I used to say to start with a .22 revolver,,,
I used to say to start with a .22 revolver,,,
But nowadays the ammo availability is too iffy.
And to be honest the reason to shoot .22 is the cheap ammo cost,,,
But I finally understand not everyone is as miserly as I am.
I grew up dirt poor and was that way for most of my life,,,
I always made enough to afford the necessities,,,
But disposable cash was hard to come by.
So while my friends were happily blasting away with costly centerfire,,,
I was happily plinking away with my affordable rimfire guns.
Even now as I have a much nicer disposable allowance,,,
The ways of my youth still hang on in my mind.
A few weeks ago I was approached by a friend who wants to start shooting,,,
My first reaction was to recommend a good .22 pistol to start with,,,
But while we were out for a drink to talk about guns and such,,,
I observed something and came to an epiphany.
He drinks $6.50 beer without batting an eye,,,
He has all of his clothes laundered,,,
He pays to have his car washed,,,
He
will afford practice ammo.
He has a place to practice that is very convenient,,,
His sister has a small farm right out of town,,,
So he says he will go shooting often.
I asked him if he would spend $25 or so for 100 rounds of practice,,,
He didn't hesitate even one instant before he said yes.
So I told him he should look at either a nice revolver in 38/357,,,
Or decide on a nice semi-auto in 9mm or above,,,
And order plinking ammo by the 1,000 lot.
In recent months I've seen 9mm averaging about $210 to $230,,,
And even as low as $189 plus $16.00 shipping,,,
.38 and .357 ammo for not much more.
So instead of steering him towards a .22 practice piece,,,
I made the suggestion we go to H&H range and rent some pistols.
I told him that my CZ-75B cost me an even $500.00 brand new,,,
He didn't even bat an eyelash at that expenditure,,,
So we are going to shop in a few weeks.
I still have the penny-pinching attitudes I've been ingrained with,,,
I will always shoot more .22 than all my others combined,,,
But I'm going to stop urging newbies to follow my lead.
If they have the cash to afford practicing with centerfire ammunition,,,
And if they want a gun for defense of home and family,,,
Buying a quality 9mm and bulk ammo is sensible.
My attitude has shifted in my old age.
Aarond
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