Beginner-does first gun really have to be a .22?

nodule

New member
Hi,

Well, all my paperwork is in to my local police for my FID and permit to purchase
in NJ!. The officer in charge tells my it should take 6-8 weeks.

In the meantime, I continue to do my on line research and plan to start shooting soon. I was wondering if my first handgun really should be just a
.22 cal?? I really dont wanna get a .22, if in a few months, I feel I will need
to buy a .38!

Or can I start with a .38 revolver, like the S&W Model 67 that I have my eye
on? I really dont think I would need a .357 magnum for fun recreational target
shooting.

Thanks
 
Nope. It doesn't have to be a .22.

My first handgun was a 9mm.

My second handgun was a .44 Rem Magnum.

My third handgun was a .22 LR.

You can teach yourself the finer points of technique, trigger control, and refined accuracy with any handgun. It's just cheaper to do with a .22.


However....
I truly believe that teaching myself better technique and control with the 9mm and .44 Mag did more for me than the .22 LR. The way I see it now, the centerfires just improve my skill with the .22. ;)
 
If you have no experience with guns, a .22 would not be a bad idea to start with so you can get the right sight picture and shooting technique down without worrying about the kick.
That being said, a .38 special does not kick that much to begin with. My 100 lb girlfriend shot her first hand gun (a .38 special and then with .357 magnum) just fine.

If I were you, I would do what I did (naturally :D): Get a nice .357 revolver so you can shoot low recoil .38 special and high recoil .357 for fun. I say a revolver so you can avoid a lot of maintenance and have a bomb proof gun (which after re-reading your post is what you plan on doing). I see no reason to limit yourself to .38 special though if you can get a .357 for the same price.

I suggest the Ruger GP100 4" :)
 
Theres cool .22 conversions out there too. And they are not considered a gun so easier to buy in commie states with crappy gun control laws.
 
I have known folks who started with .44 Magnum and gave up shooting because they thought all guns beat the heck out of them. To me it is like sticking your brand new learners permit in your pocket and entering the NASCAR 500.

If starting with a .22 isn't practical for some reason, then start with a .357 Magnum and .38 Wadcutters. The recoil is light and fine for learning, then you can "graduate" to the .357 as you gain experience.

Jim
 
Hello Nodule. I am a LEO in New Jersey. The 6 to 8 week time frame that the officer gave you might be a bit on the quick side for your F.I.D. Card. Don't be surprised or upset if it stretches out to 10 to 12 weeks. Unfortunately, it's just the nature of the beast in Jersey. Anyway, regarding your question about starting off with a .22. I don't believe that it is necessary. I agree with Mr. Keenan about purchasing a .357 and shooting .38 through it. The frame on a .357 is robust and should ease the recoil while shooting the .38, giving you a chance to learn proper form and handling. Once comfortable, you can move up to the .357 round. You don't ever have to shoot .357 if you don't want to, but you have the option. It's like having two guns in one. Good luck in your endeavor and have fun.
 
You can start out with anything you want and a .38 is fine. So, you ask why a .22 is recommended so much. It's very simple as a .22 is a logical place to start, on a learning curve. You can get a puch of cheaper practice with a .22 and practice is what we all need. Eventually, if you stick with this Great Adventure, you will buy a .22 pistol or revolver. Through the years, some of us have been able to acquire various calibers and most of us, have at least one .22 in our collection. .... :)

If a person has a bunch of old coins, it's a collection and if you own more than two guns, it's an arsonal. ..... ;)


Be Safe !!!
 
nothing wrong about starting small and going big later!! you also need to see if your area stores carry 38 loads. it hard to find around here ,lost of 357 here!
 
It depends on what you want to do. If you want to target shoot or hunt small game, a .22 is a fine first gun. I'm interested in handguns for self defense purposes, so my first was a 9mm - low recoil and reasonably priced ammo for practice. Remember that your first handgun will also by definition be your only handgun for a period of time. If you're OK with your only handgun being unsuitable for self defense, then a .22 is fine. Practice with what you carry/use for home defense.
 
If you want to start with a centerfire, feed it .38 Special Mid-Range Wadcutters or the lightest loaded "Cowboy" ammunition you can find. A 125 grain bullet at 750 fps will not rough you up like a +P defensive load.

A heavy gun recoils less than a light one, a S&W 686 or Ruger GP 100 will be easier to handle than a Model 67. But then there are Model 67s out there at very attractive prices as some of the last police departments go over to automatics.

Also get the best ear protection you can find; there are muffs rated at 33 dB and if you wear them over plugs, things will be reasoably quiet. Muzzle blast can be as disturbing as recoil and if you guard your ears you will be less likely to kick yourself into bad habits.
 
if you have a specific need for a gun ie. protection, hunting, etc then buy a gun to fit that need.
if you are just starting out the absolute best caliber to begin with is the 22. they come in revolvers semi autos, single shots, some even come with 22/22mag cylinders.
i don't believe the 22 is a caliber you will ever outgrow. it is the cheapest shooting you will ever do and the most practice you can get for your dollar.
there are also plenty of small game animals out there to hunt.
i'm sure you will branch out into different (larger) calibers but i don't believe you will ever outgrow the 22 and the skills you gain with the 22 will do you well with any larger caliber or type of gun you will add to your collection.
 
Have to be? No...

Your time + your money = your choice.

However...a lot of us started with something larger, and eventually realized that we were wasting an awful lot of money on ammo...especially when ammo prces spiked upward about two years ago. Let's see:

.38 ammo--$15 for 50 rounds.
.22LR ammo--$15 for 550 rounds.

By the time I got through two boxes of .22, that pistol had paid for itself. These days I go through about a box a month.

Want to improve your shooting? Practice good technique and shoot regularly. How do you afford to do that? Reload centerfire ammo and shoot a .22.
 
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My first gun was a .357 revolver because I could only afford one gun at the time and the intended use was home defense/concealed carry. I shot a bunch of .38's for practice and when I had the cash I bought a .22 a few months later. Go with what your need for the gun is, if it is strictly for shooting at the range go with the .22, I shoot mine more than anything. If you need it as a self defense firearm go with something manageable like a .380, 9mm, .38..
 
The S&W Model 67 is a fine gun. If that's what you want get it.

Most people do recommend starting with a .22. There are lots of good reasons to do so.
But if you're dead set on the .38 go for it.
 
Oops! I just read the second amendment on line and much to my surprise there is an entry that states:

"Any citizen whom just recieves his lawfully issued permit must in due conscience obtain a .22 pistol as his first pistol. There must be no exceptions to this rule. We, the founding fathers, feel it necessary to restrict said first purchase to a caliber equivalent to such a small munition to ensure the safety of our fellow revolutionaries. (Plus John Adams has a rather large supply of 22 shells he needs to get rid of pronto, but that has no bearing on this lawfully written amendment) Any decree which unduly conflicts with this amendment shall hereto be construed as void, as this amendment shall live in perpetuity."

Who knew?
 
Beginner-does first gun really have to be a .22?

No, but it is a great place to start. Ammo is cheap, so you can afford to shoot a lot, and .22's are just fun to have around.

I don't know how hard it is to buy a handgun in NJ, but if you are limited in the number of handguns you can buy, I would skip the .22 and go for the 38 special or even better the .357 Magnum. Remember that you can shoot 38 special in the .357 platform but not the other away around.
 
It can be any gun you want although a .22 is the best choice for a novice gun owner who wants to spend a lot of time practicing.

A .22 allows you to easily learn a good shooting form without much recoil, ammo is cheap and that allows you time to spend a lot of time practicing without spending a lot of money.
 
thanks

Thanks, guys...for ALL for great advice and suggestions!

I have read several posts on this forums of guys saying that buying a .357 revolver
and ONLY shooting .38 out of it will gradually degrade the cylinder chambers over time and is not recommended. And if your intention is only to shot .38,
DONT get a .357 revolver because its not good for the gun.

Any truth to this??

Thanks
 
and ONLY shooting .38 out of it will gradually degrade the cylinder chambers over time and is not recommended.

Shooting .38s out of a .357 does not degrade the cylinder. It does cause a build up of crud on the cylinder walls from the shorter cartridge. Cleaning your gun will take care of that build up.

There are no worries shooting .38s out of a .357.

Personally, I wouldn't buy a .38 over a .357 because a .357 really gives you two guns for the price of one. A .38, while a fine round, only shoots .38s.
 
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