The best 'first' gun

[Duesenberg]

I think the ideal progression is:

1.) Air rifle

2.) .22 single shot bolt action rifle

Then, depending on one's interest:

A pump shotgun

AR-15 variant

or a "deer rifle" of some sort.

From there, anything goes.

One of the problems (especially here in CA) is that it's next to impossible to (legally) procure a single shot .22 rifle extremely cheaply as in the past. The PtP and DROS alone is $35.00

[HibikiR]

Lever action .22, just because you never know if the new guy/gal is going to muzzle sweep you while talking about their first shot.

[benbangui]

To answer question, I think the best first gun would be a 10/22. It being first, as in, you don't have much shooting experience and it's something to start/learn with.

As far as, what My first gun was, is a sad story.

When I was 6 or 7 my dad gave me my first folder, lock back, buck knife that was a 3 1/2 or 4" Bowie blade.

When I was 15 my dad gave me a S&W air weight 38 special (hammerless)

The sad part is that when he was alive and I was about 18, i asked him if I could trade it for a glock 22. He agreed and I did. As time went on the glock was just a glock to me... had no value and I continued the trading process. So much so that I no longer know what my original "dads" gun is anymore. Didn't mean much to me either until he passed away 5 years ago. After that happened I would have done just about anything to get that same 38 back. Times change and things change. But don't ever give away or trade gifts from those you love. Even if they agree to it

[cvigue]

If you're trying to choose a best first gun it really depends who you are. If it's for a kid, I'd go a bolt, pump, or lever 22lr. If you're older and getting into guns then either a 10/22 or a 22lr revolver, or maybe a Buckmark or something. In my case my first gun was a Savage 99 hunting rifle because we didn't have a lot of money for gift guns that were not practical and I was turning 12 in time to go hunting that year.

I sort of doubt that's a common case in SoCal.

[chasem5657]

Mosin Nagant All the Way

[brey6290]

Single shot .22 410 combo. That being said, mine was a marlin 795 and my friends was his grandpas rem 700 in 30 06. To me kids are to squirrely for handguns or semi auto. There's a couple cases of kids getting excited with handguns and shooting people by accident like that girl at the gun range. I'd stick to single shot if they are young. 1 guy told me he made his kids shoot 22mag without hearing protection so they get a healthy understanding of the power guns have

[StanCo]

My first real gun was a used Montgomery Ward "Western Field" bolt action 20 gauge shotgun. The bolt action was slow but it was a real firearm and I loved it.

I was 13 years old and along with the shotgun I was given 2 cases of low base #8 shells. My mission was to kill as many black birds as I could in my dads almond orchard. A flock of black birds can eat a large amount of almonds in a short amount of time. The almonds became vulnerable to the birds at hull split in July and needed protection until harvest in early September.

My dog was afraid of gunshots but we had a cat that would follow me every time I headed out in the orchard with my shotgun.

[ElDub1950]

Fair warning---I'm opinionated
In my opinion---
It is the one that's given to you when you're old enough to be trusted.
Rifle, shotgun, pistol matters not. A .22 is good or course, but it could just as easily be some obscure military caliber or even 16 gauge.
What matters is that your parents trust you and that it is a right of passage to adulthood.
That such guns are often passed from generation to generation as 'first' add to the continuity of lineage---something modernist social engineers have surgically removed from the experience of our children.
I could go on. Maybe I will later.

I genuinely feel sorry for you guys and gals who, as adults are buying your 'first' gun on your own.

Maybe I'm taking it wrong but that seems a bit condescending. Guns were in the house all the time when I was a kid. Used them pretty much when I wanted. No way my parents could afford to buy guns for 6 kids.

The right of passage was to get out and earn your own money to buy the things you wanted, whether it's a first gun, first car, or just your own school clothes, plus give your parents some of your hard earned money.

Save your pity for kids who have everything handed to them and value nothing.