learning on bigger calibers

[RP88]

How bad of an idea would it be to start off with a larger caliber for a first-time handgun? Anyone here skip the .22 learning lesson and jump into something like .40S&W or .45ACP for their first handgun instead? Anything in retrospect about the learning process you'd like to share? Did it seem to hinder your progress or cause you to form bad habits that you had to go and correct later after you learned about them the hard way?

I ask because I've been taking an interest in getting a .40 as my first handgun. Surely not the ideal cartridge to learn on (probably may opt for a 9mm instead). I really don't want to start on a .22 because I'd rather have a gun that can be used for something other than plinking (HD, possibly CCW down the road, etc.)

But back to the original question: if you learned on a bigger caliber, how did it work out?

Thanks for all input in advance.

 

[feudalson]

i suggest learning on a 22.. ppl who start on bigger cals. often develop closed eye trigger pulls or flinches

 

[feudalson]

if not 22 than i suggest the 9mm with ur local gunshops target ammo

 

[Oro]

The only great success I've seen with jumping to centerfire calibers straightaway is with the .38/.357. You can load light target loads that are not much more than the .22lr. I have taught a few new adult shooters this way (mostly women, but one man) and it has worked out well, as well as making them do a lot of dry firing to correct their hold and trigger work (this is the only really fast, effective way to do it - dry fire [ lots of dry fire).

A .357 is great for this as it can start out mild and then get powerful with the shooter, so you don't need to buy a second gun. But that necessitate the revolver platform, which many prefer but some don't want to consider. A 9mm would be better in an auto vs. the higher recoil .40. In general, a lower pressure round like .38, .45, or .44 special is going to work better than higher pressure ones like 9mm, .40 S&W, or 10mm for learning. Of the common auto rounds, I'd choose .45 to learn on over the others. OTOH hand, if you have LOTS of rifle experience (and I'm hoping that with 1400+ posts and no handgun, you do), then jumping to a centerfire is not as much of a problem. I am talking about folks with virtually no shooting experience. Either way, I wish you good luck!

 

[23Glock]

I think you should be less concerned about the caliber and more concerned about the kind of training you’re going to get. Under proper tutelage you should be able to shoot almost any common centerfire caliber effectively. Of course certain calibers suit some more than others – it depends on the weapon you choose, the size of your hands, your shoulder strength, etc. But the most important thing is to find a trainer or facility that will show you the fundamentals. The required 8 hour NRA safety class to get your permit is nowhere near enough training. You can’t just pick up a weapon and expect to be proficient with it – on the contrary, without training you will learn and reinforce bad habits. The human body was not designed to cope with a small explosion going off 18” from your face. Proper training and practice help your body react to and cope with “the bang” while building handgun marksmanship skills.
I actually learned on a sub-compact 9mm. Not an ideal weapon to learn on and in hindsight my trainer and I had to undo a lot of damage from those first sessions. I graduated to a compact 9mm as well as a compact .40. I would NOT recommend the .40 caliber round for someone to learn on unless it’s a full size frame. Full size .40’s have less perceived recoil, but still, I would not recommend it – the round is just too snappy for someone to effectively learn on. A 9mm in a compact frame, is the minimum I would recommend, and if you’re comfortable with it, go with a full size frame.
If you want to be competent, training and dry practice cannot be understated. Get a simple 9mm like a Glock 17 or 19 and take a 4/5 day handgun class at any of the major facilities: Front Sight, Gunsite, Thunder Ranch, etc. You will walk out with the knowledge and confidence to be 10 times a better shooter than if you tried to learn it all on your own.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

The advantages of starting with a .22 are overwhelming:

1. Low recoil.
2. Low cost, so you can practice plenty.
3. No need to learn reloading at the outset to get manageable loads.
4. Low report and power -- you can shoot .22s in places you cannot shoot centerfires.

 

[ATW525]

I started shooting handguns with semi-autos chambers in major service calibers. If I could do it all over again I would have started with a .22 and worked to develop a good foundation of handgun marksmanship before moving on to the big stuff. I would probably be a much better shooter.

 

[sohcgt2]

I learned on a 1911 on someone elses dime. Aside from cost I don't think there is anything wrong with learning on a centerfire caliber.

 

[twoclones]

I started with .357 but eventually bought a 22lr so that I could afford fire the thousands of rounds necessary to develop good habits and skills...

 

[Walkalong]

I learned on .22 rifles and a 1911 .45. Go figure. That is what was available. The .45 recoil was not bothersome to me, but many would do better with a .22 and these days that is a huge savings as well.

 

[Dorkfish]

In all honesty, there's nothing wrong with learning on large calibers...it's all comfort level.

I was a .44 mag junkie and couldn't shoot a .22 or 9mm to save my life. It often looked like a shotgun pattern at 10-15 yards. It took purchasing my first XD to get comfortable with the 9mm and my .22...well, let's just say I prefer a long barreled .22!

Some folks are just that way, they can't shoot the smaller calibers, but can shoot the big boys for reasons unknown. (primarily psychological) Same can be said for the small cal raised...some of them are so comfy with the smaller cals that you put a cannon in front of them and they just refuse to shoot it and walk away.

So here's the theory I present to you: if you shoot a small cal comfortably, but the big boys scare you, take a 9mm and .45ACP to the range. Shoot the crap out of the 9mm...when you see your groups getting sketchy or you find the recoil intimidating, pick up the .45 and shoot a few rounds. The heavier recoil will change your body's reactions to the 9mm recoil. I use this technique for those who get intimidated by the 9mm stepping up from a .22 or .25. It usually only takes one round and they're confident with the 9mm's recoil.

The problem is that the theory is one-way. It cannot be applied from large cal to small cal, simply becuase the predominant habit going this direction is to compensate for the recoil by pushing downward, dropping the shoulders or head, or squeezing with the last 2 fingers. Big cal babies have a tendancy to have "shotgun patterns" with smal cals at just 7-10 yards and it takes some of them a while to get honed in with the smaller stuff, but once they do...watch out!

 

[woad_yurt]

If you're going to get a larger caliber for a first gun, go with the 9MM unless you have some excess cash laying around. The ammo costs around 1/2 that of a .45.

.38 SPL is OK, too. The ammo costs more than 9MM but not too much more; it's close. Although I am impressed by a .357, I think .38 SPL will do one just fine unless there's a bear involved. .38 revolvers are generally quite a bit cheaper than .357s. My beater Model 10 is my all around nicest-to-shoot gun.

I had been shooting various firearms off infrequently for a long while but when I began to start shooting seriously, it was with a CZ 52. I now love shooting .22s but that came later.

 

[rcmodel]

Get a .22 first and learn to shoot it really well first.
You can shoot 500 rounds of .22LR for about the same cost as 50 rounds of .40 S&W!

Anyway, it's always worth having around to fall back on when you start flinching & jerking & missing with the big stuff.

And I don't care how much of a Manly Man you are, you will develop a flinch sooner or later.
And need to back off & regroup with a .22!

rc

 

[AK-47Ghost]

The first handgun I ever fired was a 1911-now I'm scarred for life!!!

 

[Hungry Seagull]

I learned on a .22 and a box of wally world ammo. One afternoon was all I needed to know about that .22 but... it would be YEARS before I found my M&P .45

There were several other guns such as the Colt Commander model .45's ... I keep saying I almost bought em. But for future? Who knows, one might find it's way home.