target 38's and 9mm's recoil light enough and have a low enough report that very few should have much issue gaining basic competence.
Once they do working to refine that skill can be done 50 rounds at a time. They may not be ready for a swat team at that point, but should be GTG for basic self defense.

A 50+ lady of very limited means I met some time back did it that way and it worked quite well for her. She got an S&W Sigma in 9mm as it was what she could afford. After getting some initial traing at the range she started going for an hour or so once or twice a month and would shoot one or two boxes of cheap WW white box from WalMart. Within a couple months she was pretty good, after a year she outshot a cop shooting in the lane next to her.

That was and still is the only gun she owns, or ever expects to own. It has a crappy trigger and draws disdain from some snobs, but she shoots it quite well and is thus able to feel safe in her house in a questionable part of town. A .22 wouldn't have served her well either.

 

[Sheepdog1968]

I think your suggestions are fine. The one thing I've noticed is that you don't have any centerfire rifles on your list. I'd put that in as either the third or fourth choice. My other assumption is that you should but all four kinds within a two year time frame.

For rual areas I'd suggest a bolt gun in 30-06 or 308.

For urban dwellers I'd suggest a semi auto in 223, 7.62x39, or 7.62x51.

 

[Canonsue]

I am a new lady shooter over 50. This is what I did and am doing. My goals were to learn the basics for recreational shooting then have the option of conceal carry if I wanted to.

1. Completed NRA basic pistol course.
2. Purchased .22lr Browning Buckmark for inexpensive practice.
3. Purchased .22lr bolt action rifle but I have not shot it yet. I plan on taking a lesson first for proper rifle basics.
4. Just purchased .357 Ruger revolver. I love shooting this gun. Using 38 special ammo now.

My next gun will be a 9mm auto handgun for personal defense. At this point, this all I want. I am hoping to shoot in steel competitions eventually. I am told that I am a very good shot for a beginner.

I like shooting my .22 but my path is not for everyone.

Sue

 

[threefeathers]

T Cruse, at least half of my civilian students fall into this catagory. I'm giving a large CCW class in December and I anticipate this to be the rule then.

 

[John R.]

I start kids off with a good air-rifle. Move up to a single bolt .22 short, then long onto the long rifle .22 cal. My sons are master shooters and my young grandsons under age 10 shoots ince mo's at 50 yards. I've shot about ever thing made but I still can't handle a .44 mag pistol and shoot sub mo's with one. I've never seen anyone start off with a large cal. and ever be worth a hoot at shooting. Have seen a lot of people pop a lot of caps and kick up lots of dust. I still start newbes off with.22's Men or women, and I still get gun shy when I shoot to many rounds of large Mag. loads

 

[Strykervet]

Tactical rifle fourth huh... I think you should be issued an M4 at birth but that is just my opinion. I'd feel naked without mine.

I think a good little .22 rifle and/or pistol is paramount for practice and fun. Everyone enjoys it and it is good for focusing on fundamentals cheaply.

For the first "real" one, or first handgun, they should get what they can handle... A simple striker fired pistol or DA/SA revolver would be my recommendation for a handgun. I like the Glock because it doesn't get much simpler, but I'm not a fan of their new stuff.

For a shotgun, a cheap Mossberg pump if they have to ask. If they don't have to ask, well, the world's an oyster.

As to which they should get first, I'd argue the .22. No point in getting a 9mm for the first one and firing one box then putting it up. Dip your toes with the .22. It isn't ideal for defense, but they made it this far, right? And why should they skip over the most important part of firearms training --safety, practice, the fundamentals? My first rifle was a .22 and my first shotgun a single shot 20ga. Why? Because I was a kid? No. Because I was new to firearms and this is the best way to get introduced.

They can use the .22 for defense until they master that. If they don't or can't master that, perhaps they should consider not using firearms. They can be very dangerous in the hands of the ignorant, and every new shooter should be considered ignorant by nature until sufficent practice has taken place to familiarize the shooter to the fundamentals of marksmanship and safety.

THAT should be your first and foremost concern as an instructor, and should influence every decision and recommendation you make. *I* think. Some "instructors" I guess recommend you pack a .500S&W and even carries one to prove it --this is very bad advice and a poor example to new shooters and does them a disservice.

 

[John R.]

Canonsue I think your right on track all the way down to the 9mm, I don't like nine mm rounds. Germans punched a lot of holes in or troops in world war 11 with them but never really killed many people with them. I shot a lot of rounds of 9 mm before I know better. They are ok for making little round holes in paper. If your interested in protection go with the .45 cal. auto. The .45 is a little slower burning power, doesn't make a loud ringing pop and will take out about anything in the lower 48 states. I ran a 63,00 ac. Texas ranch years back and we would cull game horse back along with Texas Parks and Wildlife.We could ride through a heard of deer horse back and that out the old one's .Everthing I shot with a .45 auto or long colt .45 went down and stayed down. Shoot one with a 9mm and you will be spending the rest of the day tracking a poor wounded deer.

 

[Wanderling]

Just what urban area can you use a .22 rifle to control small pest animals ? Any "urban" area I've lived in had this law about discharging a firearm in residential area. Granted I never lived out West, may be things are different in Nevada or AZ.

I'd say if you're in an urban area, you * need one or two handguns for self defense and home defense, in whatever caliber you're most comfortable with. I personally don't see 9mm Luger as being a hard caliber to master for a beginner. You may procure a shotgun for home defense. But I personally think you're better off with a high capacity pistol. Plus if you have kids, keeping a loaded shotgun in the bedroom is problematic.

I don't see any need for a rifle in the city, unless of course you are a hunter or sport shooter. A shotgun for firepower, a handgun or two for most other situations should do just fine. My $.02.

* you = the beginner in question, not the OP or anyone in particular.

 

[punkndisorderly]

Just too many types of beginners to even begin to answer this.

For the "buy a gun and drop it in a drawer until something goes bump in the night" beginner: 38/357 revolver and/or double barrel shotgun in caliber all adults can use. Add a way to lock them, a good flashlight, and a plan on what to do if that bump ever comes.

For someone willing to do a minimum of training, a handgun in a caliber they can handle and either a conversion kit or second firearm as close to their centerfire as they can get in .22. Ditto for rifle.

Another big believer in the value of a .22 for really learning as much as possible as quickly as possible. Instead of being the guy who shoots 50 rounds in 10 minutes and goes home, you can be the guy who shoots a while focusing on the fundamentals, the a while doing strong hand, the weak hand, then synergy work on drawing and firing from the holster, then maybe work on firing from cover, etc.

Are there good shooters that have never shot much. 22 and are great shots. Probably. I just never seem to meet them at the range. Ditto for dry fire.

 

[EchoBravo]

Like anything else, some people are just naturally better shots than others and don't take a whole lot of practice to get reasonably good, so centerfire may be a good way to start for them. Unfortunately, I am not of that group. I only shot a little when I was younger, so when I started shooting again about 1-1/2 years ago, I first bought a .22LR semi-auto (Marlin 60) for learning marksmanship, and next a 9mm semi-auto pistol (CZ75) for HD. The 9mm ammo is 6 times the cost of the .22LR. MUCH cheaper to learn on the .22 and I can shoot til the cows come home and not break the bank.

Then because I enjoyed shooting the .22 so much (and my wife does, too), I picked up a couple more .22 rifles, and a .22 pistol and .22 revolver. I'm a recreational shooter, not a hunter so I don't need a centerfire rifle. I have no desire to reload. I've read jillions of debates and stories on defense caliber and I'm 100% confident in my use of 9mm for that task. So for me, the .22 was a great first choice for my shooting goals, supplemented soon thereafter by 9mm for defense.

 

[John R.]

Echobrave You made a good point. I own many guns with many cal,s but my favorte is the .22 cal.L.R. My Wife is afraid of guns with big Booms, but I got her stooting well with the .22 cal. Got her started with my CZ Ultra Lux with it's 28.6 in. barrel which sounds more like a air rifle.Now she shoots a .22 auto 15 shot rifle and my .22 Colt diomand back.Most folks don't think a .22 is a good cal. for home defence, and its not what I preferr but sure beets a stick or knife. Yesterday I bought 555 rounds 36 grain 1280 second .22 LR bullits for just over 15 dollars (Winchesters) and you can't beat that with a stick. P.S. More you shoot, better you get. Just don't go and pick up bad habits,a .22 can kill you dead, dead.

 

[cleardiddion]

Started off with a MN 91/30 for my first rifle, which I bought 2 days after I turned
Used to go up to my buddy's place to blast off about 100rds at a time. Probably have burned through close to 3-4k rounds of ammo total now.

Got a NEF SS next. That was a fun gun that really taught the fundamentals of shotgunning.

First handgun was Pa-63. Used to buy up all the ammo that I could and sit at the range all day. People said it was too much for a first handgun but now I can punch quarters at 15yds with it.

Heck, I didn't even have a .22 rifle until I'd gone through about 8 or so centerfires of all sorts. Didn't have a .22 handgun until this year.

Does that mean I'm screwed?

Nah, I'd like to think not. Sure, .22's are nice and everything but as it's been said before they can be both useful but also harmful (in that they can be rather boring).

When I teach new shooters, I essentially let them choose the basics of what they want to start off with and work up from there. Had one person tell me they wanted the scariest gun I had, so I gave them my 4lb NEF loaded with 3.5mag slugs. They decided afterwards that perhaps listening to my suggestion of starting off with something less demanding would be better. It really boils down to the person's needs, preferences, and lots and lots of practice.