Which .22LR pistol for kids?

[NastyNate]

I've decided that it's time to add a .22LR pistol to the collection. This will mainly be to teach my kids how to shoot on. I've been shopping around lately and have only dry fired the Sig Mosquito, Ruger SR-22, both of which I felt had horrible triggers that my girls would have a hard time pulling and breaking.

I'm just looking for a SA, DA or both, .22LR pistol with a decent trigger for middle aged girls to learn on. I know I can always do a trigger job but I would really like to just grab and go shoot with no mods required. So what pistols are your kids shooting in .22LR?

TIA,

[uxo2]

ruger MK series

[rm1911]

I started them on my ruger Mk 1. However it takes extra instruction and care for an auto. I bought my son a ruger bearcat SA. Really nice. He loves it.

Me personally I'd go with a SA revolver because a) it's super fun to shoot b) is easy to learn on c) safer d) slows down ammo consumption. Right now that's huge!!! And lastly they are super fun to shoot.

Single six would be perfect. Or a bearcat if you can find one.

[Old4eyes]

Ruger 22/45.

It has a plastic lower, which lowers the weight. For a middle age girl, the stock MK III, especially a bull barrel, might get a bit hefty. A 22/45 will be less expensive that most models of the MarkIII.

As a kid, I grew up on a Colt Huntsman. If you could find one of those, I believe it would be a good gun to train with, although I prefer the sights of the modern Ruger over my Colt.

[Chaos47]

ruger MK series

This.
With the kids in mind get the 22/45 variant to reduce weight with the polymer frame.

Recent thread along the same lines:

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=745383

If you want to go revolver on the cheap the heritage rough rider would be a good value pick. And revolvers are a good way to get them started.

[JackRydden224]

I don't have kids but whenever I bring a new shooter they always like the GSG 1911. It's just a really straight forward gun. If size is an issue maybe one of Browning's mini 1911-22s.

[Souper]

my dad got a buckmark for me to learn on. the first gun he had me shoot though was an intratec tec 22

[4DMASTR]

My son loves my (his) Mosquito. Ill second the buckmark too, damn fine little plinker

[bluedsteel]

browning buckmark. u can find them new for $350. easier to breakdown

ruger mark 3 22/45. similar grip angle to 1911. u can find them new for 300. harder to breakdown.

[javaduke]

My kids love Ruger SR22. They also tried to shoot my Mark III Competition, but it is too heavy for them (in fact, sometimes it is even too heavy for me

[usmcchet9296]

Ruger bearcat hands down the best

[MyOdessa]

I started both of my kids with Ruger Bearcat. It is a perfect handgun for smaller hands and has a good trigger. Being a SA, it is easier to teach gun handling and trigger control, then with semi-auto. When they grew older they moved to Ruger MK II, accurate, reliable and with good trigger.

Bearcat:
[/QUOTE]

[NastyNate]

Thanks for the responses guys. Keep em coming.

A bearcat is outta budget but I did find a Ruger straight six for a decent price. I was looking for a pistol that I could also train with and save on ammo costs but after reading your responses, I think the girls will be better served with a revolver. I'd rather them have a lighter, slower paced learning tool that they are comfy with weight and trigger wise, than have the utility of a training gun.

[uxo2]

ruger mk series
with a taper barrel to keep weight down

Or if your lucky.
A tacSolutions PacLite
Or ruger Lite

[NastyNate]

ruger mk series
with a taper barrel to keep weight down

Or if your lucky.
A tacSolutions PacLite
Or ruger Lite

I dig the classic look of the MK II but can't find one that is in budget ($400) and a 2lb gun seems a bit much for the girls. Upgrades overshoot budget big time.