Questions from a novice

[geekWithA.45]

Hey! Welcome!

THR is a bastion of decency specifically to entice folks like you.

Just about everything I've heard so far seems right on. The only thing I'd like to add is that if you wind up going to your first gunshop/range "solo", is to simply be friendly and open, and see if that's returned in kind.

A good shop will go out of their way to set you at ease. A bad one will get into a a testosterone trip.

Subtract out of the equation whatever intimidation/unease you might be experiencing due to the newness of the situation, and trust your instincts.

We gunnies know that each and every newbie is precious to the continuation of America as a nation of armed citizens, and don't take kindly at all to those who abuse them.

 

[sfhogman]

First of all a big welcome!

For myself, I's have to agree with what Kudu said. I started with .22s, and I'm glad I did. No matter what else I bring, the 22s always go to the range with me. I have a Ruger 22/45, and a Ruger stainless Single Six. They're accurate, fun, and incredibly cheap to shoot.

They also help create other gun nuts, it seems. One look at the Single Six was all it took for my girlfriend's son....I'm 57 and he's 11. When it comes to that little gun we're on exactly the same page, which is a neat thing.

Jeff

 

[Brian Dale]

Hello, Control Group -- welcome to the Experimental Group!

I'll chime in on the "pick what feels right to you" chorus and second what sfhogman wrote about .22s. Like many, I started out shooting .22s, then began shooting centerfire weapons as I got bigger. They are good for new shooters, including kids: it's easier to focus on developing good shooting skills with less noise and very light recoil. People vary a lot in their sensitivity to recoil and to the particular type of recoil they get from different weapons; for example, my little sister liked shooting bolt-action .30-'06 rifles long before I did. Still, noise and recoil are distractions at a deep, visceral level.

Because they're so good to start out with, and because they're such good training tools, it's easy to get the impression that .22s are therefore only "meant for" new and somewhat-inexperienced shooters, who then "graduate" to the world of centerfire rifles, pistols and shotguns. One assumes that once they've been "toughened up," they can then handle the Big Guns.

And then one starts to notice the gray-headed old Masters here and there at the range or among new shooting acquaintances -- and these old guys and gals are shooting .22s! What gives They already know how to shoot; are they senile, and starting all over? You'll look over and see a target with the center cut out of it, and a smile on the old gal's face; you pick up on a look of triumph quietly hidden among that other old dude's wrinkles ...

The secret is this (and it isn't a secret, really -- never for very long, once you start):

.22s are fun.

And besides, the way a lot of those old Jedi Pistol Shooters got so good was to burn up enormous numbers of .22 shells in addition to firing their larger-caliber weapons. When you get your first .22, pick one that you really like; you might have it for a long time, whatever else you shoot. If it isn't perfect, don't worry; there will be more.