Is .22 LR The "Best" First Caliber?

[TheReluctantCraftstronaut]

We get a lot of threads where OP asks what his first gun should be. I have always believed that someone getting their first gun should really start with a .22 LR for cost of weapon and cost of ammo. All the basics and beyond can be learned on a .22 and recoil is pitiful, which helps relax the new shooter.

Every friend that has ever asked my advice basically scoffs when I suggest a .22 and on the forums it seems few people recommend .22 LR for a first gun when these threads show up.

I also tend to recommend that people start with a rifle before a pistol, since the sight radius is more friendly to new shooters. This also often gets ignored because people usually talk to me after seeing some kind of John Wick movie, and want a Glock 17 or a 1911.

I understand a .22 rifle or pistol isn't likely going to fill the shoes needed for HD, hunting, competition, etc... but most people buying their first gun are really just getting a range gun.

So what says Cal Guns? Is it really beneficial at all to start with the .22LR or am I just stuck on old hearsay?

[billped]

I'd start with 9mm. It's extremely reliable, can be used for target, home defense, and carry. Plus the guns are big enough to comfortably fit most hands. Additionally, 9mm ammo is reasonably priced compared to the calibers above and just below.

However, .22lr ammo is far less expensive than 9mm (by roughly 70%).

[boopiejones]

Really depends on the shooter. I always bring a 22 with me when I hit the range with new shooters, but unless they’re young kids I don’t force them to start with the 22 before moving on to bigger calibers. Most adults want to skip the 22, and for some reason women oftentime want to start with a larger caliber (like a 460 revolver). In that case, I’ll load it with some 45 long colt so they don’t get smacked in the face by the recoil.

My kids (9, 10 and 12) refuse to shoot anything weaker than a 9mm carbine.

I answered your poll with “pistol of any caliber” because I think new people have more fun shooting pistols and it keeps them coming back for more.

[Garv]

Inexperienced shooter with little to no range time, enough money to buy more than one gun, I mostly agree unless they have rented a lot or been out with friends enough.
Gone out a few times, know what you are doing, maybe rent a few (9mm, not .45 of course ), get what you like.

When I bought my first pistol, it was a BHP, but my wife got an SR 22 the same day. Definite difference when you are just learning.

I have taken a few newbies to the range, they start with .22 shorts in my Single Ten and I see how they do before moving up to .22lr, 9mm and .38/.357.

[ChuckDizzle]

Yes, next question.

[Jimi Jah]

Mark McCain got his .22 rifle from his paw when he was 12. I got my first Marlin when I was 10.

Great memories shooting it with my "paw".

[TheReluctantCraftstronaut]

Mark McCain got his .22 rifle from his paw when he was 12. I got my first Marlin when I was 10.

Great memories shooting it with my "paw".

I got my Henry when I was 12 and have a lot of fond memories of shooting with my old man. So I know I'm biased because it remains my favorite gun in my whole collection, but I still like the idea of teaching people on .22 first and bringing them up (either same day or otherwise) to a larger caliber.

[sealocan]

I also would say yes it's a great caliber to start off with because not only the ammo but also the firearms are usually a little bit cheaper so the sport/hobby is easier to get into.

But I'm sure there's exceptions to that way of thinking, like if you only plan to buy one firearm for the rest of your life... I would then suggest a 9 mm.
Or possibly a 12 gauge pump shotgun if you wanted a long gun because of the variety of types of different ammo you can use.

[ChuckDizzle]

And let's unpack your other statement.

A Ruger 10/22 can be used for home defense, competition and hunting.

In fact, it has a lot going for it in all three uses. It is light, light recoiling, and contrary to popular belief .22 will kill the crap out of you. The 10/22 changes mags easily and with quality ammo is very reliable. I'd have no hesitation defending my life with a couple 10/22 mags of CCI Stingers. In fact, I'd take a .22 LR semi auto rifle over a pistol for home defense every time.

Competition? Throw $300 into parts and smithing and your 10/22 is ready for weekly small-bore and rimfire matches. I see more flyers for this type of competition on range tack-boards than any other. Best part is ammo is cheap and you can practice at just about any range.

Hunting, most hunting out there isn't the sexy big game stuff you see on TV. Far more often people are out shooting gophers, groundhogs, squirrels, rabbits and such. If a person is a noon at shooting, they shouldn't worry about taking down a hog or buck at distance.

[Preston-CLB]

Back when God was a young man, I started with a .22LR rifle with iron sights. It was a good way to start with firearm safety and shooting.

From there I graduated to a .30 carbine and 5.56 M-16 (military qualification), and then up to .38 spl/357 mag, and .308 bolt action (sold long ago).

Now, I have a Glock 17 which I really like, and 9mm ammo is not horribly expensive.

Basically, I think starting out depends a lot on what you can afford on both the short and longer term, in terms of the firearm and ammo. Funny thing about guns, they seem to multiply like rabbits, so you may find yourself upgrading to a larger caliber.

Regarding starting out with a pistol or a rifle: If you plan to be a pistol shooter, a .22lr pistol will be a good place to start in terms of safety and actual shooting.
-p

[TheReluctantCraftstronaut]

That's a good point. I tend to forget things like this, but you're right. It's better for them to have a good time, so long as it's safe, than to get the best group. The accuracy building can come after they've gotten hooked.

Inexperienced shooter with little to no range time, enough money to buy more than one gun, I mostly agree unless they have rented a lot or been out with friends enough.

I agree, there's definitely exceptions to the rule. Someone that grows up with guns, military, rentals, friends, whatever it may be will likely be comfortable with a multitude of calibers. I tend think most of the folks asking "what's the best first gun?" are more likely to be totally new to shooting.

[IVC]

It's an eternal debate.

We teach NRA Basic Pistol class as our NRA Members' Council outreach program and it's always a discussion about whether to start them on .22 because it's easier to learn, or on 9mm because it's the first truly useful caliber.

My system is always to start them on .22, qualify them on .22, then get those who are interested to 9mm and above. They can do additional qualifications with 9mm, if they wish.

The reason to start them on .22 is to have them understand the basics of grip, trigger pull, aim, etc. Once they can reasonably well put groups together, it's time to move to whatever their end-platform will be.

[DVSmith]

It depends on the goal. If someone can only buy one gun and wants/needs it for home defense, I certainly wouldn't recommend a .22. So Bacon!

[audiophil2]

I used to prefer .22lr but I think it was because I was just a tightwad. I have about 20,000 rounds of .22 and I rarely shoot that anymore. I mostly just use my Gemtech stash and run it though my suppressed bolt gun. That is the only time I enjoy shooting .22 now.

My favorite is 9mm. It is cheap enough and I can carry a pistol with it or hit plates out to 150 yards with one of my selectfire guns. WIth subsonic and a suppressor it is quiet enough to shoot anytime of day. If I want zero recoil I can use a pellet, bb, or airsoft gun to do what a .22 can do for such a low cost I don't even pick up dropped rounds and the airsoft stuff biodegrades.

My 12 year old does not like shooting .22 anymore. He prefers 556/7.62x39 and I am slowly giving him time on 9mm pistols.

I still start rookies with .22 so it will always be in my collection. I care so little about it I just dump boxes of it all mixed into .30 ammo cans and don't worry how many brands are in one mag.

[P5Ret]

I think it is dependent on the shooter. Some may need the confidence boost from shooing a lightweight gun with zero recoil. Some may be fine starting out with a .44 mag. I don't think there is any solid answer that can be applied to every new shooter.

I've seen plenty of new shooter's starting out with 9mm and do fine. I've also seen new shooter's in the same class with 9mm that couldn't hit the inside of a barn wall standing inside with all the doors closed.