Choosing your first gun, whether for self-defense, hunting or sport shooting, is an important decision. With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to determine which firearm is best suited to your needs. This guide will help you navigate through the various types of firearms, including handguns and rifles, and provide insights into the factors you should consider. We’ll explore the best options for beginners, focusing on ease of use, reliability and safety, ensuring you make an informed and confident decision.

How to Choose Your First Gun

While everyone’s first gun won’t be the same, the considerations when purchasing should be.

Start by identifying the primary purpose of the firearm. Whether it’s for self-defense, hunting or sport shooting, the intended use will greatly influence your choice. For instance, self-defense guns need to be easily operable and concealable, while hunting rifles should have the accuracy and power to take down game.

When choosing a first gun, shoppers should look for a firearm that makes learning the basics of sight alignment, sight picture, trigger press, grip and recoil control easier. A gun should fit comfortably in your hand, allowing you to reach the trigger without altering your grip. It’s important that the firearm is simple to operate and has manageable recoil, especially for beginners. Reliability is equally critical. Opting for a well-known brand with a solid reputation can ensure your gun functions properly when needed. Additionally, consider the maintenance aspect, as a gun that is easy to clean and find parts for will save you time and effort in the long run.

Budget plays a significant role in your decision-making process. Determine your spending limit and explore options within that range, keeping in mind the additional costs of ammunition, necessary accessories and training. Investing in safety training is also vital to ensure responsible and proficient handling of your new firearm. 

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Best First Handgun

As more and more Americans look to become responsibly armed (5 million new gun owners in 2020!), the question of what kind of first gun to get has become more frequent. If you are training for personal defense rather than general sporting use, a handgun makes sense. For a new shooter looking for that first handgun, a quality .22 rimfire is a good choice. A handgun is easier to store and make safe in a locking box. Indoor ranges are often friendlier for the handgun as well. Most have a firing range you may set from 5 to 25 yards, allowing you to build skill at common defense ranges.

The .22 LR cartridge excels as a beginner’s first handgun due to its low cost, non-existent recoil, low noise, and inherent accuracy. Using a .22 LR revolver is better for new shooters than a .22 semi-automatic due to the simplicity of operation, allowing new shooters to focus on marksmanship basics without operational distraction.

Starting with a double-action revolver helps new shooters develop patience and trigger management, skills that are transferable to other types of firearms. Recommended .22 revolvers for training include the S&W Model 63, Ruger 3-inch LCRx and Taurus 3-inch Model 942, all featuring manageable triggers, prominent sights, and single-action thumb-cocking ability.

A striker-fired 9mm handgun would also make a good choice for a beginner. One of the biggest mistakes new shooters make is selecting a gun that is too large and powerful for them to handle comfortably. You should choose a gun that you can control easily and practice with regularly. Some of the best 9mm guns for training new shooters would be KelTec P11, Taurus PT-111, Springfield Armory Hellcat, Smith & Wesson Shield Plus and SIG Sauer P365.

Best First Rifle

A rifle as a shooters first gun is great for learning the basics of sight alignment, sight picture, trigger press, grip and recoil control. A longer barrel is helpful in teaching and maintaining safety, as it is easier to notice what the barrel is crossing. Plus, the rifle can also be used as a single shot while training. Just remove the magazine and work the bolt for each shot. The rifle has little to no perceived recoil, and accuracy is excellent in mechanical terms. Ammunition also remains relatively inexpensive.

The .22 rifle encourages practice and inspires new shooters to engage in outdoor activities. An important consideration is that the .22 rifle will seldom be outgrown. In terms of accuracy, the Ruger 10/22 is one great example. The 10/22 will easily place five rounds into 3 inches at 50 yards in the hands of a trained shooter.

Buying Your First Gun

Your first trip to a gun store can be intimidating. Convinced that they’ll be ridiculed if they don’t display sufficient knowledge, many people try to “fake it” so other customers and staff don’t view them as know-nothing rookies. However, most employees appreciate knowing your level of knowledge, or lack thereof, so they can better communicate on your terms.

When you visit a gun store, it’s important to plant “safety” in your brain. Yes, it’s a store. No, the guns are not supposed to be loaded. But yes, now and then one is. Regardless of whether there should be no loaded guns in a store, it can and does happen, although rarely. Any time you handle guns, follow the traditional gun safety rules. 

Gun stores have some etiquette rules as well. Following these simple behavior suggestions will help make you a favorite customer:

  • When a clerk hands you a gun to inspect, open it again and look to make sure it’s unloaded. A good salesperson will have done that immediately before handing it to you, but doing it again shows you care about safety. He or she won’t be offended but rather appreciate your commitment to safe handling practices.
  • Before pressing the trigger of an empty gun you’re inspecting, ask the clerk if you can “dry fire” it. That simply means pressing the trigger and operating the action when it’s unloaded. It doesn’t hurt most modern firearms to dry fire, but it’s nice to ask since the store still owns the gun you’re examining.
  • If you want to look through the sights, be sure to point the gun at the floor or ceiling as you maneuver it to a “safe” target. Pointing it at the salesperson, even for a split second, is a sure way to make someone nervous. Instead, point the muzzle toward the floor, move accordingly, then raise it to an empty wall or part of the ceiling to look through the sights.
  • When you return a firearm to the salesperson, give it to him or her butt-first or with the muzzle pointed up or down so it’s not pointed at his or her body.

How to Buy a Gun

Before heading to the gun shop, research different types of firearms and understand the basics of what you’re looking for. Some stores have ranges at the same facility, and many of these offer firearms rentals. Ask questions and don’t be afraid to handle multiple guns to find one that feels right in your hand.

When you purchase a gun, you must fill out a government form ATF 4473 Firearms Transaction Record. This form prompts you for detailed contact and eligibility information. A series of questions verify your legal status. If you answer “no” to any of those, you won’t be able to purchase a firearm. And don’t ever, ever lie on the form 4473 — it’s a federal felony that carries big fines and jail time.

Once you complete the form, the dealer will call the FBI National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) to make sure your name does not come up as a prohibited person. This only takes a few minutes unless there is a problem. While rare, sometimes the NICS system returns a “deny” or “delay” result. If your record is clean, then it’s simply a foul-up in the system, and your dealer can point you in the right direction to get it straightened out.

Once your background check is complete, you’re the proud owner of a new firearm. Some stores will escort you to the front door, carrying your firearm for you until you’re ready to leave, but policies vary. Don’t be surprised if there is some process like this used by your retailer.

Choosing the Best First Gun

Choosing your first gun is a significant decision that requires careful consideration of various factors, including the intended purpose, ease of use and budget. By understanding your needs and conducting thorough research, you can select a firearm that suits your requirements, whether for self-defense, hunting or sport shooting. Remember to prioritize safety and invest in proper training to ensure responsible gun ownership. With the right approach, your first gun purchase will be a confident and informed decision that provides you with the protection and enjoyment you seek.

 

This article is a compilation of previous blog posts authored by Bob Campbell, Scott W. Wagner and Kevin Michalowski.