My first encounter with the gun community

[shockwave]

If you aren't interested in building a collection of guns, then a .357 revolver will meet your needs. Shoot .38 spl with it to develop accuracy and confidence, load with .357 for defense. Simple, straightforward, and rock solid.

Do take the NRA safety course to learn about the weapon, ammo, procedures, and maintenance.

To get you started:

1. Assume any gun is loaded unless you personally verify otherwise

2. Never point a gun at anything you aren't willing to shoot

3. Know your target and your backstop

 

[armoredman]

Go with the craneman's offer, if you can. I also agree the CZ75 with the Kadet Kit is a great tool, 9mm and 22lr on the same frame, love mine, but for a brand new shooter, not really my first suggestion.
Find a rental range, and find what YOU like, not what we like. Welcome to a big new world!

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

You can purchase a .22LR conversion for many handguns, and Glock is one of them. There are conversons for Glocks from Ciener or Advantage Arms. I have used a Ciener unit designed for na Colt 1911 patter gun, and it worked fine, and will give you lots of practice for a lot less money. If you bought one for your choice of handgun, you would only need one gun to shoot .22 for practice, and whatever caliber you chose your defensive gun in.

 

[Grey_Mana]

For readers of this thread who don't live near craneman, I'd recommend either taking an introductory NRA course (like NRA First Steps, or NRA Basic Pistol), or emailing a local gun club. Many clubs will invite you out and get you oriented for free or for little money.

Hunting classes are also a good way to start; they cover the basics. Some classes are online (California's, I think) and there are many in person classes offered.

Remington had 3 great online classes, but they seem to be gone.

Maryland has a nice online class for pistol safety that will get your feet wet. (http://mdgunsafety.com/ ; you can also find the same site through http://www.maryland.gov/ if you would prefer to begin at a .gov site).

 

[leadcounsel]

First, welcome!

I bet if you went to the local gun range and asked several people you'd find someone that was willing to teach you to shoot, assuming you paid for the ammo and even a few bucks to use their guns. Heck I'm always willing to help new shooters get into the sport or self defense. More than happy to help.

You can also pay for introductory classes which are definately useful and not very expensive.

The recommendation for a defensive handgun frankly depends on many factors, including whether you're a man or a woman and your build, strength, and athleticism and ability/willingness to practice.

For someone that is going to practice very little or has very little handstrength, buy a $300 .38 caliber 4" barrel revolver, like a used S&W, a Taurus, or a Ruger. Plenty of firepower for home defense. Almost dummy proof. Easy to use. Plain Jane.

For a beginner who is someone stronger (hand strength is important for racking the slide on a semi-auto), bigger, dedicated to learning, etc. I would recommend a user friendly 9mm like a Glock or CZ75 with a 4" or 5" barrel for home defense. Very easy to use and the more you practice the better you'll get. They are more complicated than revolvers but have many advantages over revolvers. You can get a good setup for $500. Then practice practice practice. It is VERY easy to make friends at the gun range. Just be open and talk to folks.

 

[stickhauler]

Well, let me apologize for us all for the way this dude treated you. More of the gun community would welcome you with open arms than would discourage you. This guy's whole focus seemed to be on sales, not training. Most all gun dealers I know of encourage new shooters, and have at least a list of trainers to offer you if you're inexperienced with guns. Most decent ranges I know of also have range officers while firing is going on, and have a cadre of instructors to offer new shooters.

But since you have no experience, find a range that does have instructors available. Contact one and ask that they bring some of their guns along when you get your training. Every instructor I know has a large number of guns, and are more than happy to show them off. A gun that meets the needs of one person may well be the biggest piece of crap to the next shooter. For you to become comfortable with a gun, it has to feel right in your hand. If you're not comfortable with it, you ain't gonna like the experience at all, and your efforts to learn to shoot will be in vain.

If your interest is only target shooting, a .22 may well be a great choice. If you want a gun for self defense, or home defense is your aim, a minimum of a 9 mm is likely the best choice. For a new shooter, a revolver tends to be a better choice, it's simple to operate, and it's either ready to shoot or it ain't.

The best of luck in learning about shooting, and owning a gun. Knowing how to operate one safely is the first thing to learn, and always practice. Getting the skills to shoot accurately consistently comes with practice.

 

[mnrivrat]

I am the introduction to firearms person for our gun shop. I would hope that most shops have someone who will take the time (whether paid or not) to spend a little time with a person such as the OP to introduce them to the basics or firearms.

I spend between one and two hours doing that without charge unless the person also wants to do a little shooting in the range. (range and ammo cost)I realize that not every shop can afford to do that - the reason ours can is because I volenteer that time. I think there are retired folks available who would enjoy doing as much for most gun shops if asked.

From there we offer a basic firearm course with a certified intructor. A beginers course which takes about 6 hours and cost $65 to attend.

 

[jhallrv4]

I've bought two guns without firing them first. I've sent both of them on their way.
Shoot everything you can before you plunk down the cash.
The NRA basic pistol course includes the new edition of the handbook, it's great. Tells you everything you could want to know about both revolvers and pistols. The NRA basic pistol course will also teach all you need to know to get started, safely. It includes lessons on aiming, trigger control, and other fundamentals. Fundamentals are CRITICAL to good shooting.

Jeff

 

[Daveboone]

I agree totally with Cosmoline. A handgun (any handgun) although preferable for a compact hideable self defense arm, is the most difficult firearm to become proficient with and to handle safely. A .22 rimfire rifle, preferably single shot or bolt action - or even a quality pellet gun, will allow you inexpensive practice at indoor ranges (in the case of a pellet gun, even your own basement), and greatly simplify the basics of gun handling and using the sights. Even if you are not interested in hunting, a local hunters safety course teaches alot on safe gun handling and will familiarize you with different types of firearms.
A handgun safety course (check your local newspapers sporting columns, or even give the local outdoor editor a call for info) will also give you familiarity and gun handling safety standards that will help familiarize you with different arms and thier safe handling.
Deciding to own a firearm is a big responsibility and privelige, dont jump into it. Like owning a dog, before you get one make sure you are dedicated to learning to take care of it...and to learn to use it safely and competently.

 

[Starter52]

You should definitely start with a .22 caliber gun. Don't go to another caliber until you have learned the basics with the .22 gun.

 

[nelson133]

Another suggestion would be to find an instructor and pay for a one on one session and have the instructor bring several guns for you to try. Check at gun stores and ranges for the names of instructors and call several. Use your common sense the same way you'd check out any other vendor. Find one who feels right,
If someone presents himself as Joe super bad a**, run away. If someone tells you that you need to get gun A or B and that is the only right gun, you have found a fan boy, run away. The reason that there are so many different sizes and shapes of handguns is that everybody is different and how any given hand gun fits is different.
If you want to start with a .22, there are good r4easons to do so, as listed in previous posts. Get something full size either semiauto or revolver. About $300-$400 should do the trick. There are lots of good ones out there. When I teach newbies to shoot, I always start them with a .22 because the recoil and blast is some much less and they can pick up the fundamentals of shooting much easier. My next step is a full size 9mm, which is a reasonably easy transition.
Unless you are very unusual, you won't stop with one gun, so if you start with a .22, you'll move up. The .22 is not the best self defense caliber, but it beats a sharp word.

 

[stickhauler]

I am the introduction to firearms person for our gun shop. I would hope that most shops have someone who will take the time (whether paid or not) to spend a little time with a person such as the OP to introduce them to the basics or firearms.

I spend between one and two hours doing that without charge unless the person also wants to do a little shooting in the range. (range and ammo cost)I realize that not every shop can afford to do that - the reason ours can is because I volenteer that time. I think there are retired folks available who would enjoy doing as much for most gun shops if asked.

From there we offer a basic firearm course with a certified intructor. A beginers course which takes about 6 hours and cost $65 to attend.

And bless you for doing that! A new person to shooting coming to a gun shop for the first time are experiencing something totally foreign to them, and having a person available to help them along the way, however short the time is, would be invaluable to getting more people involved in shooting.

I see the attitude of some salesmen at gun shops and have to wonder how they earn a living. They sure as hell aren't getting many repeat customers coming off with their way of dealing with customers, especially new shooters.

I see all too often a salesman try and hard sell a new female shooter a small .380 semi-auto, because it's "small and dainty, perfect for a woman." I own a few guns like that, and have shot for most of my life, and find these guns to be rational choices only for a more experienced shooter. They are harder to shoot accurately than most any handguns, and the experience isn't always the most fun a shooter will ever have. If shooting one is your very first time shooting, many will decide shooting sports is not for them.

 

[Phydeaux642]

You should NOT teach yourself how to shoot. You should NOT teach yourself about gun safety.

I think getting some instruction is a great idea, but at the risk of being called stupid for having my own opinion (happens here all the time), I'll say that I did both of these things and can say that when I go to the range I am as safe or more safe than anyone shooting along side me and am generally one of the more accurate shooters at the range.

I read a lot, watched a few videos here and there and would stop by the range to watch others shoot and used that as my instruction. I started with handguns because that is what I am interested in and never had any problems. I've never had any formal instruction and was looked upon as the best shooter (out of 25) in my CCW class. So, while formal instruction is great (and I would really like to take a few classes) I do think you can learn a lot on your own if you put in the time. I did, but of course I'm no expert as will be pointed out here any minute.

 

[stevek]

The NRA basic pistol course includes the new edition of the handbook, it's great. Tells you everything you could want to know about both revolvers and pistols. The NRA basic pistol course will also teach all you need to know to get started, safely. It includes lessons on aiming, trigger control, and other fundamentals. Fundamentals are CRITICAL to good shooting.

As an instructor, the pistol I generally use is a Sig Sauer 229R. Starts with the .22 LR conversion barrel, slide, and magazine, and as we progress we change over to 9mm. This way the student learns one grip and one trigger press, KISS in practice. You can do the same with most platforms though...Glock, 1911, etc. A real class should be #1. ymmv

 

[Sky]

A lazy day watching a youtube video on various techniques and weapons might not be a bad idea. I have actually been impressed with some of their stuff. I own a Glock and it is a good pistol; but I would never recommend one of any type for your first pistol; just my opinion and don't want to get a thing going with Glock defenders.

 

[bigalexe]

Well if you post your location then I am sure we can find you a mentor here.

As for a first firearm for someone with NO experience, I would say start with a .22lr Rifle and/or a .22lr pistol. The reason I say .22lr is that it is NOT an air rifle, but also has negligible recoil and is REALLY cheap to shoot. It's a gun that won't scare you.

Next step up would be to get some shotgun experience IMO, shotguns are their own game and really fun but not so cheap as the .22lr.

I am located in SE Michigan, if you are in the area PM me.

 

[22-rimfire]

If you don't know anyone that shoots, I would buy a 22 rifle at a gun shop that has a range. They will probably help you get comfortable and do it safely. Everyone needs a 22 rifle if they shoot. Next, do the same thing with a 22 handgun at the same gun shop. Read the manual at home. Load the gun and unload it. If you went to a public range (the free kind) on a week day, you could probably shoot there with few spectors and more than likely someone there will show you the basics.

I shot for years before I ever shot a handgun. I bought a 22 revolver as my first handgun in my early 20's after college. I don't regret that choice. I did not have anyone to help me and I went out and shot in the seclusion of the woods where it would be safe and if I did something stupid, I could only hurt myself. This way, I won't get embarrassed either being clumsy (but safe). You can learn a lot simply by making sure the gun is unloaded and handle it in the seclusion of your home.

Unlike some here, I don't think your experience at the gun shop was particularly bad.

 

[Oldfalguy]

NooB-
At least you have the good sense to come to a forum like this one and ask questions-
Find a local range and ask them about instruction.
What I would not is go out and get a concealed carry right off the bat- no way- Your not qualified to do so no matter what the state says you have the right to do- its not the right thing to do-
Nor do I think your first firearm should be any semi auto to learn with unless you have someone to teach you on several occasions- You are not going to absorb and retain it all in one setting. Make no mistake, guns are not a hobby like model making and the worst thing that happens is getting crazy glue on your fingers-
Get smart, safe and practice- Be careful

 

[russ69]

You are only a member for one day and you ask the most important question we experts mull around all the time, "If I only had one handgun".......
If you were an expert marksman, most of us would say a .357 with a 4 to 6 inch barrel is the most versatile handgun because it can do everything you would want to do with a gun. But, you are a squeaky fresh newbie and you need a little experience first. Get some training then get what you think you might like but if you really want to be a good shooter you'll need a .22LR somewhere along the line so you may as well think about that now.

Thanx, Russ

 

[Frank Ettin]

I would absolutely recommend an NRA Basic Handgun class. I'm an NRA certified instructor in, among other things, Basic Handgun. I've worked with a number of other instructors over the years and have helped many complete newbies get started.

A good class will cover safety, the different types of handguns, how they work, how to handle them, how to maintain them and basic marksmanship. It will also discuss ammunition and how it works. Especially for someone starting out with no prior experience, an NRA Basic Handgun class will lay a good foundation.

I've been through this process with several hundred complete beginners and think it's one of the best ways to start.

 

[22-rimfire]

Taking the NRA santioned course is a great idea as others have mentioned. When I was new to shooting and young, I would have had no idea where to find such a class to take. The classes weren't as commonly offered then as they are today.

My Dad showed me the basics, was there to help me gain confidence hunting, and my older brother took over from that point since my Dad seldom went shooting with us even at age 14. We lived in the country and we shot our 22 rifles out the back window a lot as well as in the field behind the house which provided a natural backstop. We knew that a 22 rifle could kill. We shot game with the caliber and saw the results first hand.

 

[ArmedLiberal]

Welcome to The High Road!

You came to the right place to learn about firearms online. There are hordes of great people here that have the knowledge and experience that you seek. The class in your first post looks great. Some of the best gun shops create new customers by making it easy to learn about guns for the fires time. I think that .22LR is a great caliber to start learning on. I like the Ruger Single Six .22 revolver or the Ruger Mark III .22 pistol.

Check out CalGuns.net, you'll find hundreds of firearms folks in the LA area that will be more than glad to help you get off to a good start. It's also a great site to start learning about California gun law. You will not believe what an Alice in Wonderland journey that is.

 

[finz50]

I just got certified as an NRA instructor last week and highly recommend the Basic Pistol Course that some have already suggested...here's a link to the NRA website where you can search for a class in your area....http://www.nrainstructors.org/CourseCatalog.aspx. Also suggest you find a local range, after you take the course (or with an experienced friend) and shoot as many firearms as you can get your hand on.....may cost a bit up front, but will save you from buying a gun you'll regret later on. Best of luck and welcome to the club!

 

[fireman5069]

Whatever gun you decide to get always remember that the best gun safety is the one between your ears.

 

[Bud Tugly]

The advice to start with a .22 is excellent since you can do lots of shooting for very little expense. The only way to become a good shot is to shoot lots, and that can get expensive with other calibers.

You say you want a gun for target shooting and defense, but what kind of targets and what kind of defense? Handguns and rifles are used mainly for stationary target shooting, but shotguns can be used in a variety of games involving moving targets such as trap and skeet shooting. You may eventually want to do several different types of target shooting.

For defense, are you thinking about self-defense (where you would carry your gun at all times, even out in public) or home defense (where the gun would mainly be used to defend against break-ins or home invasions)? Self-defense means a pistol or revolver small enough to carry on your person, but many people prefer a shotgun or rifle for home defense purposes.

IMO everyone needs, at minimum, a .22 rifle for cheap target shooting and general fun and a shotgun with buckshot for home defense. You can get by with a handgun, but it requires a much higher level of skill and practice to hit targets consistently than a shotgun or rifle. If you go that route make sure you're willing to put in the extra time to become proficient.

You'll likely to find that shooting in general becomes quite addictive, and restricting yourself to just a single gun will be very difficult.