Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Rimfires 22 pistol for kids to shoot

I have an older P22 and it was very sensitive about ammo at first. The owner's manual recommends CCI Mini-Mags only. When new it choked on Federal bulk ammo. I have had great success shooting Federal Automatch through it. As it has slicked up, it started digesting ammo that used to stove pipe in it.

Just spent the weekend with my seven year old Grandson at turkey camp.

Using my S&W 317 and Aguila Super Colibri ammo, he got very proficient with that gun by the end of weekend. The lightweight, 12 oz gun is so easy for a youngster to handle, but with the three in barrel, he was able to dial it in after about a dozen loadings. When we ran out of the Colibri ammo, he moved to standard .22 and did well with that too.

can't go wrong with a single six

I started the older two daughters out with a bull barrel Ruger Mk I. They sat at a bench and I was right behind with arms around them for safety. When they became proficient, I backed off a little, but not much. It was the only .22 that I had.

Along the way, I acquired one of the before mentioned Savage single shots. Started daughter three with that. Then moved to the Ruger. The Savage is a great starter. The oldest granddaughter is ready to start there.

If you need to go purchase new, look at the S & W 4" kit gun, the Bearcat, or a Ruger SP101 4". The second two are more friendly to wallets. The first is the Caddy and can be tuned into a Rolls. Know what? My Bearcat became really sweet with a trigger job.

Jack

Well finally have an update. Was in Cabelas today and bought a Heritage Rough Rider. Came with 22lr and 22 mag cylinders, with a 4 3/4 in barrel. Was not going to be my original purchase. But after much thought I like the idea of my girls having to take time between each shot. Gun has A good feel to it, fits well in your hand, and my daughter said "We got a cowboy gun!"

So hopefully in the next couple weeks we can make it to the range and put some rounds down range.

I've found life is a lot more fun when you walk around packing 9 1/2"s.

That's your shoe size, right?

It's the length of my barrel.

Hint.




Travis

Those are centimeters on the side of the ruler you're using.

By the way, wash that ruler before you put it back in the drawer.

The only real drawback is it constantly banging against the side of my leg when I'm hunting.




Travis

As others have stated, I started my kids out YOUNG. 4 years old with a Beretta Model 21a. Back in the day, it was just called a Model 21a. I think that they call it a Bobcat now.

As they got older, they moved up the ladder to a High Standard Supermatic Citation .22, Then to a .32 auto, then to the 6" stainless Colt .357 magnum.

Most folks control that issue by wearing pants. I suppose that's optional way out West.

In general, I'm in favor of revolvers for training new shooters, but using them introduces the potential for whoopsies while lowering the hammer. A semi-auto, single loaded to start, might be the safest option for real novices.

Like somebody said, keeping a sharp eye on the shooter at all times is crucial until muzzle awareness becomes ingrained in their brain. For some folks, apparently, that never happens. A good portion of the bozos that have violated my personal safety zone with their weaponry have been older know-it-alls.

I'm first starting the Grandkids with my Model 34 (4")

My BearCat (after modification) shoots to POA but the sights are tiny. VERY hard to hit small targets.

I have a Beretta Cheetah that's also about their size.

I have a Ruger Standard (semi-auto) with a Red Dot that I'm going to let them shoot.

I have a Model 18 (4") that the older one can handle.

If I was buying a new one I'd check out the Ruger SR-22. It's an inexpensive, small framed semi-auto.

Be Safe!!

I also have a Ruger SR 22. Excellent pistol!! After a few hundred rounds it broke in very nicely, and shoots most any ammo reliably!!

Kevlars