Need advice...on getting back into shooting...

Imho skip the 22lr, unless it is for a young child. If it doesn't recoil, make a loud bang, and make you flinch how would you learn the basics?
Most of the people at my local range (and every range I've visited in the last 40 years or so) appear to have taken this advice.
As a result, the vast majority of them shoot 15-25 foot goups that look like buckshot patterns. And most of them are happy with those "patterns".
There are exceptions, of course...but that is exactly what they are. Exceptions.

Proficiency require lots of practice, and it requires a mastery of the basics. A .22 allows one to shoot a lot of rounds inexpensively, and re-inforces good habits (as opposed to re-inforcing a flinch).

When I got serious about handgun shooting about 3 years ago, I started shooting once a week with 100 rounds of .22 followed by 25-50 rounds of centerfire.

Within 6 months, the difference was noticeable. Within a year, I was a far better shooter that I had been. I don't have Todd Jarrett shaking in his boots, but I am a far more competent and confident shooter than I could have foreseen.

I still take, and warm up with, .22 every range session. My .22s have paid for themselves many times over.]
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There is some truth to this but I dont believe this is the main cause. Folks shoot lousy because they dont have anyone to teach them how to shoot well OR they didnt take time to do some reading and improve on their techniques. I would suggest starting out with a full size 9mm. For an adult that has previous gun experience a 22lr is not a good starter.

I am sure if javocado can post on this forum he is resourceful enough to look up handgun control techniques. Start with a full size 9mm, and IF you think you cant shoot well THEN get a 22lr. A rifles recoil and sound is much louder than a pistols. From my experience, many of my friends started learning from 9mm and in one case 45acp and all are able to manage to put rounds in a ragged hole at 7yds, even the ladies that tag along with us "graduate" from 22lr very quickly and switch to at least 9mm.

Just remember GO SLOW
 
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Sig Sauer makes a "classic" line that are .22 caliber versions of their most popular "basic" models. Included with the "Classic" is a coupon from Sig for a "caliber conversion" for $249 I think....

If you go that route (I did) you end up with a high quality pistol in both .22 and either 9mm, .357 Sig or .40 cal. All this for @ $650.
 
So, my plan is this, and please correct my approach if I'm misunderstanding the group direction. I'll sign up for the "introductory handgun" class over at SilverEagle (Thanks oef-vet) or go over one day, and rent a bunch and pick one I like (like Aarond said...find one that makes me SMILE), then take the class. And oh yes, safety is first, as far as getting it locked and away from my son.
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That is an EXCELLENT plan! For your size I recommend a full size to train on until you feel proficient to handle a compact. Here are some good ones to start with (easier controls first)

Glock 17
Glock 19
Springfield XDM
SW M&P
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Hk p30
Hk USP
Sig p226
Walther p99AS
CZ 75B
 
TxFlyFish - orionengnr is correct. Ask a group of NRA Certified Instructors what caliber is best for new shooters and working on form. Every NRA Certified Instructor or Training Counselor I know say it is a .22LR. The ammo savings will eventually pay for the cost of the .22LR handgun. You have saved money over time, have a .22LR and a centerfire, and can practice a lot more for a lot less money.
 
For someone who has previous firearm experience I'm not sure if there's a lot a 22lr can teach and it would be hard to sell later. If someone is new to firearms and starts with 22lr at what point do you introduce them to recoil/flinch control? Much of the technique is tied to recoil management and 22lr IMHO just doesn't have enough of an "average" handgun feel
 
TxFlyFish, every shooter I personally know has kept their .22LR. In fact, many have more than one (usually at least one semi-auto and one revolver). First they practice with it. Second, the ammo is the least expensive you can get and you do not have to reload it. I know well experienced shooters who have a .22LR just for the economics of the ammo cost savings. Third, when they introduce someone they know to shooting, they have a .22LR for that new shooter to use under their supervision. In the long run, a .22LR has the potential to save more than the cost of the .22LR in ammo savings. It does not take much shooting time to fire $300 of factory centerfire ammo if the shooter does not reload. You mentioned recoil management. Recoil control comes from the proper grip, alignment of the handgun to the strong hand/arm and the proper stance/balance and doing follow through. All of these concepts are to be done with any firearm. If they are not done with a .22LR, the group size and POI will make this evident.
 
I really appreciate this discussion and is gives both the OP and me a sensible perspective on this matter. Financially speaking someone who is getting into shooting will be more interested in getting a "full power" pistol. While you could be making the money back from ammo savings but buying a 22lr at least increases his initial investment by 50%, ie spending 50% more to get to the handgun he originally wants to purchase. He will shoot alongside others at the range and would want to upgrade to a full powered handgun very quickly.

I guess this sport is not cheap :(
 
Javocado - I'll be teaching our Basic Firearms Safety class at the Nation's Gun show in Chantilly on Nov. 19 & 20, if you are interested. I'll be happy answer any questions that you may have regarding handguns.

Jim
 
IMO, a 22lr is the best starter, restart handgun that there is. You can run literally hundreds of rounds through it with minimal cost and fuss. In addition, you can focus on the key points of grip, stance, trigger control and sight control without the hassle of recoil and expense.

People say buy and sell the 22, but I would not reccomend selling. I go back to mine often and love it. I have a Browning Buckmark 5.5 Target.
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After a 22lr, I like a 38 special revolver. If CCW is not your aim, I would go 4". If it is, I would go 2.5 - 3".
S&W 10
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or

S&W 67
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or

S&W 640 <-- My favorite
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After some time at these guns, I would try an centerfire auto and it's manual of arms. Glocks are great tools, but require a high level of proficiency and thought to carry under stress. With no safety(impeding firing gun with trigger) and a relatively light trigger pull, they require a fairly high level of confidence and muscle memory to carry. Not great first or second pistols. I wouldn't want my dad to ccw one and he has ~50 years of shooting under his belt.
 
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