Recommendations you would make to first time shooters on a firearm

[ianb]

Topic: "Recommendations you would make to first time shooters on a firearm"

I'm a bit late to the party but I've got a slightly different perspective. Both my sister and sister in law have recently approached me with similar questions. Neither are more than casually acquainted with firearms. 

First, recognize that this gun is a tool. Match the tool to the job. Decide what you want it to do, where you want to keep it, what's appropriate for the shooter's ability, budget, and so forth. 

Second, learn to shoot. Start small. Gain familiarity with guns in general. Learn to be safe. Learn to care for them. 

Third, learn your gun. Get good with it. Real good 

Forth, practice. A lot. 

[Will Carry]

Below is the first reply I made. I miss read the OP. Sorry. My advice on a first handgun would be a 9mm. Smith and Wesson M&P, comes to mind.  

"My recommendation would be to immerse yourself in gun safety by reading, watching quality videos and getting some one-on-one training.  You can get some really good safety instruction from the fine people on this forum. You will need to continue to learn and relearn safety, at least that is the way I have to do it. "

Edited November 10 by Will Carry

[pop pop]

My students always sit down and go through "thorough" safety training, and gun manipulation, before any live fire takes place. Usually takes about an hour with families and 30 to 40 min with individuals. We start live fire with a 22 LR revolver and 22 semiautos then work up in caliber, but don't go over short time with a 38 Spl or 9 MM for first few times. Just want them to feel the recoil from traversing upward in calibers. I feel they need to go home and think about their experience, and then have a good first time out. 

Always stress they need safe practice upon safe practice afterwards, should they choose firearms ownership. They need to handle the chosen handgun until it is almost like an extension of their hand while always thinking basic safety when the pick it up. 

I have found most people will not be like the majority here on this forum. It cost a lot to get proficient, as most here know. Depends how proficient they want to become. 

Gun ownership doesn't make you a proficient shooter. It takes "Time", "Practice", and lots of "Money" now to arrive there. I will submit a few have purchased a gun, and the first time they pick it up use it to "successfully" protect themselves without a lot of training. I wouldn't want to face that myself, so I stress safety and practice with your final choice. 

[chances R]

big fan of your process.....I too start new shooters with .22.  Nothing wrong with crawl, walk, run process.  Proficency and safety is the key. Nothing wrong with buy another gun as one progresses at their own pace and interest in firearms.  Surprising how many instructors as well as students don't understand how tough dbl action revolvers can be to shoot.