What should I buy first?

[Browning 35]

Wow, are you all under 30? Back in the day, a basic .38 Special revolver was usually recommended as a first pistol. No real manual of arms, if it doesn't go bang, pull the trigger again. I can still find used, 4" barreled Model 10s for under $300. Speed loaders are $12 each, new. They work for concealed carry, too.

No, but I wish I was under 30.

I used to be a big fan of revolvers, but progress marches on.

All the advantages you just listed above pretty much apply to Glock 19's (except pulling the trigger again...with the Glock you'd have to rack the slide quickly and then pull the trigger again if you had a FTF). They're simple, unlike revolvers they're practically indestructible, 9mm ammo is actually slightly less expensive than .38 Spl, they're just as accurate, the capacity of what you have in the revolver AND the speedloaders is about what you have in just a single G-19 mag and if you're willing to buy a former police issued Gen 3 or just a used Gen 2 you could make that price tag as well.

I like guns that work. Glocks work. I'll stick with something time proven if it still competes adequately with current technology, but I won't stick with something based solely on nostalgia and perhaps a $40 reduction in price (although I have seen Glocks for less than $300 before, usually they're just slightly above that).

Just saying...:Shrug

[praharin]

On another forum, a guy posted a Glock 19 (that became a Glock 26L) that he got for $100... I hate guys like that.

[chrisw]

an ar? $1000ish. a glock 19? $500ish. I feel that if we are more proactive about suggesting a used pawn shop marlin model 60 or other used .22's that usually sell for $100 or under we will find many more gun owners in our midst. Too many times we see this in all walks of life. Some people do it with gym memberships. $150 to sign up and $50 a month? naw i'm all set. $50k 5 series BMW? i'll go with the Honda Fit instead thanks. 4 bedroom house on the beach? I'll take the 2 bedroom first floor condo. If the assumption is that no matter what we say, the individual we are talking to is going to listen blindly then yeah all day long pick up a glock 19(my favorite pistol) and a Colt 6920 with a dozen extra mags for each plus 4k rounds of 556 and 2k rounds of 9mm half of which are JHP's. Every time someone asks me what they should get for a first gun I don't answer them I simply take them to my local range where I am a member with a marlin model 60 and a ruger 10/22 and let them shoot them both. Without fail I am 100% at converting these individuals into, "holy shit that was fun" .22lr owners. I know that our constitutional 2nd amendment rights are threatened on a daily basis and every time I put a $75 pawn shop POS marlin 60 in someone's closet i make a family of voters that now understand how important the 2nd amendment rights are. Not to even mention that more than half of them buy more firearms down the road. I have more fun with my .22 than any other guns that I own. I don't expect any type of zombocalypse or whatnot in my lifetime in reality, but if it did in fact happen and I could pick only one rifle to be with me it would be my .22. I can carry 2k rounds at the same weight as someone's 250 rounds of .223. Moral of the story is that not only do I personally believe that .22's are the bawlz, but i know that very few people out there bitch and moan about $95 for a rifle and a 500 round value pack of ammo but many will bitch at the 1k for an ar and another $500 for ammo. Suggest a .22 to put more guns in the hands of responsible americans. A rifle that costs the same as a dinner for two is much easier of a sell than something that goes for 3 months worth of car payments.

[Lodewijk]

On another forum, a guy posted a Glock 19 (that became a Glock 26L) that he got for $100... I hate guys like that.

Jesus I don't even like Glocks and the thought of a $100 G19 makes me stiff.

[praharin]

...every time I put a $75 pawn shop POS marlin 60 in someone's closet i make a family of voters that now understand how important the 2nd amendment rights are...

How, may I ask, does owning a gun (any gun) make anyone understand the 2nd Amendment?


I honestly believe that we need to recommend to people what is practical for that individual. In my opinion, the best thing to suggest is a Glock 19 sized 9mm. The S&W SD9 costs less and is about the same size, if that makes it easier for someone. Not everyone is ready for that step, for those people a 22lr rifle might be a better choice. A bolt action hunting rifle might be the better choice for someone interested in hunting.


Like every answer to a firearms question; It depends.

[fattycakes]

For my first gun I bought a Winchester 70 in 270. I never shot good with that rifle. then recently I bought a 22 bolt rifle (winchester wildcat) and I realized why I never shot good with my M70.I recommend getting a 22 rifle as your first gun, speaking from experience.

[praharin]

You are only speaking from your experience. You shot one rifle poorly, then figured out what you were doing wrong on another. If you had a mentor that knew how to teach shooting (which is entirely different from shooting well), you could have been fixed on the 270. It wasn't the rifles fault.

The only thing a 22 does for teaching is (basically) eliminate recoil and muzzle blast. either of those things can be overcome by most people with proper training. It's also less expensive to shoot, which is a benefit in terms of potential round count. If you don't account for cost, the other things may be enough benefit to help.

It depends on that particular shooter.

[Finch]

RIFLE RIFLE RIFLE


that is all.

oh, rifle.

[fattycakes]

You are only speaking from your experience. You shot one rifle poorly, then figured out what you were doing wrong on another. If you had a mentor that knew how to teach shooting (which is entirely different from shooting well), you could have been fixed on the 270. It wasn't the rifles fault.

The only thing a 22 does for teaching is (basically) eliminate recoil and muzzle blast. either of those things can be overcome by most people with proper training. It's also less expensive to shoot, which is a benefit in terms of potential round count. If you don't account for cost, the other things may be enough benefit to help.

It depends on that particular shooter.

No doubt sir. I wish I had gotten someone to teach me. I didn't say it was the M70 although sometimes I was sorely tempted to blame it. When I started shooting the 22 I realized all the mistakes I had made with the M70. I ended up trading the Winchester in on a rem700 and can shoot it pretty well. I hope you have someone to teach you the ins and outs of shooting OP,because it will no doubt be easier. If you don't have anyone though don't fret, If I can learn on my own so can you.

[roscoe]

RIFLE RIFLE RIFLE


that is all.

oh, rifle.

I am going to be one of the dissenters here. A handgun is far more practical - how many people defend themselves with rifles compared to handguns? The handgun is more concealable, portable, and likely to be there when you need it. Just my $.02.

[jrswanson1]

I forgot to mention, I started shooting with a .22 single shot target rifle, NRA Junior Marksman. I did not purchase a .22 rifle until I was 41. The first rifle I purchased was a Remington 700 BDL/SS in 7mm-08.

As for starting with a rifle or a handgun, in my neck of the woods, there are a LOT more pistol only ranges than rifle ranges. Someone just starting out would be able to shoot more with a pistol than a rifle or shotgun.

Jim

[J.C.]

You are only speaking from your experience. You shot one rifle poorly, then figured out what you were doing wrong on another. If you had a mentor that knew how to teach shooting (which is entirely different from shooting well), you could have been fixed on the 270. It wasn't the rifles fault.

The only thing a 22 does for teaching is (basically) eliminate recoil and muzzle blast. either of those things can be overcome by most people with proper training. It's also less expensive to shoot, which is a benefit in terms of potential round count. If you don't account for cost, the other things may be enough benefit to help.

It depends on that particular shooter.

No doubt sir. I wish I had gotten someone to teach me. I didn't say it was the M70 although sometimes I was sorely tempted to blame it. When I started shooting the 22 I realized all the mistakes I had made with the M70. I ended up trading the Winchester in on a rem700 and can shoot it pretty well. I hope you have someone to teach you the ins and outs of shooting OP,because it will no doubt be easier. If you don't have anyone though don't fret, If I can learn on my own so can you.

This is a very common problem. It is hard to learn to shoot with a rifle that has more than 15 lbs of recoil without developing a flinch. That is not to say it cannot be done, but why make it harder than it has to be? I think starting with a .22 is very good advice.

[Curtai]

Well, considering my limited experience with weapons, the sad part is even I have been asked what to buy, and I always say the same thing. What are you gonna use it for?

So far my experience is limited to the M16/M4, a friend's bolty .22 and my .40cal Taurus 24/7OSS, I have had the opportunity to go out to the range with my buddies and had severe gun envy when I was like hey let's go out to the range, I show up and he comes out with a 1911 in a shoulder holster, a FN 5.7 in a drop leg and pulls out an AK and a p90 and a nice Remington 700 and my other buddy pulls out a Desert Eagle .50 a little 12 gauge single shot and a Taurus Version M9.
But I digress, It took me 3 years to decide on what to get and finally get it, money issues not withstanding. I chose the .40 Taurus 24/7 mostly because I had in mind a nice 1911, an XD or the 24/7. Even more fun I try conceal carrying it because shortly after I bought it I of course wanted to carry it everywhere and took the course. (Way too easy IMHO) yet again I digress.

It depends on what they are gonna use it for.

I have just figured out that a full size 5.25" barrel is not so nice to try and conceal IWB even if I am a bigger guy (6'2", 230)
It's still fun to try though.

All in all yeah, It depends on what they are gonna use it for.

[MacAttack]

I know this is contrary to many who have posted here and they will proboably take unbrage to it but here I go.

I would NEVER recomend a Glock as a first gun to anyone who have never owned or used one in their work before(military).

They are perfectly functional weapons but they will NEVER teach someone a complete manual of arms.
And someones first firearm should teach them as much as possible.

A visible, tactile manual safety adds a LOT to their own confidence factor, and mine while teaching.



I would recomend a .22lr pistol of some type. Any type. They can still be had for well under 300 bucks used if not under 200 used and still fuctional but showing real use.
If they want something for self defence later tell them they can look at a .22lr pistol as practice. Plus it can always be resold and if they loose money on the deal(it might happen) think of it as gun rental fees.



Remember. I effect we are selling the idea of responsible, fun gun ownership. Trying to sell them a thousand dollars worth of entry fees to a new hobby is not how to sell it.

Who knows they might find they don't like it and the resale of a cheaper .22lr pistol is relatively easy and stands a better chance of getting them back all their money. And if they do like the hobby selling them that AR or Glock is made easier when they always have the thought that they could still use the .22 for those fun days shooting cans for under 20 bucks all day long.

[Finch]

"they" are going to end up spending more on a handgun/rifle in addition to that .22 in the long run.

with a few hours at the range most full grown adults can reliably operate an AR-15 or a Glock and have a viable self defense weapon to boot.

One can allways learn the manual of arms on another gun later

[Cpt. MelonBuster]

But to get into the sport and start practicing right away you can't beat the old .22lr.

We understand what you're saying. A .22 is great for practice, and will help improve fundamentals. That said, I think this question is more in the context of "I only have money for one firearm, what should I get?" In which case I think the best centerfire rifle you can afford.

[Silent Kube]

I think what he's talking about is cost of ammo. That's why I bought a .22 pistol. I just couldn't afford to shoot several hundred rounds of 9mm in a day. I think yall are taking this way too seriously though. Everyone just needs to chill out. You've given your opinions. What's the use of arguing about it? Let the OP decide for himself.

[jackba]

Walther p22 and a ruger 10/22, follow those up with a remington 870 or a mossberg 500. I will add a ruger mini 14 when i get the dough!

[PistolPete]

I split some of the argumentative BS out of this thread. Let's keep posts in this section constructive please.

[jackba]

But to get into the sport and start practicing right away you can't beat the old .22lr.

We understand what you're saying. A .22 is great for practice, and will help improve fundamentals. That said, I think this question is more in the context of "I only have money for one firearm, what should I get?" In which case I think the best centerfire rifle you can afford.

Gotta agree with that. The .22 can also add a lot of varmint meat to the pot at a small price for ammo. But you have to have a real standoff defense weapon and that has to be a centerfire of substantial caliber and able to reach out and touch someone. Not sure what the least expensive yet decent rifle would be. Thoughts?

[praharin]

Gotta agree with that. The .22 can also add a lot of varmint meat to the pot at a small price for ammo. But you have to have a real standoff defense weapon and that has to be a centerfire of substantial caliber and able to reach out and touch someone. Not sure what the least expensive yet decent rifle would be. Thoughts?

Hunting for survival is pointless on the small scale you will be doing with a .22 rifle or pistol. Trapping is more efficient. Cultures that hunted rather than trapped put a lot of thought and spirituality into it. Made it a test of manhood even. Hunting is important, and good to master, but if you really want get food from somewhere other than a grocery store, learn to trap and forage.

As for a defensive use, I still recommend a pistol (First). you can get a good enough pistol for $300 if you look around and are willing to buy used. I got a compact Springfield 1911 for $400 once.

[Hoppy]

buy an AR and a .22 kit


train with the .22kit
have the AR for all practical situations


the focus is not on .22 vs other rounds

its on training for a practical rifle. .223 can take game. .22 does not reliable defend.

again RIFLE ( real rifle, not .22) RIFLE RIFLE

A rifle works to 300+ yards with little training, a pistol is functionally useless at 75- 100 yards. a rifle is still good at point blank

[praharin]

I can carry a pistol with me everywhere (that it's legal) without attracting any attention and still effectively defend myself from almost any threat I am likely to encounter.

[roscoe]

I can carry a pistol with me everywhere (that it's legal) without attracting any attention and still effectively defend myself from almost any threat I am likely to encounter.

Exactly! I don't understand why the rifle-only folks do not understand the importance of having something concealable and ever-present. Yes, I like my rifle and it is a better fighting tool, but it is just MUCH less likely to be there when I need it, and is likely to draw unwanted attention when I do have it.