Originally Posted by Skippy

The first firearm I owned was a Winchester Model 70 (post '64) in 7mm Remington Magnum. I was in the Navy when I got it and had already qualified on the M16 rifle, M60 machine gun, and M9 pistol, along with having been on the rifle teams in high school and college, so I was pretty familiar with shooting by the time I got it. I traded it in on something else and don't really miss it. The one that got away was a Model 1895 Spanish Mauser cavalry carbine in 7mm Mauser. I did some research and found that it had been made around 1896. It had been sporterized, and the receiver was drilled and tapped for a scope mount at some point. It wasn't really worth anything, but I really liked it.

For an adult who hasn't shot before looking for a first gun, questions include rifle, pistol, or shotgun, intended use, and how much time one is willing to devote to practice. If one is looking at a handgun for diversification of investment that can also be taken to the range occasionally for recreational shooting, I would suggest something in a major name brand, preferably older, and chambering any of the less punishing fairly common calibers. A Ruger Single Six or Bearcat in .22 LR would fit the bill, as would many older Ruger, Colt, and S&W revolvers in .38, .357 mag (you can shoot .38's in them), .44 spl (a sweet and under-rated cartridge), or .45 Colt. Older S&W Model 29 in .44 mag was holding value well last time I checked, and you can shoot .44 spl in them. There are many choices in a 1911 .45 ACP as well.