My first gun: Handgun, rifle, or shotgun?

[kadima]

Quote:
I learned about weapons while doing my compulsory service in the army (20 years ago, not so far...) and the first weapons I've ever fired were a Garand, an MG42/59 and a Beretta 9mm. No .22....
Joining the army to get access to free ammo seems a bit extreme. If that's not an option, then a 22 is the way to go. Learn how to shoot with low cost ammo and no recoil to deal with. Then go to centerfire.

ROFL!!!!!

What I was pointing is that even young one can start (if finds a good instructor) with larger calibers.
Life is too short to fire boring ammo (I'd rather shoot 50 good 9mm per session than a couple hundred .22, but it's my personal taste and, as we say de gustibus non desputandum est)

K.

[hardluk1]

I have never seen a shooter that was so good he had moved beyond a 22. Even some of the best shooters in the world still shoot in the 22 matches. But you are in school and probably can't carry anywhere except hunting and you did not say you did that, with home defence as a worry then buy a shotgun and join a sporting clays club.

[winkytink]

Donnybru, just remember that whichever gun you choose it's unlikely to be your "one and only", so don't stress over it too much. Buy something cheap and fun to start out with and then trade up in a few months.

[booker_t]

Another +1 for the .22 rimfire to start. Learn your safety procedures and get your basics down, learn from a good instructor and be patient. It'll pay dividends in the long run.

First purchase I would suggest a .22LR or .22WMR rifle, preferably bolt action. Personally I really like the WMR, although ammo is a bit more pricey ($0.15-0.18/round as opposed to $0.03-0.10/round). The .22WMR is effective on small animals out to about 125-150 yards, and would kill a deer with a headshot at 75 yards, maybe 100-125 if properly placed. I've achieved some relatively tight groups at 200-250 yards off a rest as well, although the energy delivered at that range is just enough to put a hole in the target so it's academic, but fun. The standard .22LR is at the tail end of it's ballistics at 115-125 yards. (at least, that's my understanding, if there's an expert around feel free to correct me)

My .22WMR is a Marlin 983S bolt action. Stainless bull barrel, 14rd tube magazine, iron sights but will accept a scope. Laminated stock but it's pretty and durable. Paid $200 cash and it came with a sling, 4x30 scope, bore snake, and about 150rounds of ammo. You can shoot it all day, from a rest or offhand, and have a blast without beating up your shoulder. There are a ton of .22LR options, Ruger 10/22 semiauto is probably the most popular. Marlin makes a Papoose survival rifle that is really slick, it breaks down and can be carried in a backpack. Worth checking out.

Pistol, I suggest a Ruger Mark III Target .22LR. There are others that are just as good, but I like that one personally. Adjustable rear sight and bull barrel. Under $500 new with 4 mags, cleaning rod and case.

Whatever you buy, try to invest in professional instruction beyond anything else. Take a safety course and pay attention. If possible, find an instructor who is NRA certified, or shot/shoots competitively.

Regarding your law enforcement aspirations, quite frankly firearms proficiency, while important, shouldn't be your primary focus as you prepare for that career. Education and physical fitness should be high on your list. Run, do pushups/situps/pullups, work on your quickness and agility. Google "Stew Smith" and download some of his workouts.

[hardluk1]

donnybru If you still think you have grown beyond a 22 check out the( beyond a 22) tread and see the reply's. Should give you something to think about.

[booker_t]

Oh, and while this isn't firearms-related, I'm going to put it out there regarding your law enforcement career aspirations:

If you know what geographical location you intend to live/work in, do some research and determine what the best 2nd language to learn would be... whether it's spanish, japanese, russian, farsi, etc. You don't have to be fluent but proficiency will make you that much more valuable to your department. And unlike your pistol craft, I guarentee you'll use those language skills nearly every day.

Learning to shoot is relatively easy, and it's fun. Learning a language, a professional discipline (such as engineering or finance) and putting in consistent hard work at the gym/track/pool, is not as much fun but will put you in a better place when you're looking for employment, be it at the local, state, or Federal level. Determine your goals 10-15 years out, list what it will take to achieve those goals (3 areas: education, training, experience) and create a timeline/roadmap for yourself to get there. Then do it, and enjoy it, without complaint or excuses, because afterall it is the path you chose for yourself.

[Donnybru]

I continue to appreciate all your suggestions. Thank you all so much I would also like to let those of you that mentioned a 2nd language know that I am currently working towards becoming fluent in Spanish, Farsi, and Chinese, and have been working towards that for quite a while.

As for which branch of law enforcement, I am seriously considering the FBI.

And for a quick gun update: I went to the range on Monday and shot both the Glock 17 and SIG P226. I very much enjoy the SIG. It's extremely accurate and well built. I suffered no malfunctions with it. I went back to the range yesterday (Tuesday) and shot a few hundred rounds through the SIG, doing tactical drills and such. It was great.

That's all for now, though as I've said before, I appreciate all your suggestions since you all know much more than I do.

[jg0001]

Definitely NO on the shotgun. Your intended initial purpose of target practice isn't going to be very exciting with the shotty, unless you intended to do clays. For just putting holes in paper, I'd be split between a handgun or a rifle, but would suggest that whatever you get, you ALSO get a 22LR rifle. Perhaps a 9mm handgun (ammo is CHEAPER for that than for ANY other centerfire ammo, for a handgun or a rifle) AND a 22LR S&W M&P 15-22. Those two put together give you hours of fun at the range at a reasonable price.

[booker_t]

Donny, FBI is an excellent objective.

Let me say that the language will help you, but it can also pigeonhole you, so it may or may not be the best track into FBI (althoug it's definitely worth learning as I say). There are several tracks into being an 1811 Special Agent and language is one of them, as is finance/economics, engineering/science, diversified, and a few others.

Typically, the FBI wants their applicants to make something of themselves in a field before they apply. Get your Bachelor's degree, then at least 3 years of professional experience. Try to pick up a masters part-time while you're working. If you want to work white collar crimes, then working at a large bank or financial institution is the way to go. If you want to work forensics, then a medical/science degree and work experience is best. Typical range of ages for new SAs I believe is 27-34 years old. First check out the website, there's a ton of information about the requirements and application process. Then if need be, call your local Field Office and ask to speak with a recruiter or Application Coordinator, they can give you additional information.

Generally, if FBI is your goal, then keep it in mind with every decision you make from now until you're in your mid-20s. No DUIs, no drugs, document your foreign travel, keep your nose clean and stay squared away physically. The application and vetting process can take from 4 months to as long as 2 years, but be patient and if it's meant to be, it will happen. A large number of highly qualified applicants fail the polygraph and unfortunately, that's just the way it goes. But, don't try to beat the poly, don't research it, it'll only hurt you when the time comes. Best of luck.

[Donnybru]

My hope is to eventually work in the NCAVC in Quantico, though I realize that this is a very sought-after position. As for a major and minor in college, I was thinking of majoring in Psychology and minoring in Business. Or possibly double majoring in Psychology/Sociology and double minoring in Business/Criminology (but that's only if I plan on having no life ) And a BA/Masters in Psychology as well.

Regarding the 3 years of work required by the FBI prior to admission, I was thinking perhaps a firearms specialist in a crime lab. However, I believe I would need a more specialized degree(s) in order to fill that position.

[flight954]

Ruger 10/22 22lr
Ammo is inexpensive
Tons of mod options
A treat to shoot

[aarondhgraham]

My friend, the whole purpose of your first gun(s) will be to learn,,,
Buy any centerfire gun and you limit your learning by the cost of ammunition.

My suggestion is a .22 semi-auto rifle,,,
And a .22 handgun be it a revolver or semi-auto,,,
This will not cost you too much money and the ammo is cheap.

I recommend a Ruger 10/22 rifle ($200.00 bucks),,,
Or a Mossberg 702 Plinkster ($129.00),,,
Or a Marlin Model 60 ($145.00)

Then consider a Ruger 22/45 for a handgun ($239.00),,,
Or a Ruger Mk III ($329.00) in one of the many configurations,,,
And you don't have to go the ultra-tricked out versions of them either.

I own some seriously fine handguns in my cabinet,,,
But the pistol I have the most fun with is the basic 22/45,,,
And it's a wonderful trainer for serious practice with seriously cheap ammo.

Get the basic versions that won't break your bank,,,
Later there will be plenty of time for the super-spiffy wonder guns

Your goal should be to shoot a lot of bullets,,,
Learn the basics of good technique,,,
And have tons of fun!

You can do a whole lot more of those shooting actions,,,
At 3-4 cents a round than at 20-30 cents a round.

I guarantee if you walk out to your shooting spot,,,
Sporting a 10-22 rifle and a 22/45 pistol,,,
You will walk tall and have tons of fun.

.

[shafter]

I'd recommend a Ruger 10/22. Awesome firearm for the money.

[BerettaCougar]

Why do people keep suggesting 22lr?

22lr was not even in the options he posted. If you like 22lr, good for you. I have a few 22's and they are extremely boring and serve no purpose (to me).

To the thread originator: As I posted before.

1.) Go to a gun dealer and see what best fits in your hand/shoulder.
2.) Rent the gun you like and test fire it. if possible...
3.) Buy what best fits your hand and what you feel most comfortable shooting.

Comfort is a measure of not only the overall feel of the gun but also the recoil and the cost of using and keeping the gun. Test fire as many different calibers as you can in as many different model firearms as you can. You'll find your perfect fit.

[jg0001]

Why do people keep suggesting 22lr?

Perhaps many of us were in his shoes asking the same questions back when we started our own collections, only to end up years later spending a lot of our time with later acquired 22's.

I still say to get at least a 9mm to get that itch scratched, but to get a 22LR as well to lessen the overall cost of any given range trip.

At the very least, he owes it to himself to research AMMO costs as much as anything else.

[kadima]

Re. working experience, why not the Armed Forces?

I am just guessing, since I am typing from Europe, but you make some experiences that cannot be made anywhere else, keep fit, get a training, somemoney, too and if I remember correctly there are some advantages in joining a postgraduate course afterwards.

I was a part time army officer during my undergraduate course, it took a couple of year more to get my degree but it was well worth....


K. (now an MD)

[roy reali]

My dad would only allow me to have a shotgun for my first "real" firearm. His reason was safety. Yes, he did teach me all the safety rules and he wasn't afraid to remind me of them with his boot. Yet, he also knew that as a young shooter with a new "toy", youthful excitement sometimes overrode common sense.

With a shotgun using birdshot, there is less down range danger. Birdshot has a very limited long range danger. A .22 rifle is capable of hurting or killing someone much further.

I do think that shotguns make an ideal first gun.

[DanThaMan1776]

Well for starters you have to be 21 for a pistol. So that narrows it down in rifle or shotgun. I would do a rifle in a relatively small caliber or 22 lr. The principles of marksmanship can be learned and they are better plinkers than shotguns.

[hardluk1]

berettacougar A 22 should be on his list. Just doesn't release it. Know one is to good not to own an shoot one. donnybru mentioned the fbi. We have built to homes for fbi retired and both of them practice with 22 version of there old carry gun , do have there own carry guns but maybe oddly nether own a ar still rifle. Bolt rifle enstead.. This guy is a student first and will have some years to work into a centefire. If he"s looking for a home defence gun a 22 will work but that is where a shotgun would be a cheaper weapon and can serve multi rolls is a short barrel for home and long on a sporting clay course. Not skeet/trap. Anyone that has not tried that give it a shoot, don't come natural to many. Kills me, no talent there. He can always buy a center fire and that should be totaly his choice of brand and model along with rifle.

[jakethomas97]

My first rifle I built my own ar-15. I've had plenty of experience shooting 22lr, 20/12ga, 9mm 45acp, 38spl, 357, of course my .223 ar15, .308, and even 8mm Mauser, 30-30, 30-06. I am 17, so I can relate...

45 is harder to control, revolvers fired with consecutive trigger pulls take your aim off, so I'd rather get 2 9mm rnds in a target than one of the others. I'd rather have 10 .22 rounds than 2 45s up against a human. Now .45 costs 30cents per round and 9mm 25 Ish. .22lr is 10 cents, 223 is 30-40.

I suggest starting with a reliable defensive weapon like at/am/ glock pistol.

Pistols will help defend close areas in homes. Glock never fails, always fires, for 15,000 rounds straight no cleaning. One has fired 350k and is at a museum. The simple design with no safeties to hang up on, yet there as 3 safeties you bypass by pulling trigger, the trigger lock, firing pin lock, and "drop lock". Gen 4s have a loaded round indicatorindicator taken advantage of by the slide. All are loosely tolerant yet accurate. Used by cops round the globe.
Glocks are super light.

Bottom like the most reliable pistol is glock, other than those heavy revovlers. Ak is for rifle land. In both, if you replace extractors and what not every couple 1000 rounds, they can shoot steel.


The reason I built my ar was to get it before I couldn't, and to do it in my garage. I am going to move it out of state so I don't have to register. I went with delton mid length heavy bbl. I love the magpul 10/20 10/30 mags. I am OK with it, having shot less than 200 rounds. I put a primary arms cqb scope on it.

Secondly, I asked my legal guardian for the most reliable rimfire rifle in the world, ruger 10/22 and put nodak spud NDS 26 sights rail combo with an extended tech site front sight to save dough. Comes out to $360 because $260 after Paperwork. Plus $100 for sights.

I want to join the navy and get my residency in az then I'll get a glock 19, 17, 26, etc.

[jakethomas97]

Oops, ar ak or glock

[Evan Thomas]

Jake, welcome to TFL.

This thread is over four years old, and I think Donald probably made a decision about his first gun quite a while back. (And let's hope he has more than just the one, by now! )