First Time Shooter - what firearm?

[tobimaru]

Those Ruger target pistols are great to learn on and no recoil.

A Makarov makes a good first pistol too IMO.

 

[pawngal]

Surprised that renting or borrowing a 22 revolver wasn't mentioned to start out rather than purchasing (unless you have a hankering for one yourself)
If she likes shooting she will probably want to move up to a bigger caliber.
(first gun of any kind I shot was a 38 semi-auto when I was 18)

 

[kenv1950]

Funny some of you brought up the Single Six, I just picked one up to train my niece that's staying with me

 

[cmort666]

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

A .22 is an excellent choice as a first handgun.

The first handgun I shot was a Smith Model 41, since that was what our college basic pistol course had, courtesy of the ROTC department.

A .22 revolver is a good first gun, although unlike some, I'd go with a swing-out cylinder DA/SA gun. I don't know what S&W makes in that regard these days. Ruger and Taurus probably have something appropriate.

As an alternative, a Ruger MkII/III or a Browning Buckmark would be great.

After that, if it were me, I'd go with a .38/.357 revolver using .38 bullseye loads.

Any of these guns need adjustable sights. You need to learn to aim before you learn to aim off.

 

[jag312]

I have taken many people shooting for the first time, both adults and children. I have found that some people are a little intimidated with a handgun but are more comfortable with a rifle. I let them shoot my Winchester 9422, and they like it. Probably from seeing so many Western movies and television shows, they seem to instinctively know how to use it.

 

[cmort666]

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.

That presumes some place to shoot such a firearm.

In many urban areas there's no place to shoot ANY non-pistol caliber long gun. The closest place open to the casual public I know of to do it in the Cleveland area is both a long drive and a dubious learning environment. It's basically a muddy field full of shot up junk, with no facilities, not even target stands. There's no supervision.

A beginning shooter needs a safe, orderly environment in which to learn. Don't assume that everybody has that available when it comes to rifle shooting.

 

[jackvs1]

Try Select Fire Training Center at 1267 West Bagley Road in Berea, OH, an excellent indoor range, staffed by friendly firearm professionals, an excellent learning and training environment.

I am in Virginia!

 

[BCDWYO]

For handgun training I'd agree with a .22 revolver. However I would respectfully disagree with starting training with a single action. Assuming that any revolver she may work up to in the future for self defense would likely be a double action, I think it would make more sense to get her used to a double action trigger from the start. It is a lot easier to transition from DA to SA later than vice versa IMO. Furthermore, the grip and feel of most double action revolvers is quite a bit different than single actions. The key is to find a double action revolver with a nice smooth DA pull. A real stiff or stagey trigger is hard to shoot well for anyone, and will be especially frustrating for a newbie! Be safe and have fun!

 

[Razsmom]

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

Even though I was in the U.S. Navy, I never had reason to be issued a fire arm. The only time I had ever shot any weapon was in Boot Camp, until recently. Therefore I am a relatively new user of handguns. I've done very good with my very first Smith & Wesson revolver, which is a pro series model 60 J frame. I truly love this particular revolver and have no regrets in choosing this model for learning to shoot with... It is a .357 magnum, but I also love my model 637 S&W Wyatt Deep Cover Performance Center revolver, which shoots 38+P. Both are great shooters and easy to handle. The hubby just interjected the fact that a 22 LR would be a great first time weapon for your daughter. I am all about revolvers even though I do own one semi auto. I love the grace and beauty of the revolver as well as its functionality. S&W revolvers rock!

 

[cmort666]

Try Select Fire Training Center at 1267 West Bagley Road in Berea, OH, an excellent indoor range, staffed by friendly firearm professionals, an excellent learning and training environment.

I shot a handgun there a few weeks ago.

I was speaking strictly in terms of rifles.

With a .22lr conversion unit, I could see shooting an AR indoors. Otherwise, not so much.

 

[Rastoff]

Assuming that any revolver she may work up to in the future for self defense...

Maybe, but for the first time out, there's nothing wrong with a single action.

I bought a Ruger SP101 in .22LR specifically for first time shooters. It can be fired double or single action. It is relatively small so it's not intimidating. Yet, it's not so small as to be difficult to hold. The double action is not as nice as a Performance Center S&W, but it's smooth enough. In my opinion, it's the perfect first time handgun.

Also, at about $500 it won't break the bank.

 

[blasterp7]

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.

+1

Although I would say any .22LR rifle that you can pick up cheap single shot, pump or bolt. Save the semi-s for more experienced shooters.

Then the .22 revolver. My favorite for teaching new people is my 34-1.

 

[cmort666]

Sorry for the thread drift!

cmort66 complained about the lack of a good range near Cleveland, OH, so I informed him of my favorite.

Actually, I noted the lack of a good RIFLE range near Cleveland.

There are several RIFLE ranges, NONE of them near, accessible, AND a good learning environment.

Sycamore is good and relatively near, but by membership only, and there's a waiting list.

Malvern is a fantastic range, but far, by membership only, has a waiting list (or did), and is occupied with matches on Saturday and Sunday.

A&A is somewhat far, primitive, and unsupervised.

Kelbly's is somewhat far. I don't know what the current usage policy is. I used to be member. I don't know if you HAVE to be to use the range. It's primarily benchrest oriented.

Those are the RIFLE ranges of which I'm aware in the general Cleveland area (and Malvern is really stretching "Cleveland area".

 

[M E Morrison]

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

Personally I would suggest a .22 revolver, as it's easy for a beginner to forget there is another cartridge ready to go. Then up to a .38, or 9mm, depending on how she does with the revolver. Let her try an auto, so she can make an informed decision.

 

[the ringo kid]

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

Id start her out with a twenty two. After she was comfortable with that?then id go nine MM.

 

[the ringo kid]

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.

Ditto above.I took a first timer out using one ofmy Rough Riders SSAs. I liked the fact that he couldnt just go and bang bang till ammo gone.I liked that he had to concentrate on cockiing it-then aiming and pulling the trigger. Besides that--he was using MY ammo and MY gun.

Another I took out about ten days ago--went and bought a Rough Rider from Academy for about one hundred seventy bucks. However--we still used: MY ammo.

 

[venomballistics]

I am a little old school in that I believe one should cut their marksmans teeth on a rifle.
Caliber ... I'm not a fan of the 22LR since the ammo/powder shortage.
In fact I started falling out of the rimfire camp decades prior.
If you can't reload it, you don't need it.
357 magnum lever actions seem to be my new standard training rifle until further notice.
a good cast bullet and a reasonable load makes for a spectacular range rifle you just don't outgrow

 

[Glockman9mm]

Well with what I have and no 22 pistol.

I'd go 10/22 and then the AR if said person wanted to try a bigger caliber rifle.

On to handguns? I'm grabbing the GP100 and some 130 grain FMJ will be my tactic. That damn thing hardly moves with those loads it's almost laughable.

I've got a new shooter lined up whenever she can swing the time away from her life and kids.

 

[jackvs1]

Thanks for all the advice folks. I will be sticking with the revolver, most likely a M34 (with box) so I can keep after I mover her on to the 22LR semi. I like the advice and agree to start with the training at home, go through the revolver nomenclature, and do a little dry firing. If I happen to see a M17 or M617, I may pick up. All 4inches.

 

[jackvs1]

The final verdict - I bought a Model 34, 2 inch, numbered grips and box and I bought a Pre 34, 4 inch, numbered grips and original red box. I am going to shoot both and that will be my daughters revolver to begin her target shooting journey then on to a semi. Once she moves on, both the pre 34 and 34 will be mine. YES!!!!