What would be a good gun for a beginner to purchase? I will be taking a class and would like to own a good one

Question

What would be a good gun for a beginner to purchase? I will be taking a class and would like to own a good one

Answer 1

You don't mention what you want to do with it. Do you want a rifle, shotgun, or handgun?

For a handgun, you can't go wrong with a .38 or .357 revolver. It will do almost anything you will need and the ammo is amongst the cheapest available (more practice!).

I like Smith and Wesson (the older ones without that asinine key lock) but Colt and Ruger are also excellent. If power is not an issue, a .22 revolver is a great choice.

For a shotgun, any good 12 or 20 gauge will do very well. The 12 is more powerful but the 20 kicks a lot less and the ammo is a bit cheaper. I like Remington but any major brand is good.

For a rifle, a good .22 is tons of fun and you can shoot all day for about $25.

Answer 2

There really isnt such a thing as a "beginner's" gun. More important is what you're comfortable with.... I could list some really excellent guns that you may not like for any number of reasons.

I'd stay away from the baby glock (or any compact versions) as a beginner because they're less acurate, produce more kick, and dont provide any benefit aside from compact size for concealability.

I'd also stay away from anything bigger than a 9mm or .40 cal, larger calibers arent useful in real world situations for anything more than putting some fear into someone... and if thats what you're after nothing beats a 12 guage, lol...

Unless you just really like revolvers, I'd avoid them as well. Modern semi-auto handguns are more durable and arent as easily affected by dirt and debris.

My personal favorite is the HK USP lineup, I've got a pair of USP .40 cal's that I absolutely love.

Find one that you like and that feels comfortable to you and dont worry about beginner vs. advanced.

Answer 3

Most of the other answers are assuming you are looking for self-defense weapons. If you are just trying to get into target shooting for sport then you should get a .22 caliber youth model rifle. Many manufacturers make these, basically they have shorter stocks for people with shorter arms. Many adult women find that these models are better suited for them also. A long gun (rifle or shotgun) is a better choice for beginners to learn the safety and respect of a firearm because the longer barrel makes it more obvious where the muzzle is pointed.

Answer 4

I can see your picture and it seems you are a female.  Trust me! A small version Glock 9mm is perfect for beginners and those that are experienced.  Officers frequently use them for backup weapons.

It has little recoil( or kick), not intimidating in size, and fits easily into a purse or knapsack to make it concealable.  

Hope this helps..Just go to a local dealer and ask for "baby glock."  They will know what you mean, and should have plenty in stock as it is a common weapon.

They run 500-525 dollars....but is very easy to maintain and durable..

Answer 5

One you can afford, a caliber you can handle, and one that you are comfortable using in ANY situation.

I recommend a .38 revolver for starters, with a 4" barrel, in stainless or blued steel.

You can evolve to the $450+ semi auto Glocks, Sigs, and HK's later on. ;)

I have the "Baby Glock" in .40 cal, and my wife & I both hate the shorty mag handle on it, so get a revolver for starters. She fired it once and never again, so it's a good thing it's MINE. :D

Answer 6

When choosing a gun, smaller isn't necessarily better! My husband purchased a .380 Walther PPK which is a 'cute' little gun that fits my hand, but the grip is cheap plastic and hurts my hand after shooting for a while. The gun I really like is the .357 he bought. It is a big gun with a comfortable rubber grip on it. Also, due to the long heavy barrel, it will kick less than a smaller gun would saving your wrist the ache. For a .357 you can purchase .357 rounds, .357 Magnum rounds, or .38 specials.

If all else, you can purchase a small .22 which will not be heavy or kick much, however it will not do a lot of damage to any kind of intruder except perhaps a squirrel.

If you have a Gander Mountain in your area they may have a shooting range in which you can test out a particular gun.