This is for Justliftbrah.
The first firearm I ever fired was a Remington single-shot bolt action .22. Not very sexy in our present tacti-cool century, but with this rifle I learned everything I needed to know about the fundamentals of shooting: position, hold, breath control, front sight, trigger control, elevation, windage, and trajectory.
I was eight years old, but I’ll never forget the instructor’s words as he held aloft a tiny golden cartridge: “this is a twenty-two long rifle cartridge. The bullet can travel over one mile, faster than the speed of sound, and can kill anyone here.”
This, more so than the memorization of the famous “four rules” taught me about respect of the weapon and what it could do. And once I saw my first targets with those little deadly holes punched in the black bull, I realized that I, little eight year old me, could actually direct this awesome deadly force. It was exhilarating and sobering at the same time. That feeling has stayed with me ever since, and though I’ve since then owned and fired weapons that dwarf the .22 many, many times over, I can’t help feeling a great respect for the cartridge and the rifle.
Sure, these days everyone wants a Glock and an AR, but I would definitely recommend a solid .22 rifle as a first firearm for anyone, whether they are eight or forty-eight. Learn the fundamentals on a .22, then graduate to a centerfire rifle or carbine. Only when the centerfire rifle has been mastered would I recommend picking up a handgun. Probably a .22 revolver as Push recommends, then a centerfire double-action revolver.
As far as brand and caliber go, allow me to make four recommendations: the Ruger 10/22 magnum, the Ruger 44 magnum carbine, the Ruger Single-Six, and the Ruger RedHawk in .44 magnum with a four-inch barrel. In that order. Four guns, two calibers, one manufacturer that makes extremely sturdy, inexpensive, well-made firearms.
The benefit of the magnum chambering is that you can use regular lower-powered .22 LR and .44 Special for learning and practice (and also defense, which the .44 special is perfectly adequate for) and the magnum loads for hunting. This will carry you a long, long way, and will cost you a lot less than you might expect.
Best of luck to you.
