Recommendations for a beginner shooter for a range gun?

Question

Hello,
I was wondering what some of you guys/gals would recommend as a recreational/range gun for a beginner shooter. I have fired a gun before, but I would like to purchase my own that I could take to a shooting range and become comfortable with and develop competent marksmanship. I am not interested in personal protection, so I don't need anything huge like a .40. What brands/caliber guns would you recommend as a first gun? I am looking at the $200-$350 range.

I asked the guy at the local gun store and he recommended at Waltham p22 priced at $329. What do you guys say?

Thanks for your help,
Lewkarg

I think I'm looking for a basic pistol, but I am open to anything

Answer 1

Do your homework. Try finding a range that rents or friends who will let you try the guns. My suggestions:

22 Rimfire
(Semi)Auto Pistol: Ruger MK II or MK III
(Semi)Auto Rifle: Ruger 10/22 (Huge aftermarket for accessories.)

.17 rimfire would be similar

Center fire pistol:
.357 Mag Revolver - S & W or Ruger
Shoots .38 SPL and .356 Mag - LOTS of available ammo and can be cheap to shoot. .38 will be low recoil for beginner.

Center Fire Rifle:
Try .357 Mag Winchester 94 lever action. (see above)

Always know and practice gun safety!

Answer 2

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RE:
Recommendations for a beginner shooter for a range gun?
Hello,
I was wondering what some of you guys/gals would recommend as a recreational/range gun for a beginner shooter. I have fired a gun before, but I would like to purchase my own that I could take to a shooting range and become comfortable with and develop competent marksmanship. I am not...

Answer 3

you didn't specify handgun, or long gun.
Go with the .22
You can burn up a ton of ammo learning to shoot and .22 rounds are still a bargain.

The .22's autos such as the Ruger, Colt, S&W, Tarus, Beretta, and a host of others will allow you to learn without a large cash outlay. Most will cost from $250-400. Probably as many game annimals have fallen to a .22 as most any other calibre.

Get and wear a good set of hearing protectors. When you go to the range notice the older folks and see how many are wearing hearing aids. Wear hearing protection and safety glasses. .22 rounds are known for bursting cases along the rim. Hot gases and metal particles will ruin your eyesight.

Some of the older .22 revolvers are really good buys in today's market. And most of the name brand revolvers are really accurate.

Also, join the National Rifle Association. Their political clout is about the only thing that stands in the way of firearms confiscation in the USA. Protect your rights as a citizen, vote and be a NRA member.

Answer 4

I'd recommend a .22 cal as your local gun store has suggested.
It has very, very little recoil and the ammunition is inexpensive. I've had good experiences with the older Ruger Mark I and Mark II pistols. I believe the current Ruger 22 is a Mark III with a suggested retail of around $300. I've never owned a Walther but they are a reputable company and I'm sure it would be fun at the range. Find something that is comfortable and have fun. Be safe!

Answer 5

Waltham? You don't mean Walters P-22, do you?

I own a Walters P-22 two-tone with nickle plated slide and laser sight. I paid about four-hundred, so a plain blue one sounds right at $329.

Its a good gun. You can have a laser sight added for about a hundred dollars, and for about a hundred-five, you can get an optional 5 inch barrel. I opted to remain with the 3 1/2" barrel.

You can look at the Rugers and Smith & Wesson .22 autos also. They'll be closer to a full sized handgun.

H

Answer 6

22 would be a great first gun caliber. Try and stay with Ruger or Browning. I have found that those brands are the most reliable.
S&W, Walther & even Sig's 22's have problems. I work at an indoor range and we rent guns. So I get to see which brands do the best. good luck and enjoy your new hobby.

Answer 7

a fire arm is a good choice. for small range shooting, a 22 will do just fine. there are many out there for under four hundred bucks.

however, i would reccomend you buy a decent air rifle. the 177 calibers are nice, but they also come in 22, 25 and 45 calibers. they are just as accurate but you dont need any kind of license or fid card to own, use, or buy them. plus the ammo is way cheaper.

a good air rifle to go with is a gamo rifle. very dependable, always a good buy.

plus, with an air rifle, you dont have to go to a range, you can always set up a trap in your back yard.

air rifles are not bb guns, so dont go thinking that. the velocities on some air rifles such as the gamo shadow 1000 which i have, in 177 caliber are around 1000fps with one cock of the barrel.

its enough power to shoot through some small gauge steel, like a steel barrel for instance.

plus, they are much more quiet then a fire arm.

Answer 8

Ruger 10/22. Before you get serious about shooting, get yourself a .22 rifle and try it. The .22 is the best way to get into the shooting sports. You can shoot all day long for a few dollars. If you buy ammo in bulk (500rds) it'll cost you a penny or two per shot. It's also alot of fun and the best (and cheapest) way to improve your marksmanship. I would highly recommend the RUGER 10/22 rifle or carbine. Very dependable, won't break the bank and easily modified if you want to go that route.
Also, Join the NRA . Join the fight to protect your right to buy that rifle or pistol.

Answer 9

You should consider buying a Ruger 10/22 or a Henry Survival Rifle .22
(It's not that accurate, but is lots of fun to shoot when you are in a range and figure out distances to be acurate)

Answer 10

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