First gun recommendations...

[ATex7239]

I'm sorry but your OP was NOT clear on what level of knowledge this shooter has.

NOW you make it clearer, but still we are left questioning.

CLEARLY. What guns has this person shot and what does he/she like and dislike?

It's a very personal thing and does not become clear until after hundreds of rounds. I THOUGHT I liked Sig 22X series, 226, 229 etc......at FIRST but the grip and trigger just did not work WELL for me over time. Glock - I don't like chubby stock Glocks AT ALL. Trigger, grip etc. BUT any P80? Wow, I love the grip, super accurate, fun. 1911? Super accurate, love the grip and trigger. Weight the same as a small block. Ultra accurate with a Colt Trooper, love shooting .38 and some 357, but not a carry gun. I love my CZ and maybe near the top accurate, but don't carry. I carry my SA XD sub in .45ACP when hiking with cougars in the area .........and so on.

Can you loan him/her some time at the range to get a direction? Just as a starting point.

For city concealed carry I absolutely love the little Sig P365. I can hit within a basketball at 25 yards, easy. All day long. If I concentrate at the range, really use my discipline - connected groups. Not bragging. It's the gun and the feel. I'm almost 64 and my eyes too.

I dunno, it may take some trial and error. The only guns I have sold off were just not a good fit and just sat in the safe.

I see that now. I kind of took a few things as given and should have been more clear. That’s on me.

Most people who truly put in the time to train and develop skill evolve quite a bit as time goes on. It’s part of the learning process. As the mindset changes so do the priorities. This is in part why I lean towards the full or compact size semi in an common caliber right off the bat. It seems to be the natural course of evolution as skills and abilities develop.

I figure I’m help get them further down the line from the start of that makes sense. And if they stop at one gun, is something like a G19 or M&P really a bad choice for “first gun and only gun...” by my measure no.

 

[Bottom_Feeder]

As mentioned, just get a Glock 19. It's the Goldilocks size in the Goldilocks caliber. You can do anything with it. Yes, they are about as exciting as an LS swap but they are extremely popular for a reason. You really can't go wrong.

Just be aware of the differences between Gen3/Gen4/early Gen5/late Gen5. The 3's will have a slightly fatter grip than the 4 and 5 because the newer pistols have an adjustable backstrap system.

 

[ATex7239]

I think the thing I left out in my first post: try a bunch of different guns, at the range.

Spending $100 on rentals will be far cheaper than buying a gun you don't like, and having to trade it in.

When we went to get my wife her concealed carry gun, we targeted (sorry) single stack 9mm. I had her try the G43, M&P Shield, and the Walther CCP. The CCP won the comparison hands down. Better fit for her hand, less recoil, similar capacity.

I liked the G43 out of that group.

But she did not.

These days, when she joins me at the range, she prefers the G19 to her own Beretta 92, a gun that she chose due to her familiarity with the M9. She kept the Beretta, and it remains a good gun, but she actually likes shooting the Glock 19 a bit more.

How a gun feels at the counter, and how it feels under recoil, are very, very different things.

I love 1911s, for example. They just feel right to me.

But a 1911 without a beavertail grip safety tears up the web of my hand. I only know that from some range time with one.

One of the challenges in recommending anything (first gun, first car) is understanding both the person and their requirements. Skill, experience, and needs all vary.

That said, a Glock 19 will work for most people. Start with trying that one out...

Lots of great points here.

I wish more people would rent or borrow guns first. I just don’t find that people do that. People tend to buy first and test second in my experience.

Also the “feels good at the counter” thing is very true. It’s almost meaningless.

 

[ATex7239]

As mentioned, just get a Glock 19. It's the Goldilocks size in the Goldilocks caliber. You can do anything with it. Yes, they are about as exciting as an LS swap but they are extremely popular for a reason. You really can't go wrong.

Just be aware of the differences between Gen3/Gen4/early Gen5/late Gen5. The 3's will have a slightly fatter grip than the 4 and 5 because the newer pistols have an adjustable backstrap system.

I’m like Glocks but I’m not myopic. I’ve owned Sigs, Ruger, S&W, etc. There are plenty solid guns out there.

All mine are gen 3. I would have been fine if glock stoped gen 2 to be honest.

 

[CB22]

Recent first gun purchase thread/comments sparked my interest... What do you recommend for a new gun owner?

I lean toward recommending a full or compact 9mm pistol. Nothing against revolvers or shotguns though. I just find people become comfortable with pistols faster and are less intimidated by the recoil. Teaching someone how operate a semi auto isn’t difficult either. Most folks pick it up very quickly.

This isn’t intended to be a debate about the effectiveness of one caliber vs another or this brand vs that brand.

.38 special. Easy to hide, always ready to shoot.

 

[totegoat]

I say go to a range and handle/shoot firearms of interest. Glocks don't interest me so I don't own any.

 

[Pablo]

How a gun feels at the counter, and how it feels under recoil, are very, very different things.

Glad we met!

To add, how a gun feels anywhere and how you can center and repeat in very tight groups are sometimes not love at first sight - in fact almost never.

"The only interesting guns are accurate guns"

 

[2005jettatdi]

First firearm, no matter what your experience level, is a bolt action .22, with a pump as an option if you find a good deal. Second is always a pump shotgun or .22 pistol, preferably a single action revolver. After that, anything goes.

 

[nomas]

First firearm, no matter what your experience level, is a bolt action .22, with a pump as an option if you find a good deal. Second is always a pump shotgun or .22 pistol, preferably a single action revolver. After that, anything goes.

What if you have no need nor interest in a long gun ? My wife has three handguns . NO long guns . No interest in shooting one .

 

[Pablo]

First firearm, no matter what your experience level, is a bolt action .22, with a pump as an option if you find a good deal. Second is always a pump shotgun or .22 pistol, preferably a single action revolver. After that, anything goes.

Lever is my first choice.

 

[AZjeff]

What are you calling a compact? Something like an M&P Shield or LCP is the subcompact or micro segment and the G19 is in the compact segment for reference.

The topic is first purchase recommendation not first time shooting, period...

If your adult neighbor said, “Hey, I’m thinking about buying my first gun, what do you recommend?” Your response would be, first - 22 rifle and second - 22 pistol?

That’s fine if that is the answer. I’m just making sure I’m clearly understanding your recommendation.

First gun - .22 rifle unless there are other qualifiers and considerations. If first gun is to be a pistol then a .22 pistol. A .22 rifle gives immediate positive feedback as far as results and no scary recoil. A flinch is tough to unlearn.

I'm looking at a G19 right now on the counter so familiar with the size and segment reference. Shooters tend to forget what recoil is like for a non-shooter.

I consider a non-owner to be the next thing to a first time shooter as far as ability, recoil sensitivity, safety awareness unless known otherwise.

As other's have said what's the intended use? If it's a range toy and maybe home defense and it has to be a centerfire pistol I'd say a full size 9mm, pick a flavor. Or a wheelgun with a decent length barrel.

My sister wanted a pistol to feel safe at home when BIL isn't there. He (not a shooter but hunts deer once a year) went and bought her an LCP which of course she doesn't like/can't shoot. I had her out shooting the G19 and a 1911 and she was amazed at how they felt and how well she could really shoot with just a bit of coaching. She doesn't want to bruise his ego about buying the wrong pistol so the LCP sits in the safe I guess. Bonehead.

 

[2005jettatdi]

What if you have no need nor interest in a long gun ? My wife has three handguns . NO long guns . No interest in shooting one .

If there in no need or interest in a long gun, then a .22 rifle as a first firearm. If your wife has three handguns, she is already past the first firearm decision.

Pablo, I thought of allowing for lever action, but still think bolt action is best. The action of working a lever allows more muzzle movement, especially for the inexperienced. I bought my kids bolts actions, autos, and pumps, but the all started on my old Remington bolt action .22. My Mossberg automatic .22 rifle with the 3x9 hunting scope is a real nail driver. However, I would not recommend anyone start with a scoped rifle.

 

[CourierDriver]

My favorite is my 22 cal revolver,,why,,cheap to shoot,, no recoil and yes it will hurt you,,,watch videos on you tube...I do own bigger calibers, but hey, a 22 hides really well in your blue jeans,,,o yea, get snub nose,,then move up to 9mm when you feel like it...

 

[ATex7239]

First firearm, no matter what your experience level, is a bolt action .22, with a pump as an option if you find a good deal. Second is always a pump shotgun or .22 pistol, preferably a single action revolver. After that, anything goes.

That’s interesting. Mind explaining the reasoning? What does one lose or gain by using a 10/22 w/25 mag vs a bolt action? I would think one could learn the same thing and get more rounds on target in less time.

 

[ATex7239]

If there in no need or interest in a long gun, then a .22 rifle as a first firearm. If your wife has three handguns, she is already past the first firearm decision.

Pablo, I thought of allowing for lever action, but still think bolt action is best. The action of working a lever allows more muzzle movement, especially for the inexperienced. I bought my kids bolts actions, autos, and pumps, but the all started on my old Remington bolt action .22. My Mossberg automatic .22 rifle with the 3x9 hunting scope is a real nail driver. However, I would not recommend anyone start with a scoped rifle.

Right, but the first gun was a hand gun though... So, why does a long gun have to be first gun?

I’m not seeing why one cannot learn with a pistol? Pistols are not really that complicated.

Step one: The 4 gun rules.

Step two: grip the handle thing, put the mag thing into the hole thing, rack the slide thing, point the barrel thing, squeeze the bang thing.

Step three: repeat as necessary

 

[jstert]

first civilian firearm purchase, even by an experienced shooter, should be something in 22lr. shooting someone else’s firearm is different from owning and knowing your own. for a pistol i recommend a ruger sr22 (i own) or a s&w m&p 22 (i like the platform), but there are other fine choices. buy alot of decent ammo (cci at 1200+ fps) and shoot it alot. i’ve traveled across the country with just a well practiced, accurate and reliable sr22, and felt comfortable.

 

[DuckRyder]

I've posted it here before, but google cornered cat and read "gun store miss adventures" or something similar.

Also keep in mind when recommending semis that not everyone has the strength and dexterity to cycle the slide on a semi, there are work arounds of course but some of us take the "rack the slide thing" for granted.

 

[ATex7239]

There are some interesting recommendations here...

First: I should have given more context. I kind of assumed that someone would not go from no gun to first gun for target shooting, hunting, competition etc. My experience is that the first leap as an adult has always been about personal protection. Home defense or carry or both. So that is what I referring to. But anyhow.

Second: It’s interesting that bolt action and lever guns are recommended more than once.Why manual action guns?

That would be like learning to drive on a manual car. I mean sure. I learned on a manual, but i don’t think it’s required. If someone doesn’t want a manual car why recommend learning on one? It seems like wasted time. Just go straight to the automatic. I kind of feel the same way about first guns. Manual actions are fine but are not required.

 

[Astro14]

Right, but the first gun was a hand gun though... So, why does a long gun have to be first gun?

I’m not seeing why one cannot learn with a pistol? Pistols are not really that complicated.

Step one: The 4 gun rules.

Step two: grip the handle thing, put the mag thing into the hole thing, rack the slide thing, point the barrel thing, squeeze the bang thing.

Step three: repeat as necessary

The only problem with your outlined steps, particularly in step 2, is that the “point the barrel thing” and “squeeze the bang thing” is where the real skill development lies.

In the presence of noise, and recoil, much of what needs to be learned to develop that skill gets lost.

The rest can be learned under low stress, classroom environment.

I keep a set of dummy rounds around, so I can teach a first time shooter, of a particular firearm, be it revolver, pistol, AR, or even Garand, can be done under good light, low noise, and low stress.

Then, when we go to the range, adding in noise, recoil, and difficulty communicating happens on top of a solid understanding of how the gun works, and the shooter is far more successful.

Given the incredibly bad shooting I see on a daily basis, (barely on a silhouette at five yards, center of mass hit only randomly) there are a lot, a whole lot, of shooters who never learned the critical parts of step 2.

And who simply repeat bad skills, and bad habits, over and over, at great expense, without ever improving.

It was gratifying to look at the dozen or so other shooters on the range the day I took my daughter for the first time, and realize that she was outperforming all of them in both accuracy and speed.

 

[ATex7239]

I've posted it here before, but google cornered cat and read "gun store miss adventures" or something similar.

Also keep in mind when recommending semis that not everyone has the strength and dexterity to cycle the slide on a semi, there are work arounds of course but some of us take the "rack the slide thing" for granted.

This is true. Technique can help but not always. If this is a concern then low recoil is needed as well. Probably best not to give granny with arthritis the air weight .357.