Get a Walther P22. Smaller, lighter, much more standard in it's configuration, and simply a lot of fun. Master it, and you'll have many of the skills and motor reflexes used with larger calibers.
Highly recommended.
Stay safe,
Any advice? From us?!?! Hold on.
Foreget the handgun, get a double barrel shotgun.
Far more effective for home defense, and skeet is about the most fun shooting "game" I know of.
Both the .22 and Beretta are good choices for starter pistols. It's not too much gun for the beginner. Now, I'm not an expert on firearms courses. I'll let other FReepers guide you through that one.
Go to a shooting range and get to know the people there. They can answer most questions you might have and even help you get familiar with various weapons.
Call the NRA and they can supply you with a list of certified trainers in your area. They will be able to supply you with some "hands-on" guidance and training so that you can make an educated decision. Good luck!
Get a Walther P22. Smaller, lighter, much more standard in it's configuration, and simply a lot of fun. Master it, and you'll have many of the skills and motor reflexes used with larger calibers.
Highly recommended.
Stay safe,
Go to this site.
http://www.goal.org/index2.html
Yeah, move out of MA for beginners.
They also do training and video simulation, if memory serves. Unfortunately, I can't check out the site myself. I'm at work, and it keeps giving me the big red hand ;)
Go to a gun-shop and ask questions but do not be in a hurry to buy.
Go to a range and talk to them. Most will rent by the hour and provide instruction.
Find a buddy or two that are into pistols but be aware that they may have personal biases.
You will hear a lot about the 22 not being a defense gun but you did not say that was your goal.
OTOH, I started my wife off with a 357 Ruger GP loaded with 38's. You can get reasonably priced 38's although not as cheap as 22s.
Check out Ruger 22s. They are lots of fun.
I like my Baretta 9mm Mini cougar, but it's a pain to reassemble. My husband's full-size Baretta is nicer.
I learned handgunning with an old .38 special double action revolver. Safer and less complex that an auto. Has real knockdown, and can be shot relatively cheaply with remanufactured low power wadcutter loads. If you're stuck on a .22, I'd still consider a revolver.
If you want a rifle, a 22LR lever action is a good starting point. Shotgun, a Remington 870 pump will do all you need with a shotgun.
I'm cheap ^_^ --- be safe.
Yes, they are. I agree.
That said, I'm thinking about the Beretta U22 Neos 6.0... any good? It's gotten good reviews in the mags I've read so far and is reasonably priced.
I don't know; I have no experience with it. I have a P22, and it's worked well for me.
I'm also a little nervous about how to go about getting my feet wet in this - I've never even been in a gun shop before. To my understanding, I have to take a training course in order to get a license, and that it's practically impossible to get a CCW license here in MA. Should I join the NRA? How do I find places to shoot? Most seem to be private sportsmens clubs... what's the deal with these?
Well, I can't comment on the legal situation. Definitely join the NRA, no matter what. They maintain a list of firearms-friendly attorneys as well as clubs and ranges. They also sponsor training courses, which I heartily recommend. In fact, I recommend that you take the Basic Pisol course before you do anything else.
Speaking as a former USMC rifle & pistol coach, range record-setter and current gun owner, I'd concur with your choice of the .22 for a first caliber pistol and would add a proviso not to over-spend (you'll gain opinions as you gain practice & will soon want a different, more personally suitable pistol). For home defense there's really no doubt but what a short-barreled shotgun or (my choice) a .45 Colt Automatic Pistol is most preferred. Every burglar on the planet knows the sound of those rounds ramming home to the chamber, and 9 out of 10 turns tail. And never forget: that pistol is ALWAYS LOADED.
Parsiphal
My son just bought an Israeli military hand gun, unfortunately I can't remember the name of it. It has the best balance of any hand gun I've ever held, easy to disasemble and put back together. Shoots 38 shells, it's got a long range...only draw back it's pricey. I think he paid like $5-600 for it. But it is one of the best designed guns I've ever held.
Ruger Mk. II - great for competent beginners.
BTW, Have fun.
RULE 1
ALL GUNS ARE ALWAYS LOADED
The only exception to this occurs when one has a weapon in his hands and he has personally unloaded it for checking. As soon as he puts it down, Rule 1 applies again.
RULE 2
NEVER LET THE MUZZLE COVER ANYTHING YOU ARE NOT PREPARED TO DESTROY
You may not wish to destroy it, but you must be clear in your mind that you are quite ready to if you let that muzzle cover the target. To allow a firearm to point at another human being is a deadly threat, and should always be treated as such.
RULE 3
KEEP YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER TIL YOUR SIGHTS ARE ON THE TARGET
This we call the Golden Rule because its violation is responsible for about 80 percent of the firearms disasters we read about.
RULE 4
BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET
You never shoot at anything until you have positively identified it. You never fire at a shadow, or a sound, or a suspected presence. You shoot only when you know absolutely what you are shooting at and what is beyond it.
Visit Kim du Toit's "Nation of Riflemen" forum:
http://www.kimdutoit.com/dr/forum/index.php
They have a whole forum section for gunowner "newby" questions.