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

I've never owned a .22 handgun! :oops: But I have had: .32's, .380's, .38 S&W's, 9mm's, .38 Spl's, .357's, a .44 Spl, .44 Magnum's, and .45 Auto's. I learned how to shoot just fine with a 6" .357 Trooper which I later swapped for a Smith M-27. The biggest improvment to my shooting came with the use of ear protection....Elmer never used them!
 
One thing that baffles me about the recommendation to buy a .22 as a first pistol is the claim that it is "cheap to feed". Inherent in this sentiment is the assumption that new shooters are poorer than experienced shooters and are therefore less likely to be able to afford centerfire ammunition. This just doesn't make sense to me.

Likewise, I don't get it when people recommend buying a Norinco or some other cheap firearm of questionable quality as a first handgun. Again, where does the assumption that new shooters are poor come from? Personally, I would recommend buying a quality $1000+ gun if you can afford one. As a first gun, you want something that is reliable and doesn't require sending it to the gunsmith all the time or trying every load available on the market to find something that would feed reliably. The last thing you want as a new shooter is a junker gun that will turn you off from the sport of shooting.
 
capp325 said:
Likewise, I don't get it when people recommend buying a Norinco or some other cheap firearm of questionable quality as a first handgun. Again, where does the assumption that new shooters are poor come from? Personally, I would recommend buying a quality $1000+ gun if you can afford one. As a first gun, you want something that is reliable and doesn't require sending it to the gunsmith all the time or trying every load available on the market to find something that would feed reliably. The last thing you want as a new shooter is a junker gun that will turn you off from the sport of shooting.
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+1

Nothing will turn off a new shooter faster then a unreliable gun! You want them to pratice their aiming skills... not their ability to clear a jam...

As for the $$ issue... it all depends on who's the new shooter and where he/she is at in their life...

For a new "high school" shooter,the $150 for courses/FAC, $200 membership to a gun club, $500 for gun and $100 in safety equipment (glass and hearing protection, trigger lock, gun case...) add's up pretty fast. For $20 in ammunition, they will learn better shooting technic firing 500rds of 22 then 50rds of 45acp.

If your new shooter is a middle-aged man/woman... money might not be that much an issue...

Another important thing to consider, is how often will that "new" shooter be using is pistol. Will he be going to the range once a week, once a month, once a year?

That reminds me of a friend trying to convince me to buy a F150 pick truck... from his point of view, it didn't take much more gasoline then his wife's Accord... Of course neither of them drove their vehicules much :lol:

Safe shooting,
Mike.
 
I agree. I started on a Colt 1911, and learned to shoot just fine. As stated above, buy the best gun you can afford and practice. I have seen lots of folks have the lights turn on and the gears click, when they used a higher end gun with decent trigger and better sights. Also note that just shooting lots is not necessarily practice. You could and should also spend some time holding a sight picture, dry firing, practicing a smooth draw etc.
 
I'm more towards the .22 idea. Learn the basics, practice the fundamentals on a .22 then move onto something bigger. This doesn't work for everyone... I just find that you ease into it better, practice a lot more for a lot less $$$ with a .22
I guess the shooter's character has something to do with it too.... if they are more ambitious or timid. I wouldn't let a shy novice start on a .44 mag or anything like that.......

Regards,
 
Corey3 said:
... So that's what "duckets" means.
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The Rap Dictionary has it as; noun duckets
1) Cash, money or bills, from "ducats": various gold coins formerly used in certain European countries.
2) Often mispronounced as "dunkets."
eg: "He's gettin' juiced for his duckets" -- N.W.A. (I ain't the one [1988
See:http://www.rapdict.org/Main_Page

Also I have to agree with Boomer686. I have a P99 & a P22. I was at the range over the weekend practicing IPSC stuff, (proper holster usage, moving-double tap, reload & move then double tap again kinda stuff.) I would start slow with the 22, do it 3 or 4 times, then do it again in 9mm. I blasted through 500 rnds of 22 & 200 9mm (more or less). If I did that all with factory 9mm, it would have cost me around $180. Cuz I was using a 22 & reloaded 9mm I bet the real cost to me was under $30.
 
Over the years I have taken many non shooters to the range (as should we all). Some because they were curious, some to shut them up and at least one who lost a bet and was brave enough to honour it. She enjoyed herself alot.

I would never start a new shooter with anything besides a .22. I can start them off slowly to ease them into the idea of shooting without the muzzle blast and recoil. Once they know what it is all about then we can progress to larger stuff. Some are ready to go after 30 rds, some are happy to plink with my High Standard all day. The point is, if I didn't have one I would not be able to do that.

I take my .22 to the range with me every time. I start out with a couple of 10 shot strings just to get my head into the right place before I start with the .44, .357, 9mm or what ever.

I agree that most people will graduate very quickly to big bores guns, but if you do not start people off with what they can handle safely and with confidence, you run the risk of scaring them off the sport and I do not think that we can really afford that. I would not like to see a new bike rider trying to learn on a 1300cc superbike or have a 16yr old take his driver test in a Ferrari F40 so why do we think its a good idea for a new shooter to get a .44 mag just because we have one and we like it.

This is why I personally will always recomend a good quality .22 for a new shooter.
 
Capp325, I quote:

"I don't get it when people recommend buying a Norinco or some other cheap firearm of questionable quality as a first handgun."

There are exceptions to every rule. I have yet to see a Norinco 1911A1 that isn't worth its salt as it comes out of the box. The Norinco 1911A1 pistols ('rincos) work as well as Gold Cups just as they come in the box. We are taught to revere Series 70 Colt Government pistols. Guess what? the first 1911 I purchased was a Series 70 Colt Government pistol and it was a POS. How bad was it? So bad I do not miss it!

Regards,

Richard :D
 
I like the idea of starting out on a 22.

I started out on a bull bbl ruger MK11. Now this is different then starting with a cheap .22 .

I still bring it with me each time I hit the range. It is a great handgun.
 
NaOH said:
Why is it so many people tell a first time handgun buyer to get a .22 then something bigger down the road?
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maybe because the first time buyer asked "what caliber handgun should I buy"

just a thought :?:
 
richardoldfield said:
There are exceptions to every rule. I have yet to see a Norinco 1911A1 that isn't worth its salt as it comes out of the box. The Norinco 1911A1 pistols ('rincos) work as well as Gold Cups just as they come in the box. We are taught to revere Series 70 Colt Government pistols. Guess what? the first 1911 I purchased was a Series 70 Colt Government pistol and it was a POS. How bad was it? So bad I do not miss it!
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I agree that there are always exceptions, but judging from what I read about the experiences of people on this board, Norincos are hit or miss.
 
A 22 handgun should be in every shooters kit box. When you start missing (and you will), it's a great way to refresh and concentrate on technique to combat fatigue induced flinch or lack of concentration. I have a dozen or so 22 handguns, I teach a lot of young folks how to shoot, and the 22's always get the nod. Yes, they all want to shoot medium and big bores, but if you can't concentrate on what you are doing because of recoil or muzzle blast, you will only hit something through luck. FWIW - dan
 
It's funny, I have always suggested a .38 or .357 revolver as a first pistol, and use the money you save on an autoloader for basic reloading set up. You can normally find a premium quality used revolver quite cheap comparitively and the process of reloading gives you a better understanding of shooting as a whole. Then you can start off with target wadcutters and move up to higher power loads. Also I find that it's easier for revolver shooters to transition to autoloaders than for an autoloader shooter to transition to revolvers. Just my $.0214 (GST included)
 
When I started shooting, first pistol was a 9mm SIG, then a S&W 686 and 645, and Llama .44mag.....who wants a wimpy little .22LR? :roll:
Well, I finally got a Ruger 22/45 last year, and now I have 3 .22lr handguns, and I wish I had started with one of these first. You get tired of chasing brass and freezing your fingers off in the snow digging for your brass......it's real nice to be able to go out, shoot 500 rounds for $12 and not worry about the brass. At least one of the .22's comes to the range with me every trip.
 
I am 66% through my club level handgun course and the more I shoot it, the more I'm thinking of buying the Ruger Mk II or maybe a new Mk III. I really wanted to buy a D.A. revolver first but I like the Ruger.

I never really thought too much about caliber for a first handgun. I assumed I'd buy a 9MM. Now it will be a .22 followed by a centerfire.

Considering all the Mk II self loaders that are sold, how come very few of them are offered for resale? :)

Ripstop
 
The fact is, any trigger wiggling improves your shooting, so why not trigger wiggle on the cheap when you are just starting out?

Plus, you can get used to the whole "wiggle -> bang" phenomenon, without getting a flinch.

I bought a 22/45 not too long ago, and it is great. trouble free, reliable, and cheap. $309 at wholesale sports.
 
SDC is giving you good advice. If you were to begin your shooting carrer with a 9mm or other centre fire pistol, you'll soon find yourself flinching from the a. recoil b. from the noise. You cannot develop proper shooting techniques unless you keep a. and b. to a minimum because flinching is very deleterious to accuracy. Ideal for a beginner is a target grade .177 air pistol in conjunction with qualified instruction. It all depends what you motivation for learning how to shoot is.
 
I'm for the .22's as well. Regardless of income, most people won't try a new sport by going into a shop and putting down a grand on something ###y from the movies, then paying $20+ a box for ammo plus all the other related fees. I became more fond of recoil as I went along and traded up to bigger calibres in most of my handguns, but still have a couple of .22's for fun and friends.

If not a .22, I would recommend that a new shooter get a .357 Magnum wheelgun from S&W or Ruger. The .38's in that feel like .22's but provide more satisfaction...when the new addict starts reloading, then the sky's the limit :)
 
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