What "type" of gun do you use to introduce newbies?

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aarondhgraham

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What "type" of gun do you use to introduce newbies?

Notice that I asked for "type" of gun,,,
Not a particular make/model.

I used to take several types for them to try,,,
But in recent times I've narrowed it down to two types.

  • DA/SA revolver with an exposed hammer
  • DA/SA semi-auto with an exposed hammer

First, I want them to learn what the terms single-action and double-action mean.

Second, I want them to know how to manually de-cock both the revolver and semi-auto.

Third, I want them to know what happens when you de-cock both types of handguns.

I feel that if they first learn how to handle an exposed hammer handgun,,,
They could then transition to striker fire or internal hammer DAO more easily.

Not so easily if it's the other way around.

Right now my go-to handguns for newbies are:
  • S&W Model 63 revolver.
  • Bersa Thunder 22 Pistol.

I've had good results with these two fiery-arms,,,
Kinda like learning to drive with a stick-shift transmission.

What type of guns do you prefer to use when introducing a newbie?

Aarond

.
 
SA/DA, Revolver

What type of guns do you prefer to use when introducing a newbie?
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My introductory choice and recommendation, is always a DA/SA revolver with an exposé hammer. …. :)

Be Safe !!!
 
In a perfect world, I would probably do the first introduction with a DA/SA .22lr revolver. I taught my daughters on a SA semi-auto in .22 (Astra 4000). Why? It’s what I had. They moved up to DA/SA in 9mm pretty quickly. With mild handloads.
 
M&P 22 Compact or Browning Buckmark. I want them to start out not having to worry about loud muzzle blast or major recoil (from a new shooter's perspective) while they learn the basics. Pretty much everyone enjoys shooting a 22 pistol and if they don't enjoy the shooting experience it mat very well be their last shooting experience.
 
What type for complete beginners?

SINGLE SHOT

T/C Contender in .22LR.

It teaches the value ( and the work involved) in every single shot. Repeaters are something to be earned. :D

I realize a lot of you don't have a good, or any single shots, but you should.
 
If it's an adult, I almost always start them out with my S&W 686 4" bbl. It's simple to operate (I train before going to the range). It has a good amount of weight (tame recoil), is well balanced (easy to hold sight picture), and I load it with light 38 Special ammo (at first, at least).

I'm a firm believer that wheel guns are the best way for first-timers to put a few downrange.
 
Depends on what they gravitate to or have a perceived desire for. In a vacuum a .22 semi auto pistol or bolt action .22 rifle.

The MAIN THING I do with new shooters is ONLY LOAD A SINGLE CARTRIDGE for the first bit of learning, however long that takes. This ensures that if they get scared and freak out at a shot and drop the gun it will be empty or if they swing left or right off the firing line it is more likely to be empty etc. etc.

I also tend to try and OVER EMPHASIZE the noise and blast they will experience and UNDER EMPHASIZE the recoil as most folks expect .500 magnum recoil but theater level noise when in reality the exact opposite is generally the case. If I can mentally prepare them for the noise the rest is gravy, unless you are doing something stupid like teaching on a scandium .357 or .44 or something else ludicrous.
 
Pellet guns. I have fairly accurate pellet guns, either pistol or rifle. I want it to be fun. I want them to want to do it again. I want them to not be afraid of pulling the trigger and to learn what a good trigger pull is. Then I make fun of their "group" and make some pointers on sight alignment and trigger pull.

Before I go to real guns, I have a Crosman 2240 that does have a little push to it and is very accurate. Then I go on to real guns like cslinger said, 1 round at a time and lots of dry fire at the range between live fire.
 
I thought we were focusing on pistol. I have ALWAYS started a new shooter on a .22 rifle. Usually a marlin model 60, only 5 rounds allowed to be loaded at the time. For my youngest daughter I’ve acquired a youth bolt action .22
 
^^^^ Yep, rifle first, single shot preferred, depending on the age of the new shooter. When my kids started at the age of 6, it was a Marlin 15YN, aka Lil Buckaroo single shot rifle; THEN they moved on to semi rifles and then my Ruger MKII.
 
When all else fails, read the directions !!!!

What "type" of gun do you use to introduce newbies?
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Aren't glad, you asked? As typical, this thread is starting to go south. …. ;)

"When all else fails, read the directions !!!!"

Be Safe !!!
 
Air rifle. Seanc has it right.

Air rifle to .22 rifle... learn the basics, learn to control the muzzle, don’t worry about inducing flinches. Maybe progress to very light centerfire rifle loads, maybe shoot shotgun a little.

In my opinion, the biggest problems with pistols is that it is so darned easy to lose attention for one second resulting in pointing at self or other things that would not be okay to shoot from negligence.

Air gun pistol to .22 contender would be best because of the long barrel helping the noobie keep that muzzle pointed safe. As I sold my contender, .22 single action. Identify target, cock hammer, aim, fire, repeat.

Then semi-auto .22 because it’s easier to work on accuracy. Then build up to larger caliber and finally double action revolver or da/sa semi auto as maintaining smooth trigger control is the hardest skill after flawlessly following all safety rules in my opinion.

Really, did anyone here NOT start out with a BB gun?
 
I guess technically I started with a BB gun but honestly I think my first firearm shooting was either a 1911 or an M16 at around 7ish. Yes I said M16 and not AR15. I grew up with family heavily into class 3 stuff so I got to shoot a great deal of that type of stuff fairly early on. NO MY FIRST OUTINGS WERE NOT WITH THE HAPPY SWITCH TO JOHN WICK. :)

As for airguns I don’t disagree. They can be a great stepping stone. But have their own quirks that don’t translate. It really depends on the new shooter in question, their age, physical abilities and desires.

Honestly the vast number of common firearms don’t recoil that much as to hinder teaching new adult shooters. I find I just need to get them through the boom and pressure wave so to speak.

Again I wouldn’t pull out the trusty .50AE or 7lb 300 Win Mag or something silly but most firearms lend themselves to teaching new adult shooters with the right instruction and additional safety considerations.

Kids are a different story where the tool itself matters far more.

Like I said in an ideal world with most new shooters a .22 rifle and subsequently a .22 pistol. Airgun technique, at least spring/gas ram, doesn’t readily translate to firearms. It will teach trigger control and follow through and is great for safety but for a total newbie I don’t want them going into firearms using a light hold like that necessary for the airguns.

Honestly nobody is giving any WRONG answers.
 
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Mostly a .22LR handgun.

What can be difficult to determine is Whether a person has ever tried shooting before, and if so, did they receive any safety instruction?

People are sometimes not clear about their level of exposure, or what they remember.
 
I start folks with a semi because I (horrors!) don't own a .22 revolver. I move them on to heavy center fire pistols and get them real comfortable with that before I let them shoot anything light, as in pistols I actually carry.
 
I have a friend who is my complete opposite,,,

I have a friend who is my complete opposite,,,
He likes to start newbies with a striker fired semi-auto.

His thinking is they are "fool proof" in their method of operation,,,
The optimal "point and click interface" he says.

He also thinks that training a newbie on a revolver is a waste of time,,,
I tell him that he has no respect for history or tradition.

He is also a Millennial who can't drive a manual transmission,,,
He truly doesn't think he's missing out on anything.

I disagree with him in most things,,,
But I don't try to change his mind either.

Aarond

.
 
.22 LR revolver...I have three of them: Ruger Single Six, S&W Model 18, and a Colt Diamondback. Low recoil and no auto-reloading function to worry about while teaching the basics of safety, sight alignment/picture etc. After a session or two, we go to an auto-loader and teach the basic manual of arms vs. that of a revolver and also the add'l safety considerations: gun's always loading itself, trigger finger off the trigger until aligned with target, use of 'safety', et.al. Guns include: Colt Woodsman, Ruger Mkll, Smith 41, 1911 with .22 upper, and a Sig P226 with the .22 exchange caliber unit installed.

If applicable, we go to a 9mm or .32 H&R when they're ready.

For the most part, we shoot steel from 10 yds as well as plain white paper plates but when they've demonstrated a little proficiency, we shoot BBQ briquettes at 10 yds...gives a satisfying "explosion" of dust, is a challenging target, and they're cheap!!!

YMMv, Rod
 
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