Rifle recommendation for a newbie

.22s are great fun...Lots of folks here seemed pretty sold on the Ruger 10/22. I'd suggest you take a look at some others as well. I have a Winchester 9422 (lever action) and a Remington 572 (slide action or pump). I also have several bolt action (Marlins). Don't overlook buying used. I've acquired many of my firearms that way and you save a bunch. A twenty two is so cheap to shoot and recoil is minimal...They can put squirrels in the stew pot, and they are great for a first timer. Good luck and by the way...if you're like most of us, you will be owning several in a short amount of time! (I would if I were you) opt for a rifle before a handgun. If you still go with a handgun, I would opt for a revolver as a first handgun over a semiauto. I would also suggest you enroll in a class to teach proper firearm safety and technique. Good luck.

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"Those who hammer their guns into plows will plow the fields of those who don't."-Thomas Jefferson

Turns out the local firing ranges offer free "Ladies' Nights" There's a range a couple miles from our house that also has an "intro to firearms" course for women that allows students to try several different handguns and rifles, so I will take that one before deciding what I want. They also offer basic gun safety classes, which I would take anyway.

Thanks for all the input!