>>40350153I think a full size 9mm pistol is probably the best first you can do, and on that front I would recommend the cz-75. A handgun for a first is a good idea because it’s easier to lug to the range and back, and you can get a lil mini safe and stow it bedside for home defense, and I recommend a full size 9mm because 9mm is widely available and a fairly small and manageable round, but not too small and distinctly a lil more capable of stopping a threat than 22 (22 is def a lethal round don’t get me wrong but the difference may matter depending on who you ask). I specify full size too in that it’s a larger slightly heavier frame that diffuses the recoil better and makes it easier to handle. I mention the cz-75 in particular because I like hammer fired over striker fired, and I think the integrated trigger safety on the Glock makes for a weird trigger pull
Failing that, if you’re committed to a long gun then a fairly budget-tier AR may be your best option. I would suggest a 10/22, which is an excellent first that would be great for getting a lot of practice in, but ARs are more widely available at this point, 556 is very close the the same availability and kinda similar cost for more range and capability, and it handles really well in that it’s a smaller intermediate caliber weapon and is still easy to train on but also suitable for defense.
I would have loved to recommend a 38/357 revolver like the Ruger gp100, a pcc like the… well… Ruger pcc, or any of a wide array of shotguns, but those may not be ideal very-firsts and I can’t in good conscience make this any longer.
