I have a 16 year old daughter who I would like to take shooting at a local range. I am thinking I should start her out with a 22 LR. So am I correct on that caliber as starting out? What firearm would you buy, used or new? Then transition into a 38 cal or 9MM? I prefer Smith & Wesson. Thanks
First Time Shooter - what firearm?
- Thread starter jackvs1
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My choice for complete newbies is a Ruger Single Six, then you could mve to an M&P .22 compact (or perhaps another .22 semi, there are several good ones) with time.
The limitations posed by loading the Ruger, and the pace of firing tend to make every round important.
If she came to me, we would start and stay with my Single Six until the basics were mastered.
The limitations posed by loading the Ruger, and the pace of firing tend to make every round important.
If she came to me, we would start and stay with my Single Six until the basics were mastered.
Rastoff
US Veteran
Hands down, the best gun to start a new shooter on is some variety of .22LR rifle. The rifle is by far the easiest gun to hit anything with and a .22 has no appreciable recoil. The Sturm Ruger 10/22 is inexpensive, accurate and easy to get parts for.
If it has to be a handgun, I use one of these two:
Of course any .22 will do.
There is also a specific course of fire I use for new shooters. It goes like this:
Why do this? I've seen major mistakes from new shooters more than once. It's not their fault because they just don't know better. Teacher teach, student do. If we aren't teaching, they won't learn. There are a few holes in the roof where I shoot. This is most likely due to a new shooter with a semi-auto. First shot is fine, but they don't have control of the gun. It recoils up and they accidentally pull the trigger a second time. This equals a hole in the roof.
I've actually seen one shooter empty a full mag this way. Very scary. If they had started her with one cartridge, this would never have been a problem.
Further, a safe first day will make a life long shooter. A scary first day will ruin most for life.
If it has to be a handgun, I use one of these two:
- Ruger SP101 .22LR
- Ruger Mark III (any variant)
Of course any .22 will do.
There is also a specific course of fire I use for new shooters. It goes like this:
- Load one round in the mag or cylinder. Let them fire that way a few times. Once they show proper safe handling and muzzle control, move on.
- Load two rounds. This way they can feel the semi-auto cycle and shoot two in succession. Once they show proper safe handling and muzzle control with two, move on.
- Load a full mag or cylinder and let them have some fun.
Why do this? I've seen major mistakes from new shooters more than once. It's not their fault because they just don't know better. Teacher teach, student do. If we aren't teaching, they won't learn. There are a few holes in the roof where I shoot. This is most likely due to a new shooter with a semi-auto. First shot is fine, but they don't have control of the gun. It recoils up and they accidentally pull the trigger a second time. This equals a hole in the roof.
I've actually seen one shooter empty a full mag this way. Very scary. If they had started her with one cartridge, this would never have been a problem.
Further, a safe first day will make a life long shooter. A scary first day will ruin most for life.
CATI1835
US Veteran
By all means, a .22LR to start. Preferable a revolver. Then move to a .22 semi auto. With this gun she will begin to learn the basics of clearing malfunctions. I am being serious, most 22 semis are very picky about ammo. Learning to clear jams is not a bad thing, however. In terms of reliability, I have a Ruger MK3 that eats everything I feed it. My S&W MP22 is almost as good.
Rastoff
US Veteran
I forgot this part.
Once they show confidence with the .22, you can immediately go to a larger caliber. The actual caliber doesn't matter. If they have a proper grip, they are all equally controllable.
Once they show confidence with the .22, you can immediately go to a larger caliber. The actual caliber doesn't matter. If they have a proper grip, they are all equally controllable.
Grayfox
US Veteran
JMHO, I believe the ideal starter gun for a new shooter is a .22LR single shot rifle with iron sights. They will have to concentrate on the fundamentals, can't rush very much and learn to make each shot count. If it must be a handgun, I'll go with a revolver.
Bob T
US Veteran
Pistol: Ruger Single Six.
Rifle (if you can find one): Winchester Model 60A.
Rifle (if you can find one): Winchester Model 60A.
Marshwheeling
Member
Ruger auto, Mark I, II, or III, any flavor. A new shooter is more likely to succeed in hitting what he aims at with one of these, and therefore more likely to come back for more.
GatorFarmer
Member
M4 type carbine with an optical sight, preferably Eotech. Yes, really. Kids find them interesting and are usually already familiar with the sighting system thanks to video games. Recoil is negligible and it easy to hit with. Finding 5.56 mm will be easier than getting .22LR. The Army and Marines introduce new shooters with AR type rifles all the time.
15-22 with either stock irons or a Bushnell TRS-25 red dot, 10 round mag (blocked to 5 if possible). A sled device for single shot loading would be nice, too. Are you listening, S&W?
cowart
US Veteran
Very young girls often lack the hand strength to easily load 22lr semi auto pistol magazines. If that is what you get her, get her a loading tool also.
cowart
US Veteran
Thats true - the first center-fire rifle I ever fired was an M-16 in basic training.
quneur
Member
A woman teacher. If your daughter has never shot before then a bunch of terrors are probably running through her head. A woman teacher will likely be a bit less intimidating. If a woman can handle a firearm easily, why can't she?
ChattanoogaPhil
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There's a lot to take in the first day shooting. I think a .22 rifle on a bench gives the new shooter and new coach the easiest tool to start with. Once the kid gets used to the idea of the range and things that go bang, then a handgun.
If starting out with a handgun... beware. You can tell them to keep the muzzle pointed down range, but when they hit that soda can or bullseye for the first time there's a tendency to swing around for approval.
Remember, have fun.
If starting out with a handgun... beware. You can tell them to keep the muzzle pointed down range, but when they hit that soda can or bullseye for the first time there's a tendency to swing around for approval.
Remember, have fun.
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m1gunner
US Veteran
I taught my wife to shoot a handgun. She really did not like the Ruger Mk II , but really liked the Colt 357 with 6" barrel shooting soft 38 sp loads.
I was surprised, thinking she would prefer the 22.
I was surprised, thinking she would prefer the 22.
Model 34. Some shorts to start. Them some longs. The the long rifle. Form and function. Most think the bullseye is the most important. I'm thinking once they get used to a good revolver they will work their way to the center of the target.
Grayfox
US Veteran
I want to add that the teaching should begin at home. Get her familiar with the firearm, how it functions, safety and the fundamentals long before the first bang. Make sure she knows what to expect as well as what is expected of her. It can be difficult to get the message across on the range when there are other people around making loud noises.
