Anyone who starts anyone with anything more than .22LR is a moron.
Pretty broad brush there, amigo!
On topic, assuming we're talking strictly handguns, a medium-to-large frame 9mm isn't much more difficult to handle than a .22lr.
I bought a p226 in 22 and then bought a 9mm barrel for it. It is great with mini mags but finicky with cheaper ammo. No recoil and all the feel of a full size gun. After they have gone through a bunch of mags it is an easy transaction to changing the barrel and shooting 9mm. P238 is a very soft shooting gun for its size. The 10/22 has always been popular but I just bought a 15-22 for an easy transaction to an AR. Vepr 12 looks intimidating but shoots very soft.
Actually the inexpensive price of .22 ammo and comparative lesser price of rimfires would encourage more trips to the range, IMHO. A person must eventually be self-motivated to continue improving their skills. I've never considered learning to shoot a .22 to have any drawbacks. Sometimes I'll actually let someone shoot centerfire calibers the first range trip, if they shoot the .22 well. If a person thinks a .22 is their limit for self-defense, that is their choice. At least it is better than throwing a rock, although David had success with his!Nothing wrong with .22's. I own and shoot them a lot. They are a good 1st trip to the range gun.
Too often we don't have a plan to move folks on from the .22's though. Lots and lots of folks are afraid of recoil and how to manage it because they are allowed to think that .22's are enough for self defense.
Anyone who starts anyone with anything more than .22LR is a moron.
I have to disagree with you on a .22 not being softer than a PCC. Not that PCCs are hard, but they are not as soft as a .22.AR's fit more people. My ar9, ar45 have been great first timers. I think 22lr has merit, but it's not like it's any softer than a pcc or safer.
I have to disagree with you on a .22 not being softer than a PCC. Not that PCCs are hard, but they are not as soft as a .22.
A lot of what I think has already been said, but I'll say it anyway.
I love giving a newbie a 229 in .22 with a suppressor.
They always love it, too.
.357 revolvers with lightly loaded .38s are popular, too.
A Marlin 39 is a smilemaker.
People love using the lever.
Personally, I like a 10/22 or a Marlin model 60.
If they don't seem to mind a little recoil, a Marlin model 336, a .410 shotgun, or an AR are always fun.
If they're patient, a muzzleloader is a hoot, and you can load it very lightly.