thinking about buying first firearm

[devon.818]

i just turned 18, always wanted a gun, never shot one before though.
i want to start hunting, target shooting, and something for home protection(if it came down to it).

so a semi-auto shot gun or maybe a 30*6?
idk
i want to spend under 500...

any suggestions?

[Holland]

Bought my first handgun when I turned 21. Target shooting is fun, you will enjoy it with whatever you get.

[Farbin Kaiber]

Post in the Gun Thread, you'll get a lot of gun folk opinions.

[devon.818]

Post in the Gun Thread, you'll get a lot of gun folk opinions.

didnt know we had one of those lol

[bimmerteck]

I would personally start with a .22 rifle and get used to shooting safely and accurately then move into a more powerful/expensive caliber. There is no advantage to learning the basics of safely handling/shooting a firearm with a larger caliber.

I was given a .22 for my 11th birthday and still use it often, most recently when the wife wanted to learn to shoot. Now after about a year she handles my Remington .308 like she's been shooting for years and years and she can place the rounds where she want's at 100 yards pretty consistently.

[Holland]

I jumped from a .22 revolver and rifle to a .45 USP, lol.

[devon.818]

.22's are also pretty cheap right?

[Restoman]

What would you be hunting? Birds, squirrel, hogs, deer?

[Holland]

Very cheap, insanely cheap actually. A few bucks will keep you firing for hours.

[devon.818]

What would you be hunting? Birds, squirrel, hogs, deer?

idk!
not sure if i want to shoot birds or deer.

if i bought the .22 i think i'd go after squirrels.

would a shotgun be ok to start with?

[bmw325csi]

my first gun was a sig mosquito, although it was a .22 it had all the appeal of a bigger caliber pistol and for the price of 220 on sale with 3 clips and upgraded sights at Turners outdoorsman, it could not be beat

[devon.818]

someone suggested a 870 pump action.
said i'd be able to shoot birds and deer by changing ammo and choke?

[Emre]

If you're looking for a handgun, start with an S&W 686 or 586 revolver with 4" barrel. Pretty much the "do anything" pistol. Great for target work, plinking, home defense, and field carry. It can even be used for small game hunting (with the right loads) and CCW (with the proper holster). Still the best all-around handgun money can buy IMNSHO.

[5Toes]

Want a .22 rifle?
Get a ruger 10-22. Banana clips, and it is fun for hours! and only a few cents a shot.

Want home/never fail protection? .38 special?

[nrubenstein]

I really like the H&K P7.