My wife has expressed interest in learning to shoot a pistol and I want to include my 15 yr old daughter in this as well. I admit when it comes to hand guns I am challenged and need advice. My wife does no shooting or hunting so she is truly a �green horn�. My daughter shoots rifles very well and hunts when she can but has no experience with hand guns. I was thinking of getting them a quality .22LR to learn on then move them up to something a little bigger for personal protection once they are confident in their shooting ability. What .22�s should I look at and then what should they graduate too?

any .22 revolver would work fine,S&W,Ruger,Taurus.have them handle them and see what fits thier hands.

C_ROY;

.32H&R Magnum.

Here's why:

You start with the .32S&Ws. They are quieter and recoil less than even the .22LRs. Seriously.

Then, you move up the power scale once they've gotten the hang of the trigger, sights, etc., and know that the revolver won't hurt them... to the .32S&W Longs. A bit more report, and just enough going on in their hands to let them know it's there. Easy step up, and a fun one.

Then, once they've gotten that, go to the .32H&R Magnums. About .38Spcl report and recoil, so they know it's something a good bit more powerful, but in the same revolver they're used to so they transition smoothly.

I used exactly that progression for my wife, and it worked like a charm.

Where in NC are you, again?

What ADK4Rick said. While it is possible to start someone like that out with a good, say .357, using the mildest wadcutters, a good .22 is never a mistake. In the end, they will shoot it more simply due to the cheap and plentiful ammo available. And that's what makes a good pistol shot, lots of practice. E

Guys I was thinking a semi-auto would be the way to go since these types of handguns seem so popular. I was looking at the pink digital camo Walther P-22. Why the revolver recommendation?

Thanks

Revolvers are just about indestructible; jams are nearly unheard of; ammunition sensitivity is nil; practicality is very high.

It's the most basic of basics to learn on; from there you can go to the semi-autos, but simplicity in training is key, and the revolver has it all over the semis in simplicity.

+1 what VA said,learn to walk before you run.

The new hammerli trailslide,best $400 22 pistol hands down.You cant beat it for twice the price.the barrel & the frame are one piece.Get one befor they go way up.

Even with proper instruction, after a good shot newbies sometimes like to turn around excitedly with firearm in hand, finger on trigger, saying, "look, I hit it! I hit it!" Not good under any circumstances but worse when they are holding a semi-auto with a 4 pound pull that they forgot reloaded itself automatically. Semi-autos also lend themselves to impatience (or more fun) and snapping out multiple shots instead of carefully aimed ones.

Not a criticism of the particular folks involved but just a general observation of teaching people to shoot.

Now you could always load the semi-auto one round at a time, that would be a viable option.

VA has it nailed IMHO and the .32 H&R will make a decent SD piece once mastered.

Check with the ladies first. My wife won't shoot a semi-auto. Why not? Because she's a woman and doesn't really need a better reason. But she's not afraid of revolvers at all.

Not saying this will apply to your wife & daughter but it might save you some trouble by just keeping them apprised of what you're thinking along the way.

C ROY

I have a SIG P220 Single Action in 22LR. A standard size semiauto to practice on and train with. It cost $500.

For an additional $400 SIG will send me drop in parts kit to covert it to .45 ACP.

So for $900 I can shot either caliber. I think of it as owning two SIGs for $900.

Based on over 30 years of experience as a police and civilian firearms instructor, my recommendation is to take them to a well stocked gun shop and let them handle various sizes and types of handguns to see what they like, and what they can handle.

I've seen quite a few women struggling with handguns that their significant others thought were ideal for them...but if she can't pull back the slide with authority and confidence or handle the recoil, she shouldn't be using that 1911 .45 with +P ammo that Hubby thought would be perfect. They usually end up finishing the class with a S&W .22 revolver that I always bring just for such occasions.

If I were the sales clerk, I would try to guide them towards something like a 3" S&W J-Frame DA revolver in .22 LR (a "Kit Gun") and/or the same thing in .357 Mag., with the idea of using .38 Spl. ammo.

As long as it is a choice that makes reasonable sense from the standpoint of safety, ergonomics and functionality, it is much better to let them pick the weapon. Even if the only reason they choose it is because it is "cute", they are more likely to take ownership and participate wholeheartedly in the process if they had a voice in selecting the handgun.

An S&W K-Frame .22 followed by an S&W K-Frame .38 Special. The .38 gives you a big range of options from target wadcutters for low recoil practice, up to very hot Buffalo Bore self defense loads, and everything in between. If it's for home defense, and not carry, lean towards a four inch barrel. Improves shootability and power.

Revolvers are super simple to operate. When the SHTF, you want something that's easy to operate at every level. That's the beauty of the double action revolver. If your wife and daughter were gun nuts, and just loved to shoot and fool with guns, then I'd say you could look into the semiauto of your choice. Otherwise it's the revolver, hands down. When it comes to life saving equipment, you want to KISS (keep it simple, stupid). That's because your IQ tends to dramatically drop when you're confronted with a sudden life threatening situation and you make mistakes that you would never make in practice. Therefore you want to minimize the range of possible mistakes. The double action revolver does just that.

Agree with the Smith K frame 22 followed with the Smith K frame 38spl. That is the route I took with both my girls and it worked out quite well. Semi auto's can be complicated and, at times, finiky. Simple is good.

What is the difference between a "K" frame & a "J" frame S&W?

a K frame is a medium and a J is a small frame

I've been carrying concealed and shooting handguns of all types for over 30 years. In my judgment, the J-Frame is an expert's gun. Most people seem to intuit that, "Since this person has a very small amount of experience with handguns, he/she needs a very small revolver." This thinking doesn't stand up to a moment's clear headed scrutiny. Let me repeat: A J-Frame is an expert's gun. Not easy to shoot under the most favorable of circumstances. The ideal frame size for a combat revolver is the S&W K-Frame. J-Frames are cute to look at and hold, and are easy to carry, but they are a bitch to master. If you're buying a handgun for a novice who's not already a gun nut, the last revolver you want to introduce them to is a J-Frame S&W ... that is, unless it's a .22 Kit Gun. Those are awesome, but they too are special purpose guns.

Ruger Mk II...........get a trigger job done on it & it'll be perfect for what you want.

The rimfire ammo is way easier to find & cheaper to buy than any centerfire stuff.

Or there was a nice Hi-Standard for sale recently in the classifieds but that'll be more $$$$.

MM

I agree with starting with a 22 K-frame size revolver, because it's SIMPLE. 22s are relatively quiet, no recoil so it doesn't upset the new shooter. Revolvers - easy to see when it's loaded, easy to see when it's unloaded - just open the cylinder. K-frame (or Colt Police Positive Special size) - not too light, not too heavy (either extreme makes it harder to hold steady on target). Excellent single-action trigger pull, excellent double action trigger pull. Easy to load and unload. No worries about whether there's a round hidden in the chamber as with an autoloader. No concerns about jacking the slide back to load or unload. Unloading an autoloader you have to remember to remove the magazine BEFORE you jack the slide to unload the round in the chamber. Do it the wrong way around (jack the slide before removing the mag) and you have a loaded gun that you may not realize is loaded - bad juju! After the revolver fires, you don't immediately have a light single action pull that's dangerous if an untrained shooter waves the gun around unintentionally. IMHO an autoloader is for someone who is interested in shooting regularly so the "manual of arms" is, or becomes, automatic. If they develop the interest, plenty of time to shop for a semi-auto, but even then the revolver is a nice gun to have, and plenty of fun to shoot. They may not even want to move on to a semi-auto.

I also agree with teaching both ladies on a .22 revolver! Then move up to the .38-spl (light loads) revolver, this is how my wife and daughter learned at first some years ago. Then wife stopped shooting and pistol stayed in safe. Now 10 years later she wants her CCW permit and we started all over again.

My daughter now has one of the airweight's Smith & Wessons. My wife went through several calibers and makes of pistols during last year after getting her CCW permit. Started with the .22-LR and protressed onward to the .308-auto, 9mm Luger and now shoots a Glock model 27 sub-compact in .40 cal. as her CCW permit pistol. It took her over 5,000 rounds to accomplish these moves over the course of a year. It does take time and good practice sessions.

Without reading the whole thread...pardon me if this has already been said or if you've already got a gun. One of the best handguns ever made is the Smith model 17, K-22. That's what I'd get. I'd look for a used model in excellent shape. Just a personal preference, but I'd first look for either a blued/walnut model before they put the lock on it or a 617 (stainless) also before the lock. The 617 might have to have rubber grips or big, funky Goncalo Alves. Replacing the grips with something more manageable for smaller hands is easy.

My second choice would be either a model 63 Smith and Wesson "Kit Gun" pre-lock, or a Ruger Single Six, preferably in stainless.

So one of these would work?

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/..._757767_757751_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/..._757767_757751_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y

Forget about anything S&W is currently making. You want to only buy pre-1980 S&W revolvers. Get yourself a nice condition pre-1980 Model 18 and a nice condition pre-1980 Model 15. Much less money, and much better guns all around (and no key lock in the frame). I've got one of each. You won't be disappointed. Take a look at these two: Model 18 and Model 15

How big are their hands? The square butt guns are not as comfortable to me as the round butt guns, and the J frame guns have smaller grips. Considering that you are looking at a .22, I would consider something like this:

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/..._757767_757751_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y

By the way, buy used and save a lot of money.

Over the last 15 years, the only revolvers I have carried on a regular basis have been J frame Smiths and the Ruger SP101.

Man, I can't believe anybody would pay that kind of money for a .22 especially one of the key lock smiths.

The 617 would work but IMO is way overpriced. I can't help but think you could get one much cheaper. Perhaps not.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=177962904

For the 38 a a S&W Model 10 is not a bad way to go either

I also agree with the K frame 22 and 38. They are quality guns and accurate. I have a K22 and K38 target Masterpiece for my son and daughter to learn with.


ddj

Excellent way to go, and lots of them in great condition out there at very reasonable prices. The men who carried them in police service are dying off and their widows and/or sons, are putting them up for sale all across the country, which is the only reason they are so reasonably priced. If they were only available new today (built like they were back then), they'd be selling for over a thousand dollars each. You can pick up very nice ones (pre-1980) for less than $500.00. If you don't mind a slightly worn finish, you can get a perfectly serviceable one for less than $400.00.

If when looking for a used Mod 10, don't turn down the Colt Police Positive.

The Ruger .327 DA revolver will shoot all of the .32's mentioned and the newer .327Fed that is just under a .357Mag.

I would think that a double action revolver would be the best. Even in a .22. I agree that "too little guns" are for experts. Good luck.

Go with a .22 unless someone else is paying for your ammo as centerfire ammo is around 10X the price of rimfire ammo. Two individuals who are serious about becomming good shots can go through a large quantity of ammo in a years time. Low recoil and noise are two great helps.

I say go with a Ruger Mk II or MK III and they are about half the price of many of the handguns alread recommended here, you can get one for the wife and daughter. Nothing like having YOUR very own gun.

You can load the Ruger as a single shot through the mag initially and it will help with fimiliarity of the controls and gun handling.

The Ruger autos are tough and you cannot wear one out.

I think it is great that you have two family members who are interested in taking up handgun shooting. It's something that can easily become a life long interest.

I think the Police Positive is a neat little .38, but they don't shoot double action nearly as well as an S&W K-Frame. Now, an Official Police can be a really nice double action shooter. Especially with a little work, or a well worn in action.

A basic blued and tapered barrel 'new' Ruger Mark III is fairly inexpensive and IMO- just about the most dependable and accurate .22 lr pistol available.

If your wife or daughter plans on 'carrying' the pistol, then the smaller Walther P-22 may be a good choice ...

Or a Beretta 21-A Bobcat .22 lr, with the 'tip-barrel' feature that eliminates the need to having to manipulate the slide in order to chamber, or un-chamber a live round.

Whether ones "1st Handgun" is a revolver (as is often recommended) OR, a semi-auto pistol, a responsible person young or old, only has that 'one' firearm to learn and fully comprehend all of its mechanical functions; and to safely handle and shoot that handgun.

Also learning, understanding, and practicing ALL of the basic Rules Of Gun-Handling Safety.

+1

Absolute truth spoken here!

My wife loves a Ruger 22, but when there is a jam, she gets lost on clearing the weapon. She loves the S&W and Taurus 38's with a 3" and 4" barrel, 2.9g of Bullseye with a 148g Wad cutter is about like a 22rimfire(she says).

She has no problems with a 125g HP at 1000 fps out of the 38 special, 3" and 4". With the same load in a Model 60 with 2" barrel, I'm afraid all she could do is scare the bad guy.

a ruger blackhawk 22 single action

As posted several times, a K22 is an excellent starter gun. There is no downside to this one. Find a nice older one, it shouldn't be very expensive. Even if the Wife & Daughter decide they don't want to shoot. You have a nice pistol for plinking.