What should I get for my first gun...

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Brick

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SSSCCCRREECHHH...BLAM...lol :D

Ok. I've shot a couple squirrels in the backyard:D with a Crosman Auto Air II. Not very accurate, but did some damage. Was fun actually.

Anyway, I was thinking about my first gun. I like the SIG P232, P239, and any single-action classic 1911, sort of like the Series 80, the HK33/32 series (I'll determine the 5.56/7.62x39mm issue later) and the M2 Carbine.

What should I get first to build the basics on? How am I supposed to 'carry it out'?

BTW, I live in California, and wish to move elsewhere...

Kinglookingfarintothedarkfuturefisher
 
Well, that's a pretty wide disparity of guns, encompassing both rifles and handguns in different calibers, and you will probably not be able to buy an HK33 in California, or an M2 Carbine anywhere unless you have a Class III license (the M2 is the fully automatic version ;)). For your very first firearm, I suggest one in .22 Long Rifle. Ammunition is cheap and it is easier to learn shooting fundamentals without developing a flinch from excessive blast and recoil. Whatever you choose, get the highest quality you can afford, as you will never "outgrow" it.
 
Thanks for the reply.

So what kind of .22 rifle/pistol? :)

(BTW, those were the ones I liked...I knew the M2 was full-auto.)

wait, so after the .22 could be a .30 M1 Carbine? would that work?
 
For a .22 pistol: Ruger 22/45 autoloader (or the similar Mk. II if its grip angle suits you better).
 
A Ruger 10/22 rifle, or a Ruger 22/45 or Browning Buckmark .22 pistol are excellent "learner guns" and very cheap to shoot.


After that, a .357 revolver or 9mm automatic would be good in pistol, or a SKS or AR-15 rifle (tough, cheap to shoot and reliable).
 
Did you have any reason to shoot the squirrels? Did you kill them? You just did some damage? What the ...?

I'm not impressed. I might misread you but I think that the best first step is to get some training from a responsible instructor before you go buy a real firearm.
 
People who wound or kill animals just for kicks aren't the type of people who should be carrying firearms, but maybe he just wasn't clear.
 
My go-to rifle for small game is a CZ 452 trainer with the tangent sights. It's the only MOA accurate rimfire I've ever seen for under $250. Balance is perfect, lockup is tight and the rifle is built like a rifle, not a toy. Sad as it is to say it, most US-made .22's fall into the "fun gun" category. The manufacturers figure they won't be put to any serious use, and corners are cut.

IMHO you should learn to shoot on a rifle, one with iron sights if possible. It's like learning to drive with a standard transmission. Maybe you'll never use the skill, but it's there if you need it. Too many American shooters are as useless as their rifles if you break their scope.
 
GEM, you RUINED it!

We have this backyard which is about 50'x30', and we had a nasty squirrel season with our "backyard" garden. Tomatoes, cantalope, and something else were repeatedly eaten, sometimes 3 fruit per day. We usually blocked off their entrances, so they would create new ones.

So then begun the ugliness, I guess, for GEM. We had to corner them, then use a shovel to break their necks. But the BB guns were prefered, but not very accurate or powerful. First time I got one it was a chance shot (pointed at the squirrel) and it fractured its skull. Died on the spot.

The reason why, GEM, was because it was costing us daily when those vermits would visit. Dad vehomented them. We didn't do it for fun, but out of necessity.


I was asking for the proper route to "move up the ranks" if you call it. I am going to get defensive training somewhere, sometime in the future, BEFORE the firearm purchasing. Maybe you guys got the wrong impression.
 
IMHO you should learn to shoot on a rifle, one with iron sights if possible. It's like learning to drive with a standard transmission. Maybe you'll never use the skill, but it's there if you need it. Too many American shooters are as useless as their rifles if you break their scope.
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I'll be driving a standard, so nothing to worry about that :cool:

So I should learn on a rifle, then progress to a pistol?
 
Buy a .22 pistol and get some basic handgun instruction to go with it. I reccomend the NRA Basic Pistol course as a good starting point. You can find a class by asking around at your local gun clubs and gun shops or also by looking at the course listings on the NRA website www.nra.org (Be aware not all NRA instructors list their courses on the web site)

As far as reccomendations for a first pistol, I like the Ruger Mk II. If you want to go with a .22/9mm combo you can also look into getting a 9mm CZ-75 and a .22 CZ Kadet conversion kit. This effectively gives you two pistols in one.
 
Range availability is a factor, as many are indoor and handgun-only these days. But IMHO you'll have far better luck learning how to shoot with a rifle. Handguns have much more limited range.
 
Please allow me to add my $.02 in favor of a simple .22 long rifle bolt action rifle. The CZ452 is great, but there are a lot of others out there that will do well. Do connect with an experienced shooter who can coach you and help you with the basics. Start with iron sights from a prone position, learn how to use a rest and sling properly, and work your way through the positions so you become proficient with trigger squeeze, breath control, calling shots and estimating distance.

Starting with a handgun is much less safe, less accurate, and will not allow you to concentrate on the details that separate the blasters from the masters. While the pistols look the sexiest, fit almost anyone, and get the most attention, the rifle is easier to shoot well. That's the objective, isn't it?

Handguns are fun, but challenging. When you're starting out, you don't need the frustration.
 
Handguns are fun, but challenging. When you're starting out, you don't need the frustration.
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They weren't frustrating for me to start with, though they're admittedly harder to aim at significant distances than a carbine or rifle. Start with qualified training and a .22: relatively quiet, minimal recoil, dirt-cheap ammo (550 rounds for $8 or $9 at WalMart). .22's let you focus on basic skills easier than trying to handle some big blaster right off the bat. If you're interested in guns for self-defense, it's certainly worth starting with handguns.
 
Do not get a Ruger 10/22 as your first firearm.

Furthermore, do not get any semi-auto as your first rifle.

Personally, I think rifles/shotguns make better "first" guns than do pistols.

With that said, a .22LR bolt action cannot be beat as an excellent first firearm.

Consider -
Marlin 25
CZ 452

Make sure your first rifle has open sights. Scopes may come later (as will pistols and semi-auto rifles and shotguns).
 
In California, forget about the HK's.

I also think a good bolt action .22 LR would be a good first choice. I will suggest the CZ-452, but there are many others that would do just as well. I am just partial to the CZ.

I would stick to a rifle to start with. Handguns are generally harder to shoot than rifles.
 
You mentioned a Sig P-239. Second to a .22LR, a 9MM is going to be the most economical (factory loaded) round to shoot - which you really need to do a lot. And the 9MM is a very versitile round. So if your heart is set on a centerfire auto - the P-239 would be an excellent choice. And will prove to be an excellent "all around" pistol for future needs. And, since you list some pretty impressive autos for your initial purchace, I'm assuming you have the bucks to lay down for a quality "first purchace". But as I've stated before though, buying a handgun is kind of like buying a video game system. The basic "box" isn't such a big outlay - but the ongoing care and feeding is. Price factory ammo - multiply by thousands of rounds - then re-consider what you really want to go with.

Of course, were I to recommend are real "starter" handgun - it would be a .22LR DA revolver - then to .22LR auto - then to whatever centerfire platform you prefer.

After several decades of handgun shooting - I find the revolvers to be the most "entertaining" and "useful" for me. But everyone's preferences vary!!!
 
Dont rush

Dont rush out and try to get what you think are all your dream guns. You may find that your tastes change the more serious you get into shooting.

Start small, a good 22LR rifle by remington, browning, or marlin, in semi or bolt is a good option. A 22LR pistol or revolver by ruger, browning, colt, smith and wesson, and sig, is another good option.

Avoid brands such as davis, jennings, bryco,and intertec, as quality is a factor. you really do get what you pay for.

After mastering a 22LR look into a good 38/357 revolver or 9mm handgun, by the above mentioned brands. The 38 and 9mm offer light recoil and accuracy. If you go to big to fast, you'll develope flinching issues. Rifle wise you might want to look into something pistol caliber to cut down cost of ammo (50 rnds/box as apposed to 20 rnds/box). This will give you more recoil and the fun of a larger rifle without emptying your wallet. You might also find a pistol and carbine of the same caliber, that use the same magazines.

The m1 carbine, I have found to be rather finnicky. Many I have encountered are ammo perticular and will not function without a specific ammo being used.

Early on shooters like to shoot fast and are not concerned with accuracy. So the assult type weapon seems the perfect thing. Very soon however, you will find that hitting your target is more pleasing, and uses less ammo, than spraying it.

Large caliber rifle wise, look into a 223 or 308 as surplus ammo is cheap and available.
 
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