Recommendations for a good .22 handgun for a youngster to learn with?

[tbhupe]

Has anyone handled a Ruger Wrangler or the Bearcat? What are the grip sizes like on them? Single Action .22 might not be a bad way to go.

 

[J.Hancock]

Has anyone handled a Ruger Wrangler or the Bearcat? What are the grip sizes like on them? Single Action .22 might not be a bad way to go.

I was gonna make the same suggestion. Ive got a beater Chiappa saa .22. I plan to start my eldest out on this. Although he has already shot 556, 12g and 9mm, the lil sa .22 is gonna be his work horse until hes on par with Jerry Miculek.

 

[Auggie Doggie]

I started my niece and nephew on an S&W model 43. Only 14oz, but it is 12(6). I would #### it for them so they could fire it single action.

Auggie D.

 

[silverfoxdj]

A smaller 6 shot revolver would be my choice

 

[dan belisle]

Has anyone handled a Ruger Wrangler or the Bearcat? What are the grip sizes like on them? Single Action .22 might not be a bad way to go.

Bearcats are quite small, easy for kids to handle. I used one of those and a Colt Frontier Scout to teach my kids. Both are small and light, which is important. Also you can start them with 22 CB shells, for little noise and recoil. Next up was a J frame S&W Model 34, to teach them double action. - dan

 

[geologist]

Bearcats are quite small, easy for kids to handle. I used one of those and a Colt Frontier Scout to teach my kids. Both are small and light, which is important. Also you can start them with 22 CB shells, for little noise and recoil. Next up was a J frame S&W Model 34, to teach them double action. - dan

Lower left, the 4" S&W J frame 34-1 is smaller than the larger K frames around it.

It's coil spring DA/SA trigger is not as good as the amazing flat spring DA/SA triggers on the Ks.

 

[Wendell]

The wife and I were thinking of buying a handgun that my grandkids can begin to learn to shoot with. We already have a salvage rascal but last time at the range, my granddaughter (turning 7) wanted to shoot my Browning Buckmark but even though the hand grip is not large, it's definitely too large for a child's hands.

So, any suggestions on a small handle .22 pistol?

The Ruger New Bearcat is suitable for very small hands, and it's (slower-than-semi) pace is much better suited to teaching someone to shoot well (i.e.: every-shot-counts, vs. spray-and-pray).

 

[Wadctrshootr]

I’ll second the value of the S&W 34-1. My wife and daughter love it, particularly the way they can hit what they point at. They can regularly put 10 shots into 4” at 20 yards.

 

[ELUSIVE DONKEY]

Ruger MK4 I believe was a pretty nice gun to use and did not break the bank or so I have heard. Have not shot one myself.

 

[magicchip]

I would second the Ruger mark suggestion. Mk2, 3 or 4 would all work.

This!

 

[Ganderite]

My grandson started with a Bearcat. Well made gun that is about 5/8 size.

 

[Alchemist]

Ruger Wranglers can be had for not a lot of cash on sale! I wasn’t overly impressed when I first got mine but love it now. It’s surprisingly accurate.

 

[Meroh]

I have an ISSC m22 that my granddaughter (12) likes to shoot. Only caveat would be that some of these don’t run very reliably.

I would steer clear of these; if you get a bad one, you have a youngster struggling with jams, misfeeds and stove-pipes. My daughter was shooting proficiently with a 1970's High Standard sportsman (which I still have, and it is still stupid reliable and accurate). An old High Standard Sportsman with tapered barrel is light enough for a youngster, and the Grip on most mimics a 1911 dimensionally, and is easy enough for a young person to hold well; Colt Woodsman would be a good choice, as would be the Nork clone. Likewise a Ruger with a tapered barrel would also be a good choice. These are all reliable, and fit almost any hand.