Is there any reason to not start with the .22LR?
There are several that I can think of...
Just logical that you'd want a new shooter to have the best experience possible the first time out.
But, again, many are only interested in buying a weapon (
and only one weapon) for one reason and one reason alone...HD or PD. So, I see no sense in recommending that these same individuals spend the majority of their time learning to shoot a .22 when they have a 9mm (for instance) sitting at home for HD duty. Besides, other than the somewhat easily attained tight groups and the lack of recoil, I just dont see much "thrill" coming from the .22 caliber. With just a bit more practice, beginners shooting a 9mm can attain similar results, but with much more "thrill" factor.
In my experience, new shooters are less likely to acquire bad habits and flinches when starting out with 22s..
The first time my wife ever (and I mean ever) shot a weapon was with a Sig P239 DA/SA 9mm. Her first few mags were lousy shooting. By the third or fourth mag, she was hitting sub 3" groups from 15 feet. When she went with the DAK version, her groups opened up to 5" or so. But, given that she had no previous experience with such a trigger pull, this wasnt bad either. Her "groups" using the DAK probably had less to do with "bad mechanics and/or flinching" and had much more to do with simply needing to learn how to compensate for/dealing with a heavier trigger pull. This is something we all would experience at first...regardless of caliber I imagine. However, again, her "performance" with the DA/SA platform was quite impressive.
BTW- She eventually ended up with the DAK (per my suggestion) based on the fact that she wants a revolver one day and we both felt the DAK offered a "similar" trigger system vs. the DA/SA. Thus, once she acquires a revolver (DAO), she should benefit from both weapons having similar "action." In addition, she wanted something a bit smaller than, say, a P226 (which would have been my preferred 9mm of choice).
Anyway, she bought this weapon for one reason alone...HD/CC. She was not and is not interested in going shooting just to shoot. She wants it to count...each and every time. Hence, she only shoots with her HD weapon.
Regardless, while I agree with you in theory, the reality of it can be a different story altogether. I feel that the likes of the 9mm are very, very shootable right from the start. Hence, unless cost is an issue or one is simply interested in shooting "just to shoot" and does not have an HD weapon sitting around (needing attention), when it comes to adults, I just dont see any real compelling reason for recommending the .22 caliber vs. the likes of 9mm or .38 Special.