Best .22lr pistol for kids to learn on.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Best .22lr pistol for kids to learn on.

Posted: 7/2/2017 8:27:55 PM EDT

Handled one of the Heritage Rough Rider single actions. Seemed heavy, bulky.

The SR22 looks like it might be good. Fit in my eight year olds hand fairly well.

Are there any other options to consider? LCR with compact grips, maybe?

Posted: 7/2/2017 8:33:25 PM EDT

[#1]

In the same boat, and I keep coming back to the 22/45 or MKIV

Posted: 7/2/2017 8:33:50 PM EDT

[#2]

Ruger Light, suppressed.

Posted: 7/2/2017 8:34:05 PM EDT

[#3]

Revolver maybe?

Posted: 7/2/2017 8:34:52 PM EDT

[#4]

I took my 10yo grandson out today. The really liked my Walther P22 and liked it even more when I threaded on the suppressor.

Posted: 7/2/2017 8:34:54 PM EDT

[#5]

Ruger mkIV lite

Posted: 7/2/2017 8:34:55 PM EDT

[#6]

SR-22 + can

Posted: 7/2/2017 8:38:25 PM EDT

[#7]

Something not semi auto. They should learn shooting discipline and safety before they get a self loader.

My 9 year old nephew wants to get to the bottom of the magazine right away. Bolt action or revolver should be the first step. Then semi.

Heritage revolver sounds like a good first gun.

Posted: 7/2/2017 8:38:52 PM EDT

[#8]

I was in the same boat several years ago. I bought the Heritage revolver and a SR22.

My son loved the Heritage and to this day says it's one of his favorite guns.
Can't explain why he would love a single action .22 revolver over a semi-auto plinker but he does.

So the definitive answer is... get both! Both are great beginner guns.

Posted: 7/2/2017 8:39:52 PM EDT

[#9]

Buckmark. Have had mine since I was 10 and it is still my favorite pistol.

Posted: 7/2/2017 8:40:31 PM EDT

[#10]

Quote History

Quoted:
I took my 10yo grandson out today. The really liked my Walther P22 and liked it even more when I threaded on the suppressor.

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My wife has 1 of these. Fits kids hands pretty well.

And they love it with a can on it.

Posted: 7/2/2017 8:41:49 PM EDT

[#11]

i got an SR22 for my little guy.... but he likes his 22 rifle better LOL.... it is still a little heavy and big for him, but he is 7 & 45 lbs, so he is a little dude yet.....

Posted: 7/2/2017 8:42:02 PM EDT

[#12]

Attached File

Posted: 7/2/2017 8:42:41 PM EDT

[#13]

Quote History

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https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/137867/HaloMfgGAU-22minigun3-244495.JPG

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Thats precious!

Posted: 7/2/2017 8:49:26 PM EDT

[#14]

A Ruger Bearcat is a nice step up from the Heritage if you want a single action. Smaller than the Heritage or the Single Six

Posted: 7/2/2017 8:53:11 PM EDT

[#15]

I got my 11yo an M&P 22c. It's a fun little gun to shoot and never a problem out of it.

Posted: 7/2/2017 8:54:25 PM EDT

[#16]

Something like a Ruger single six/ten. Teach them safety, then move onto the basics of how firearms work. This is easier with the Ruger because it has more steps before it can be fired, which shows off how guns work also, and it is big enough to grab and control if they start to do something unsafe.

Whatever you pick, don't forget to make it enjoyable too. For you and the kid. Also just be glad you didn't have to do this during the panic.

Posted: 7/2/2017 8:56:42 PM EDT

[#17]

M&P 22c - Fun for adults too

Posted: 7/2/2017 8:58:37 PM EDT

[#18]

I've taught 3 grandchildren to shoot so far; 2 little ones left to go.

They seem to enjoy first shooting either a Ruger Single Six or 45 22 light.

Whenever I move them on to a new semi automatic, I only load 1 round to get them accustomed to what the can expect since I don't want them startled with a full magazine in the gun.

As they become comfortable, I slowly increase the number of rounds in the magazine, usually ending with 6.

then I teach them to load the magazines and the handgun.

Lots of folks believe they should be reaching small kids with .22s only.

I move them up to 9mm and .45ACP on their first range day and it's worked out well.

None of my grandkids have the slightest flinch.

Here's one of my little guys shooting my 9mm SIG X-Five Classic at Shoot Straight last Friday, and blowing the center out of his target.

He likes my .45 ACP P220 Super Target best.

I wish I could post videos, he has absolutely no flinch.

Attached File

Posted: 7/2/2017 8:59:43 PM EDT

[#19]

Yeah, not semi-auto, and make him do some chores for a box of ammo :D

Posted: 7/2/2017 9:00:22 PM EDT

[#20]

I taught mine on my MKII 22/45, worked well for that.

Posted: 7/2/2017 9:02:44 PM EDT

[#21]

Quote History

Quoted:
In the same boat, and I keep coming back to the 22/45 or MKIV

View Quote

I like and recommend the mark 3 22/45 with heavy barrel threaded. Cheap and accurate guns.

Coupled with a can they are great.

Be warned though, they are a mother to reassemble after cleaning. I always forget how to do it since I do it so rarely...

Posted: 7/2/2017 9:02:48 PM EDT

[#22]

If you want to spend the money, Ruger Bearcat. Much less bulky, grip is nice and small(easy for a kid to hold) while not being so small it's hard for an adult to hold. Cock hammer, pull trigger. No heavy double action pull, no slide to rack.

If the kids you want to teach are anything like my daughter, no ejection is a plus. Just started teaching her to shoot, she won't shoot my .22 1911 because she's scared of the empties flying out.

Not a problem, she loves her Cricket and shoots it well-I'll get a Bearcat eventually.

Posted: 7/2/2017 9:03:27 PM EDT

[#23]

I bought a Ruger MK IV 22/45 Lite for my son. Also bought him a Cricket and some CCI .22LR Quiet ammo.

He still doesn't care about firearms really, more into bows and swords. Where did I go wrong?

Posted: 7/2/2017 9:09:59 PM EDT

[#24]

S&W 2213

Posted: 7/2/2017 11:06:56 PM EDT

[#25]

Quote History

Quoted:
Something like a Ruger single six/ten. Teach them safety, then move onto the basics of how firearms work. This is easier with the Ruger because it has more steps before it can be fired, which shows off how guns work also, and it is big enough to grab and control if they start to do something unsafe.

Whatever you pick, don't forget to make it enjoyable too. For you and the kid. Also just be glad you didn't have to do this during the panic.

View Quote

OP said the Heritage seemed heavy/bulky. Single Six is slightly larger yet. That's why I suggested the Bearcat-good bit smaller

Posted: 7/2/2017 11:09:47 PM EDT

[#26]

My P-22 is garbage. Cannot recommend.

Posted: 7/2/2017 11:10:41 PM EDT

[#27]

Quote History

Quoted:
Buckmark. Have had mine since I was 10 and it is still my favorite pistol.

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Came in to post that^

For the young'ens, I only let them load four or five rounds into each magazine.
It makes for more 'worth while' practice.

Of course, the occasional full-mag dump is fun as well

Posted: 7/2/2017 11:13:00 PM EDT

[#28]

Quote History

Quoted:
My P-22 is garbage. Cannot recommend.

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Mine was great. Use good ammo. Good grip for a kid.

Posted: 7/2/2017 11:15:58 PM EDT

[#29]

Quote History

Quoted:
Mine was great. Use good ammo. Good grip for a kid.

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View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
My P-22 is garbage. Cannot recommend.

Mine was great. Use good ammo. Good grip for a kid.

Stovepipes, FTFs, slide locks back 5% of the time. I tried using good ammo exclusively - then I realized that if it can't eat everything I don't want it

Posted: 7/2/2017 11:16:19 PM EDT

[#30]

Bearcat.

Posted: 7/2/2017 11:17:00 PM EDT

[#31]

Quote History

Quoted:
Something not semi auto. They should learn shooting discipline and safety before they get a self loader.

My 9 year old nephew wants to get to the bottom of the magazine right away. Bolt action or revolver should be the first step. Then semi.

Heritage revolver sounds like a good first gun.

View Quote

I take my nephew shooting from time to time. He likes one of my 10/22s with 25rd mags. Ive heard the whole one shot discipline thing before and I dont have an opinion on it. I let my nephew shoot what he likes because I figure getting him interested in shooting and him having fun is more important.

Posted: 7/2/2017 11:17:52 PM EDT

[#32]

I have been using a loaned SW 622 with a can for newbies, adults so far. the various Ruger MkXX and SR 22 I have are all fine shooters, but the MKs heavy for some females.. They all panned the single six after one cylinder, but really liked the 622. I must have 15 22 handguns here now and that is getting the most attention.

Posted: 7/2/2017 11:21:06 PM EDT

[#33]

Quote History

Quoted:
SR-22 + can

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Just bought an SR-22 earlier this week with my kid in mind.

Posted: 7/2/2017 11:21:57 PM EDT

[#34]

Glock 19 + Advantage Arms .22lr conversion kit w/ threaded barrel + suppressor.

Easy to teach how to load and operate. Easy on the ears. Low recoil and muzzle blast. Straightforward conversion to a centerfire caliber with the same manual of arms and trigger pull as what they learned on.

Posted: 7/2/2017 11:23:42 PM EDT

[#35]

An auto that might be just the size for young kids is the Browning mini 1911 in .22-I want one but haven't talked to anyone who's actually shot one. Would really like to shoot one first before spending the money.