Looking to pick up first firearm.

[Quickdraw559]

Hey guys. I'm looking to pick up my first firearm in the next few weeks. I'm looking for an all around firearm. Hunting, plinking, and most the most important function; home defense. I have been leaning towards getting a rifle, maybe just a simply .22 lr or maybe .223, but I see a rifle as a huge disadvantage, as far as home defense, especially in .22 lr. That leads me to the handgun. Would you say that a handgun is a better first purchase than a shotgun, considering home defense is a top priority? Or, would I be better off with a 12 gauge? If I do choose a shotgun, is a 20 gauge adequate for home defense, or should I just go with a 12?

What caliber, maybe even model, do you guys feel is the most versitile? I want to be able to shoot it all day long with no problems, and be able to clean it and throw it under my mattress for months, and be able to pick it up and have it fire properly. I basically want versitility, with reliablility to complement it.

[IntoForever]

Good luck with that one. Long guns don't fit under pillows easily and can over penetrate targets unless you use frangible ammo. I'm not sure a handgun would be good for hunting other than close range. Just give in and get one of each!

Welcome to Calguns!

[Vacaville]

Ruger 10/22. It's a great gun and .22lr ammo is still very cheap relative to all other ammo ($20 for 500 rounds). Should cost you about +/- $250 and you'll never want to get rid of it.

[Kukuforguns]

If this is your first gun, then a .22 semi-auto rifle (Ruger 10/22, Marlin 60, etc.) is an awesome choice. It will allow you to learn skills relatively inexpensively and is very versatile. You can use it for target practice, to plink, to hunt small game, and it will serve for home defense. While a pistol works for home defense, many people believe that a carbine length weapon is more appropriate for home defense. Many prefer shotguns or pistols. There is no perfect home defense weapon. But, there will be near unanimous agreement that you should own a semi-auto .22 rifle.

[alfred1222]

Get a 10/22. It is the best gun to start with. From there, pick up a good shotgun

[opie4386]

everyone should start with a .22 but I would suggest a good shotgun. you have so much versatility in ammo choices and you will have a blast shooting clays and waterfowl. you can get a package deal consisting of a 18 and 26(?)in barrel frome gallery of guns I belive mossberg was the make

[forgiven]

Shotgun

[Arkangel]

A gun is a tool, like most tools every class of gun has an intended role. If HD is the top priority, then go with either a handgun or a shotgun. Remember that a jack of all trades is a master of none.

[thomashoward]

Shotgun

WalMart has 2 barrel Mossy 500's cheap
short barrel for home, long barrel for birds

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Mossberg-Combo-500BC-20-Gauge-22ACC-24FRRS-Synthetic/19231667

[dgon27]

My first purchase. I couldn't decide on a rifle or handgun. So I got 1 of each:
Colt SP6920 .223
S&W MP40 .40
Couldn't be happier. Kind of the best of both worlds. Good luck and let us now what you decide.

[GrinderCB]

First firearm? Go to gun ranges and shoot their rentals. Get an idea as to your comfort level in as many areas as possible - grip size, recoil, revolver vs automatic, which one are you a better shot with, etc.

Here are my recommendations for specifics:
(1) A revolver in .357 lets you shoot less expensive .38 Special ammo. As a first firearm, keep the cost down and go for something like a Ruger SP-101 or GP-100.

(2) A 9mm auto is good as a HD gun and ammo is low cost enough that it won't break you to have fun with it. Many to choose from. I noticed during the gun rush of '08-'09 that lots of first-timers at the gun stores were buying Sigs.

Enjoy.

[roushstage2]

Rifle? Marlin 795 or 60
Shotgun? 12g
Handgun? 9MM I suppose. There were no 9MM's in stock when I bought my first one, so I got a .40S&W instead. I like the XD's, but there are many, many out there.

[Mickael81]

Just get a Glock 17 or 19. 9mm is cheap to shoot and it will put down any intruder as long as you hit the target. In my opinion, Glocks are the AK's of handguns for reliability. It is also like an AR when it comes to customizing any part in the gun.

I know the Glock is not the smoothest handgun but if you become a good shooter with a Glock, every other handgund becomes easier to handle.

[davbog44]

Really hunting is the variable in your list that may be the toughest for one gun to meet. There's just a huge difference between what one uses to hunt jack rabbits, pheasants and deer.

As for target practice, anything that goes bang offers the opportunity to aim at and try to hit something.

A shotgun is absolutely the most versatile weapon one can own, and covers more of the bases than any other single firearm.

I would probably say (just my opinion, worth what you're paying for it) that a solid 357 Magnum revolver is maybe the closest second to a shotgun for versatility. You can hunt some game with a 357, it definitely qualifies as a solid choice for protection, and loaded with softer recoiling .38 Special ammunition, is decent for the range.

[MIAMIbaseballer]

If you are more worried about home defense, nothing beats a shotgun. A 20 gauge would be great. If you want a handgun, then get something in 9 like a Glock 17 or 19, or a S&W M&P9. The handgun just requires more practice to be as proficient as a shotgun for home defense. Either is a lot of fun for plinking. Depends what your friends have too or whoever you're gonna be shooting with.....