Beginner handgun and rifle?

Question

I wanted to know what everyone's opinion is for a beginner getting into shooting. I am interested in the springfrield XD 9mm model as far as a handgun. On construction sites we use a ramset gun and it has the same recoil as a .22, so i am not much into investing in a .22 handgun.

Now, I wanted to know everyone's opinion on a rifle. I am more interested in a semi-auto( DSA FAL, Springfield M1A, Sig 556), but I have never shot a rifle before, so what is everyone's opinion on getting started.

Answer 1

The Springfield Armory XD-9 is a solid choice for a pistol.

If you've never fired a rifle before, I suggest getting a bolt-action rifle chambered for .22 Long Rifle ammunition.  Marlin, Savage, CZ-Brno, Ruger and Kimber rifles are worthy of consideration.  I prefer Marlin, but you may feel another fits you better.

Take some lessons to learn the basics of safety and marksmanship for both pistol and rifle.  

A .22LR chambered rifle is economical to shoot while you hone your  skills.  Later, you can purchase a centerfire cartridge rifle of your choice.  In the meanwhile, the Springfield Armory XD-9 is useful for target practice and home defense.

Answer 2

It's really just whatever you prefer. Guns aren't cheap, so, in my experience, you would better off getting something not for "beginners" per se, but something you will use for the rest of your life. I'm also not big on semi-autos...they seem consistently inaccurate to me (American-made ones anyway). But Remington's R-15 looks to hold some promise. Hope this helps....

Answer 3

For a beginning shooter, regardless of age, the best rifle to get is a .22LR. Ditto on a pistol. The rational is simple. First the .22 LR has minimal recoil and noise. As a result shooters learn the basics properly without learning to flinch due to the pounding their gun gives them. Second .22LR ammunition is cheap. Because its cheap you can afford to shoot enough to become a good shot. Finally, .22 rifles and pistols are cheap compared to their big bore brethren. That means you it isn't going to cost you a lot of money to learn to shoot. Once you're comfortable shooting a .22 and can shoot well, then you step up to the big bore rifles and pistols you mentioned.  

As far as specific starter rifles, the ideal starter rifle is a bolt-action, single-shot .22LR. The reason is simple, you have to manually load a new round after each shot. There's no magazine and no chance you can "accidentally" chamber a round. However most people want a magazine fed rifle since they intend to shoot a lot and maybe hunt a bit. So take a look at Savage's Mk.II/Stevens 300 bolt gun. If you're set on a semi-automatic, take a look at Savage's model 64 or Marlin's model 60. Both are inexpensive, reliable, and accurate entry level .22 semi-automatic rifles.

As far as starting pistols go, look at a good .22 revolver or .22 semi-automatic. For the revolver, maybe take a look at the Ruger Bearcat in .22LR. For the pistol, maybe a Smith&Wesson model 22A would be a good choice.

Answer 4

Check out ther CZ line.  Well made and you don't have a fortune invested.  For a rifle, Savage or Remington make a good auto-loader.  You don't say what you want them for. So really it is hard to recommend anything.  For plinking the 22 magnum is a nice one to think about. The Automag in 22 Mag will set you back about $450. A good Browning Hi-power in 9MM is a very excellent weapon.  14rds mag and over 50 years it has been around and still going.  For a rifle, If you hunt, The Remington auto loader is an excellent rifle. Cals, 270,30-06,308 are all available. $300-$500.   My sugestion to you is figure out what you want them for and get what you like.  My favorite pistol I have is my 1896 broomhandle in 9MM. Made in 1932 and still going.  I just shot a 96 out of a possible 100 at the local range. I love shooting my Ruger Vaquero in  45 lC.  I have fired over 1000 rds and its barrel  still looks new. My point is get what you want, and is a well made weapon that will give you yeras of service. It does not matter what you start with.  You will get more. Good Luck

Answer 5

I think that your choice of handgun is ideal. Here is why. First of all the Springfield is a striker fired polymer frame gun that has been gaining popularity for the past 5 years or so because it is a quality relatively in expensive firearm that has a consistent trigger pull. These features are why Glock became so popular. These guns are easy to shoot, are no frills, and very reliable. I like a Springfield, and I own a Springfield, 2 Glocks, 5 Sigs, and 3 1911s(2 of which are Springfield)They are all great guns, but as far as the striker fired guns go, I prefer the XD. Plus its American!

Now the caliber is ideal, because the 9mm is a powerful, battle proven caliber that offers high capacity, with low recoil. Coupled with inexpensive ammo, the gun will quickly be mastered with a lot less cash than a .40, or a .45. I like the .45 cal for personal defense, but shot placement is far better than caliber size. It makes no sense to buy a gun that you can't afford to shoot a few thousand to become proficient with, and can't hit the bad man.

As far as the rifles are concerned, you are comparing an apple with two oranges. I have owned a DS arms STG58, and I still own 2 M1A's . The M1A and the fal are battle rifles that have served Nato soldiers well.

I loved my FAL, and DS Arms build a great domestic gun,(the SA58), but don't be afraid to buy the Austrian Built Stg 58( the reciver is american made, but all the other parts are non-issued Autrian Army battle guns. The FAL was once considered the arm of the free world, as that it was in the hands of over 90 non WARSAW countries. Parts are cheap, and the design is a very dependable piston driven gas operation.

The M1A speaks for itself. Its american, and based on the M1 Garand gas system. The M1A is accurate and dependable in ordinary trim, and a tack driver in match trim..

The Sig 556 is also a bad arce gun, but it is an assault weapon. That is to say it is not a full powered .308, 30-06, Soviet 7.62x54mm, or German 8mm Mauser. The assault cal is more of a ranch gun great for the 2 legged critters, and varmints/predators, while the .308 can kill big game like Deer, Black Bear, Moose, Elk, and the two legged critters.

All 3 are great but I would stick to the .308 for the versitility of long range shooting and hunting.

If you buy any of the guns you mentioned you wont go wrong, its just in what you want. Besides if you are un-happy with one, you buy another.

Hope this helps.

Answer 6

Your best choice for both is the .22 long rifle. .22 long rifle ammo is cheap, there is no  recoil, and allows you to have both a pistol and a rifle that will shoot one type of ammo. Well made semi-automatic .22 rifles include the mossberg plinkster, marlin model 60, ruger 10/22, savage 64, and the remington 597. Pistols however are a little more expensive than most rifles, but for $200-$300 you can get some good quality semi-automatic models. Models include the beretta u22 neos, the ruger 22/45, browning buckmark, and the smith and wesson 22a. Enjoy.    

Answer 7

The XD 9mm is an excellent first handgun.  Get the 5" barrel model.  The extra sight radius will make you more accurate.  For a rifle, I would recommend a basic Ruger 10/22.  Rifle ammo is currently pretty expensive.  Practice for a while with a .22.  

If you absolutely want to start out with a centerfire semiauto, then start out with a basic AR15 chambered in .223/5.56.  It is the least expensive ammo right now for a commonly available AR and the magazines are cheap and plentiful.

Start out with a used one because you will save several hundred dollars and you will be able to get your money out of it should you decide that you want a different rifle instead.  There are no really "bad" AR15s on the market.  Look for one of the established brands like Armalite, DPMS, Bushmster, Rock River, Olympic Arms, etc...

Answer 8

If you are looking for a service rifle, look at an AR, the DPMS..

You can buy a lower and a kit and build your own, it is fairly simple with a tutorial that can be found on AR15 forums. You have to fill out the 4473 on the Lower..

Unless you are made of cash the M1A is a bit to pricey and the FAL, M1A are clunky to carry for any length of time.

A decent AR will run you about 700-1200 where the M1A starts at $1200.

As far as pistol do some shopping. Find one that fits your hand, I had a hand injury as a teen and had to pick a pistol that fit my hand. I looked at the Walther P99, as I've had the P22, I wound up getting a Taurus Millenium Pro, because of the fit.

I know a lot of guys who swear by anything on a 1911 frame. that's great.

Answer 9

If you want a semi-auto rifle consider a Ruger Mini 14..... Its one of the finest carbines money can buy...  Yeah yeah yeah all the armchair experts are going to tell you to get an AR15 of some similar black gun.... Avoid that as a first choice.... The Ruger is decently accurate, the ammo is cheap and its polite looking.....  Then later if you feel the need consider getting an AR15...  A lot of my friends and myself bought the Ruger 1st... Then after awhile bought the AR15 type rifles.... All of us were glad we got the Rugers.... Sure I like the AR15 rifle but I like the Ruger Mini 14 so much I have 2 and 2 Ruger Mini 30 rifles..... They are my favorite......

A Mini 14 feels better across your back than an Ar15.... If your in the woods with a Mini 14 and run across other hikers / nature types they wont get all creeped out like they would if you were carrying an AR15 or some other black rifle

Answer 10

For the Rifle Get a .22

For the handguns get a 9mm

Answer 11

To answer your first question:

Beginner handgun & rifle:  Caliber, both .22s; handgun .22 LR revolver of your choice; rifle a good bolt-action of your choice.

Between the semi-auto centerfire rifles you asked about the FAL is hard to beat although a .223 is is better suited for a beginner, say the Ruger Mini-14.  The .223 is not suited for big game hunting (say game bigger than javalina or coyote) but the .308 is so it depends on what you want to do with it.  

If you think you are ready for a centerfire pistol the XD 9mm will suit you as 9mms don't generate much recoil either.

H

Answer 12

I know you said you are not so much interested in a 22 handgun, but do me a favor, go to midwayusa.com or cheaperthandirt.com and see how expensive 9mm ammo is and 45auto ammo is, and then look at the 22LR ammo prices.  See, that is a pretty good reason.

Plus, it is easier to master the art of shooting when you aren't getting pounded with recoil.  You want to be pounded with recoil, grab a big hammer and go beat it against a rock for an hour.  Shooting is about hitting the target not splooging lead downrange like a the gun equivalent of a male p**n star.  It isn't about making big noises either.  

Go throw rocks into your snowblower if you just want to randomly send things flying and make big noises.

That being said, a single 22LR gun is probably all you need, either a handgun or a rifle.  I suggest getting a Ruger 10/22 for about $200, or if you want to save a bit, most gunstores (note, not sporting goods stores, gunstores!) have extensive racks of used guns, and getting a used bolt action .22LR rifle in good condition should run you $100

Aside from that, the springfield XD in 9mm is a good choice.

As far as rifles, I really recommend the 5.56NATO aka 223

Check out Bushmaster OlymicArms DPMS, Rock River, and I am sure I am missing a few, for some good reasonably priced AR-15s

Alternatively, Kel Tec has the SU-16, a folding rifle that is plenty fun to shoot and accepts standard M-16/AR-15 magazines.

Finally, you can also get a Siaga, which is an AK redesigned to get past import regulations.  It is a great gun availble in 223 or 7.62x39 soviet

I cannot believe I forgot the SKS, it is the AK's older brother, and quite inexpensive.  10 shot fixed magazine, bayonette, plus grenade launcher! what's not to like?

Answer 13

On the pistol part of it:



  - Beretta 92fs is a nice cheap yet quality gun.

  - Glocks are cheap and decent too.

  - SIG 226 or 229 is an excellent choice... probably the best choice

  - Colt, Smith & Wesson, or Springfield 1911's - best trigger; reliable gun.

On a semi-auto rifle:

  - The ones you mentioned are good choices

  - A Colt carbine is a great semi-auto rifle too.

  - FN Herstal makes a nice semi-auto sniper - it's .308 so only a little kick