22 For A First Handgun... Ranting...

NaOH

NaOH

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Why is it so many people tell a first time handgun buyer to get a .22 then something bigger down the road?

If I wanted my first shotgun would I be told to buy a 410, then a 20 gauge then after lots of experience buy a 12 gauge?

Would they give the same reasons (easier to learn good habbits with less recoil, cheaper to shoot so buy more ammo, etc)?

Buy what you want and learn to shoot it I say.

Rant off. :?
 
I'm of a mixed school on this. Yes, get what you want and learn to shoot it; but on the otherhand, 22 ammo is cheap compared to 9mm, 40, 45, etc...

Mind you, for the price of a cheap 22 (which I assume one will "outgrow" and move to larger calibers), you can get a lot of reloads to learn on.
 
Hi

Seen lots of beginners get something big as their first gun. Ten years+ later they are still less then average shots.

My first handgun was a S&W model 17 .22 revolver back in 86/87. Still have it, still use it. Added a ruger mark2 a few years later. Sold it a while back when I got a Hi Standard. Use the Hi Standard and the S&W to teach newbies that join the gun club.

I shoot a lot of Centerfire pistol (IPSC/IDPA) but I still enjoy shooting my .22s

Another good reason to make a good .22 your first pistol, got a girlfriend? :D


Sticker
 
Simple; 22s are cheap enough to shoot that you can actually PRACTICE what you need to to become a decent shot. Further than that, I'd probably suggest a 22 revolver like a K22 or a 17/617, just because you can use single-action to see the actual precision that you're capable of, then try to match that with double-action.
 
NAOH : Why a rant? When someone asks for a recommendation on what to buy first time round, we all answer with our opinions . YOURS MIGHT NOT BE RIGHT, MINE MIGHT NOT BE RIGHT, they are JUST OPINIONS that may have worked for us. In my opinion a .22 is a good investment , lots of shooting with a low entry cost. There are probably more than a few people out there with a large calibre pistol that they don't shoot because a box of shells at their local sporting goods store cost $50 a box of 50. But ,in the end it is up to the reader to make his/her own decision.
 
I shot airguns a lot before I moved to firearms (still do sometimes) so had no real pulpous for a .22 and still don't, since I can shoot airguns whenever I want....

but for someone who has no experience with shooting and doesn't have a lot of money but wants to shoot a lot .22lr is a great choice.
 
My first handgun is still my fav. S&W 629, unfluted cylinder, full underlug. Second was a single stack racegun in 38super.

Somehow, I managed to learn to shoot with these two, expensive to operate guns. Buy what you want for the type of shooting you want to do. If you want to shot at closer distances, a 22 is fine. If you want to try for a bit of distance, make sure you get something suitable.
 
I don't quite get it either...I have a .22 conversion for my 1911, and a 10/22. I bought them thinking that I'd use them to practice, but the fact is that I have more fun shooting centerfire.
 
I started off with centrefire and have never felt the need to use a 22. In fact if I would have started with a 22 I doubt I would have kept up my interest in pistols.

People who can't afford the ammo are probably a very small percentage of handgun shooters.
 
For 150 duckets get a Norinco Woodsman copy, learn how to shoot one handed properly, sell it very soon after and get something bigger.
I first started with air rifles and I aint bad with rifles. (but I still have my air rifle)
They will help a LOT with flinching since you first get used to the sound of a 22 instead of being shocked by the one of a larger caliber.
Just my .02$

But centerfire is the #### :twisted:
 
Another reason is that someone might be discouraged from shooting something like a .45 on their first trip to the range.
Click to expand...

My first handgun was a .40 and I admit I had a heck of a time learning how to shoot it well. Now when I take a newbie to the range we always start them out on the .22 pistols. That said, I don't personally own one myself, I just make sure I take a newbie at the same time my buddies are going to the range too so we can shoot their guns as well :D After they have had a go at the .22 we move them up the chain as far as they want to go, from the .22 to 9mm to .40 to .45 to .44 to .500 (if they are brave enough :D ).

Most of the newbies I have taken have tried everything we have to offer on their first trip to the range.
 
Why the rant? :?

If you don't like the answers, do as you will!

There are no secret to be a good shooter... you simply need to pratice, practice and practice some more...

If you got the $$ to shoot 500 rds of CF a week, good for you! Most people can't afford it... so a .22 makes more sense.

I would say that 99% of all the "new" shooters I've met over the years, have had a bad case of flinching... the noise/blast/recoil of CF doesn't help... so a .22 make more sense.

Of course, this does not apply
-if the new shooters will only be shooting is rifle/handgun from a bench with sand bag...
-If your targets never make it past the 10 meter line... (I'm not talking about air rifle/pistol target :lol: )

My 2 cents worth...
Mike.
 
NaOH, I agree with you. I remember teaching "Lucky Lynn" how to shoot. I started her with a 22 and she had no interest in it. Lucky Lynn went straight for my 45 Colt and 45acp revolvers and she has never looked back. Lynn liked my 4" M625 45acp and 6" M25 45 Colt so much that she nagged me until I sold them both to her. Lynn's latest revover purchase from me was a 3" Taurus 44 Special I didn't need. Regards, Richard :D
This is the Taurus M431 I sold to Lynn:
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