Should I Introduce Newbies to Shooting on an Evil Black Rifle?

[bushmaster1313]

Several of my 45 to 50 year old friends who have never held a gun (men and women) are itching to go out to the range.

I could start them on a .22 Henry Lever gun or my Evil Black Rifle (Bushmaster XM15 E2S)

The .22 is less threatening ,but the lever and the magazine are sometimes hard for the newbie to get used to.

The EBR is more fun, and the action stays open when it is empty.

What say the Forum?

 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

Start with a .22---work your way up. Young or old---newbies get the .22 to start with.

Bought a Savage bolt action .22 the other day specificly to get my youngest daughter and grandson started--$127+tax from Walmart--$11 and change for scope bases from Brownell's---already had the scope and rings---Leupold Rifleman 3x9x40 and Leupold QRW rings.

Didn't want a semi-auto for em because I want them to think about whats going on when they work the action.

 

[Creature]

Concur, start them on a 22 lever or bolt gun. However, I would bring the EBR and save it for the end of the their day on the range.

 

[HorseSoldier]

For teaching fundamentals, a 22 is cheap and easy. On the other hand, for fun and wow for a first range session, things like EBRs appeal very strongly to that primitive part of our brain that atavistically thrives on the notion of being the caveman who can throw thunderbolts at his enemies. 5.56 or 5.45 are great for this for new shooters

 

[Kymasabe]

I agree, bring both. let them learn the basics on the .22, than later break out the Bushmaster. .223 is a light recoiling round and pretty non-intimidating, shouldn't be a problem for your newbies to handle. If you were dragging out a 7.62x39 WASR or something like that I'd be a little more reluctant.

 

[ny32182]

AR15 is one of the easiest rifles to shoot reasonably well (even moreso for a newbie if it has an optic); plus it is a lot of fun and unless they are completely dense, something they will recognize from all sorts of media, etc... I don't see a problem with starting them out on that assuming they are able bodied individuals without irrational fears of loud noises and a little bit of recoil.

But I would also bring both. Just to save some ammo money if nothing else.

 

[jmorris]

I teach new guys and gals all the time with AR’s but I have several that are suppressed so they don’t make much more noise that the innocuous .22lr. They make it simple to engage and hit 300 yard targets (rewarding to the new shooter to hit the target "that far away.” A .22 for the basics up close will save money and takes any recoil reservations away so they can focus on what they need to do.

Teach a “new shooter” with a loud or hard recoiling rifle and you will never make an “old shooter” out of them.

 

[Hatterasguy]

Whenever I take a new shooter out they get the 10/22 first, you simply can't beat a .22 for learning. But I usually bring one or two more interesting rifles from my collection to get there interest and let them run a mag through. Recoil can be an issue, .30 cal and up rifles can sometimes be uncomfortable for a new shooter first time out, but anything under that like .223 isn't very intimidating.

If its someone younger who is into video games they generally get a kick out of shooting what they play with in the game.

 

[bigalexe]

When I take new shooters I take whatever variety I can muster up at the time. Provided I have the guns available here is the order I go in:

1.) .22lr OR Ruger 10/22 aimed @ a decent sized close target
2.) Shotgun with a light target load to finish off the target. Lowest recoil shotgun setup I can get, it's fun to make a 1"x1" pistol target frame wave back and forth.
3.) Pistol .22lr/9mm (availability) for most new people OR AR-15
4.) BIG Calibers (if I can get a 30/30 or .308 it only gets introduced here), Also shotgun slugs go here.

Alternately this happens when there is a .22lr AR available
1.) Bolt Action .22lr, "This is a gun and how it goes boom"
2.) AR-22
2a.) 3 hours later I wonder if I am gonna get to shoot any rounds today.

 

[Carl N. Brown]

OK, .22 rifle bolt-action for starters. Hunting and recreational guns first, stationary clays then thrown clays, light loads and gun heavy enough to absorb recoil. Ruger mark II .22 target pistol.

But the reason the government has a vested interest in guaranteeing the right of the people to keep and bear arms is to promote safety and efficiency with the current service rifle among persons eligible to volunteer or be conscripted for military service (the unorganised militia or the us in USA). The current service rifle is the AR.

 

[desidog]

Functionality is one thing, but from the title I'm guessing you're more concerned about the perception of the "evil" part...all black and weeeally weeeally scaweee.

I think that comes down to the people in question. Some of my friends gravitate to the tacticool end of the spectrum, while others are drawn in by wood stocks and more classical aesthetic. I think it's a great idea to bring both types, if possible, and let them do the initial choosing. Invariably, at some point you'll say, "Now take a couple shots with this one." I find this is the fun part, since they might enjoy the other one better, ergonomically or functionally; or just plain shoot better with it.

...and that can go either way too. A buddy of mine was doing better with my factory-wood-stock Mini14 than with my AR...go figure, since it is not nearly as accurate in anyone else's hands! (That's not to say he had tight groups, but he was knocking over bowling pins more regularly.)

I also think the .22lr is the best starting tool, before centerfire, but by no means mandatory.

The important thing is that everyone has fun and wants to do it again; which means Safety first.

 

[Prion]

Never laid eyes on an evil rifle. Can an inanimate object even be evil?

Call it what it is, a rifle, a carbine, AR, AK, etc.

I know you are joking but it's still lame.

Start 'em on the .22 but quickly transition to the .223 if they are ready. Your AR will likely be more fun and really get them excited about shooting.

And please refer to it as simply a rifle to your friends, so much better for all involved.

Sorry to be preachy, I just don't like hearing Brady speak on THR.

 

[Silvanus]

A lot of people say start them on a .22lr and I agree there's a lot of good arguments in favour of starting off with a .22lr. But I personally was very annoyed that I had to start with a .22 when I was younger (17). I don't even like big calibers (my favourites are 9mm and .38/.357 for handguns and 5.56 and 7.62 for rifles) but .22s are somewhat boring for me. Not only the caliber but most guns that are chambered for it... I prefer service handguns and rifles, but most .22s are designed as sporting firearms (obviously) and are rather ugly

When I want to get people interested in shooting, I usually bring my AR15, FAL, MP5, Mossberg 500, Glocks, ect. to get them excited. Sounds kinda stupid but it alway works

 

[Carl N. Brown]

Take a wide selection; let the newbies select what interests them.

The New Jersey Governor who banned the 18-shot Marlin Model 60 .22 considered it an eeevil assault weapon. Over 13 million Model 60s have been made and sold worldwide as common hunting rifles. Don't buy our enemies' definitions.

 

[MrOldLude]

1. Make them watch at least the last 15 minutes of Scarface.
2. Hand them the AR and tell them to go wild.

 

[Hatterasguy]

1. Make them watch at least the last 15 minutes of Scarface.
2. Hand them the AR and tell them to go wild.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0kEjPI6m1E&feature=related

I did that with my friends AR before sending a mag down range, its as fun as it looks.

 

[philpost]

My non-shooting brother-in-law happend to be visiting when I first got my AK; since I couldn't shoot in front of him, and not offer him a chance to shoot, I got to enjoy his fear and pain from the flash, his nerves, and the recoil

I start my children and all people I care about with a .22

 

[M2 Carbine]

Start a new shooter on a 22. If nothing else they can get a lot of trigger time at little cost.

If I'm going to teach a relatively new shooter to shoot the AR I have them run a BUNCH of magazines through this S&W M&P 15-22.


The controls on the Smith are exactly like the AR. When the shooter first picks up the AR they are completely familiar with it.

My M&P 15-22 paid for itself in about two months in .223 ammo savings.

 

[leadcounsel]

.22

The AR is an intimidating and hard weapon to learn on for the first time. I've had many newbies never be able to even hit the target and they get very frustrated.

 

[BrandonFromTampa]

millions of Americans have been taught to shoot on evil black rifles. These people fit into four basic groups: soldiers, marines, sailors, and airmen. I'm sure either will be fine. But the idea to bring both is probably the best.

 

[sig228]

+1 on M-2's response. Unlike some other 22 cal AR style rifles, controls are just like the real thing. Great learning tool, you can pick one up for less than $500. Shoot all day long on one brick.

 

[rd2007]

I don't think anything puts a smile on a face more than one of those evil black "assault rifles".. if they enjoy shooting in the slightest bit (they're curious, so they must at least think they'll like it), then they're going to like the Bushmaster.
The unfortunate thing is that a .44 Magnum wasn't an option.. start them on one of those and everything else is going to seem like a Daisy BB gun.