New Shooter

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BIGATTEMPT

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Currently in Chatham, ON
Hi everybody.

Technically, I'm not a shooter. I have never fired a gun off because I don't know if I should go with friends first, or take an actual firearms course. My guess is the course, just because I don't want any bad habits (not that I don't trust my friends!).

Currently, I am only interested in pistols - obviously not hunting - but rather just target practice at a range. Is that what these forums are for? I did notice a lot of hunting-related boards, but that's not for me.

Anyways, my friend suggested a P22 that fires rimfire rounds (which means nothing except inexpensive) or a target pistol (which I have never heard of). Do those sound like good entry guns?

Sorry... lots of questions..

When purchasing a gun - do you get to try it out first (a demo) or do you just have to come across somebody who has one? And then, should I be looking to start off with a revolver or with a pistol? My friend says a revolver will never jam so that sounds easier, but I don't want something that will break firing pins all the time either (if thats common?)


Thanks for all those that take the time to respond! Emphasize on the "How to get involved in shooting" rather than "Purchasing". ;p
 
Put your location in your profile, that way people will see where you are and can make recommendations. Depending where you live, there might be indoor ranges with rental guns you can try (no licence needed), or someone might offer to meet you at there range and let you try some of there guns. Welcome to the board.
 
I would suggest that you find a local club and try many handguns and ask many questions before you settle on any particular one. It also depends on what type of target shooting you want to do. Plinking for fun or Bullseye competition. IMO you should start with a good target pistol like a S&W mod 41, or a High Standard or if money is tight a Ruger
 
Easiest, and most fun way, is to just buy guns you want to try. Unless you break them in some way, they sell very easily, with little depreciation. Most people consider that to just be a rental fee :)
You'll end up buying a .22 handgun at some point, whether or not it's your first is up to you. I'd have been too bored with such a small gun. My first was a glock21sf, in .45ACP. I've had it 5 months now, I love it take it out every chance I get. I just bought a Ruger Single Six .22, for my 3 week old daughter, but in the mean time I'll be sure and keep it in good working order ;) Basically what I'm saying is, if you have the patience to learn to do it right from the beginning, great, get a .22, shoot a brick of ammo everytime you go out, you'll be hitting bullseyes with your eyes closed. If you're like me, you need something with a lot more kick. Both roads are taken by a lot of people, those who start smaller, have a bit of an advantage, in that they shoot more for less $$$, but that road isn't for everyone.
 
BIGATTEMPT said:
The gun that my friend has recommended is the Walther P22 or the Walther P22 target pistol. I don't really see a difference between them and he loves it as a plinker.
Click to expand...
Keep in mind that they won't look like that. Our laws prohibit barrels that short.

Here's what the extended Canadian version looks like.
waltherp22mh9.jpg
 
Here's an idea for you, if you don't mind a bit of a drive.

EESA, http://cobalt.golden.net/~eesa/ , is having an open house on the 21st and 22nd of June. If you come to this event, you can shoot an entire array of Pistols and Rifles for a nominal fee, and get to talk to a bunch of different owners of firearms. Just be warned, you'll probably walk away with wanting more than just pistols though:D

My suggestion, is to start out with a Ruger Mark 11 .22 caliber pistol though. They have a good resale value, and you can pick one up here in the EE for a good price.
 
Hey thanks rifleround. If you don't mind explaining - what does EE stand for?

To me, its electrical engineer... and nothing else.. ;)


Evan - by looks I meant that I don't know what is different between the target version and the actual version. Are they specced different in some way?
 
EE is the Equipment Exchange on this forum at the bottom of the main page. You will have to apply for access, which usually takes a day or 2 to get, but there is a plethora of firearms for sale there. You will need the appropriate licenses to buy any firearms though:D
 
BIGATTEMPT said:
Evan - by looks I meant that I don't know what is different between the target version and the actual version. Are they specced different in some way?
Click to expand...

I'm not sure. The only thing they mention is "Interchangeable barrel (sold separately) can convert the P22 from the standard configuration to the target version in minutes." I just posted the picture in case you were thinking that it would look like the pistols that you had linked to. Some people really like the look of some guns in their original form but hate the modified Canadian version.
 
;) Yeah, the barrel is the only thing I saw.. but.. the thing is: what is different about it? Do they change the rifling? (Assuming its rifled. And assuming that that means it has the curved lines in the barrels. Are these good assumptions?)

I'll have to ask a dealer I guess. I'm going to a gun shop tomorrow to see what they have going on and other such questions! Wish me luck!
 
BIGATTEMPT said:
Hey, thanks for the link nick. Now, to me, words like restricted imply AK-47s and other large fully automatic weapons.

Are pistols like this considered restricted?
Click to expand...

Pistols are mostly restricted, so long as the barrel is 106mm or longer, and they aren't 25 or 32 caliber, in which case, they be prohibitted. Except for 32 caliber pistols designed for olympic bullseye competetion. AK's are prohibitted in all forms, as are fully automatic firearms.

If all that is clear as mud, don't worry, in the time it'll take to get licensed up and ready to go, you'll understand all of it. Of course, never try to wrap your head around the "why" of any of it, as your head will instantly explode.
 
big attempt, like already suggested - line up your firearms safety courses and get all paperwork out of the way. I have heard of nobody who would just quit shooting from sheer boredom. While waiting for PAL and ATT get some gun club membership. In a club you will get lot of info and good friends, and you need it anyway for your ATT. Prepare your place for new arrivals - safe or two, lockable carrying cases, cleaning tools etc. Like parents expecting a child - same idea. So when you get your first gun it has a place to sleep so to speak.

Now, P22 is better than Rugers. I just had two shoot my P22 and someones Ruger Mark whatever, they are all same. where is that "steer the pot" button. I shot it side by side with new shoter who bought his Ruger following advices from good samritans. Grip is ugly ( disgusting), trigger is just passable. Jammed 3 times out of 5 shots. And nobody ever look at Ruger if ther is P22 nearby.

Anyways, P22 is OK as first gun. There are some intersting new models on the market from Beretta and Hammerli, I am not big fun of space age styling but newer designs from old manufacturers tend to be improved versions of good old stuff that worked well. Buckmarks are good too. Bottom line - get yourself 22 and learn basic skills of bullseye shooting. And learn shooting one handed. You can evolve into anything from there, but its really hard to unlearn bad habbits if you start plinking with big guns.
 
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