.22 Pistol for Kids

[crazypopie1]

I am looking to get a pistol (semi) that I can use to teach my young kids to shoot with, ages 7 (boy) & 8(girl). With all the gun falling off the foster quickly I feel that I can't wait much longer. I have been looking at the following:

1. Riger Mark III Target: excellent reviews but heavy at 42 oz
2. M&P 22: < 25 oz., mixed reviews most people say they are junk.
3. Sig Mosquito: < 25 oz., mixed reviews most people say they are junk.
4. Sig 1911-22: ~34oz, reviews seem ok.

I have read the #2 & #3 are made by GSG and relabeled.

I have 2 concerns, the first being the weight and the second being will the kids be able to reach the trigger. I want to buy a gun that the whole family can use and will not be out grown. With that said have any of you guys taught kids to shoot? what did you use? Any gun recommendations?

[1badjack68]

The sig . I love my sig it's 80% of a full size and it shoots great. People give it a bad rep because you have to put at least 50 rounds of cci through it to break it in . Or just good .22 ammo. A lot of people don't realize that it comes with a softer spring for just this reason. The safety is great on it as well. And you can pick a used one up for around 250 if you look around. I have big hands and it feels great, my 11 year old daughter love's it so much I'm getting her a pink one lol. But go to your local range and rent one. Every one has a favorite but it's always best to see for yourself.

[mnichols]

Im faced with a similar choice. ive narrowed it down to the m&p, 22/45, and a browning buckmark.

Ive ruled out the mosquito due to so many reports of it being picky with ammo.

Im not a big 1911 fan, so im not looking at the sig, but i hear good things about it.

I believe the m&p is made by walther, im leaning toward this also because i have the m&p 9mm full size and i think it would make an easy transition for new shooters.

Check out the buckmarks, a good alternative to the rugers, and so far staying on the roster.

Good luck

[SoCal Bob]

The good thing about a Ruger is that your kids will be handing it down to their kids. Keep an eye on the Marketplace, I just picked up a 4" Ruger 22/45 from a member.

Have you considered looking into a Ruger Bearcat or one of the Single Six variants? Having to cock the hammer each time forces them to slow down allowing you to work with them on aiming their shots.

http://www.ruger.com/products/newBearcat/models.html

http://www.ruger.com/products/newModelSingleSix/index.html

[Gem1950]

Revolver

[NorCalFocus]

I have a MkII slab side with a scope. Its my 6yo's favorite gun. I just have him shoot off of a bag.

[CSACANNONEER]

SA revolver like a Single Six or a Heritage Arms will teach them better than a semi auto. No one ever out grow a Single Six unless he/she has some stupid idea that bigger is always better. As a competitive 50BMG shooter, I still have loads of fun with all my rimfires and air guns and will never "out grow" them.

If you are in socal, think about taking your daughter and wife or GF (not both the wife and GF at the same time) to a Women On Target class at Burro. That way, they would benefit from 10-12 certified instructors helping them in a class setting geared to females only.

[44fred]

The good thing about a Ruger is that your kids will be handing it down to their kids. Keep an eye on the Marketplace, I just picked up a 4" Ruger 22/45 from a member.

Have you considered looking into a Ruger Bearcat or one of the Single Six variants? Having to cock the hammer each time forces them to slow down allowing you to work with them on aiming their shots.

http://www.ruger.com/products/newBearcat/models.html

http://www.ruger.com/products/newMod...Six/index.html

I couldn't help but think the same thing about single action.
We are raising a couple generations of spray and pray shooters. Now I'm not saying the OP is, I don't know him. We really need to slow down.
That said, if you can control your kids well enough, they will enjoy shooting a semi more than a single action revolver. Maybe look into the Browning mini 1911 22. Just about everything I've read says a quality pistol.

[seebogo]

Browning 1911-22
Fun to shoot, fits all kinds of hands.

[seebogo]

Browning 1911-22
Fun to shoot, fits all kinds of hands.

[thenodnarb]

You can still get the MKIII 22/45. its only 32 oz.
The buckmarks are supposed to be equal to the ruger MK series in both reliability and accuracy.

A DA revolver is a fine investment, but a decent one will be $500-$800. The single six is a great choice and much cheaper. Also a bit more safe for the young ones. I'd try and find an older, unconverted 2 screw model without the transfer bar for the better trigger. But the new ones are fine as well.

[duckfart]

I would look at the ruger sr22. It's a great little gun.

[cocorador]

For my 8 and 11 year olds, I purchased a used Hammerli Trailside 4 inch and a Ruger Mark III. On the hammerli, I was able to purchase a smaller grip and the ruger was actually perfect from the factory with their hands. When I shoot the ruger, I just swap out the grip to a full size.

[AR22]

SR22 would be good..

[MotoriousRacing]

Consider an air pistol. No ammo availability or cost issues. You can still teach safety and technique, AND may even be able to shoot in your own yard.

That said, I feel like I gotta pull on my SR22 until I can scratch my elbow, while my Buck Mark Micro Standard URX is smooth and accurate. I LOVE that gun.