Need a gun for my daughter...

Boomer454

Boomer454

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So my daughter (11 years old) wants to start shooting our local competitions with me.
We do IPSC style shoots at our local range, and have three a year.
I have a pair of Kimbers, one in 9mm and one in .45 auto. As well as a .357 Black Hawk, and several .22's.

What I am looking for is something in an auto pistol between the 9mm and .22lr (she shoots the .22's pretty well) the that she can use to work up to the recoil of a 9mm. The kicker is that I am not 12.6, so a .32 or something like that is out.

Anyone have a suggestion of a good pistol/cartridge combo for her?

Or for the money should I invest in a compensator for the 9mm Kimber?
 
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The problem with a 9mm semi loaded down is that it will not reliably cycle the slide; you can use a reduced power recoil spring as long as you remember not to use full power loads in it without swapping the springs out.

What about letting her use the Blackhawk with a downloaded 38 Special load? I have a 158 grain lead load that I shoot in my S&W 28 that recoils a little bit more than the 22 I used to have. You could aslo try picking up a K frame Smith; it would be easier for her to handle and still quite light on the recoil with a 148 grain wadcutter load.
 
The other option would be to work up a puff load in 9mm and lighten the recoil spring to allow it to function reliably. Then you can convert back and still use the same gun. A modern +4" 380 is rare.
 
Boomer454 said:
So my daughter (11 years old) wants to start shooting our local competitions with me.
We do IPSC style shoots at our local range, and have three a year.
I have a pair of Kimbers, one in 9mm and one in .45 auto.
Anyone have a suggestion of a good pistol/cartridge combo
for her?

Or for the money should I invest in a compensator for the 9mm Kimber?
Click to expand...

If you have the flat backstrap and short trigger, the Kimber will very likely fit her hand already. That in itself is half the battle.

If the gun fits her, see about loading her ammo down just a bit. My suggestion is to,

1) Get an 11-12lb recoil spring and a thin shock buffer
2) Load 147gr bullets around 750-800fps.
3) Get her to wear both foam plugs and good earmuffs.

With a good grip, a good stance, good sound protection, and moderate recoil, my guess is she will do fine. Once she's got a season or so of practice under her belt, standard ammo and springs are an easy swap.
 
Mouse fart 9mm. Try 3.7 grains of 231 with a 125 grain cast lead bullet. Very impressive accuracy and light on the recoil. One note is that due to the properties of 231, on hot days (30 + degree heat) it may not generate a sufficient recoil impulse to cycle reliably with a typical factory recoil spring.
 
Subjectively, the difference in the recoil of CCI Stingers (in a .22LR-chambered aluminum alloy 1911 top end) and light-loaded 9x19mm (in a steel-framed 1911) is no difference at all.
 
My son is 14 and getting into IPSC, I just purchased a S&W M&P. The guns is well made, has a host of reasonable safety features, and at $599 with 2 mags is hard to beat. It comes with 3 backstraps to adjust the grip for hands of different size.

I purchsed it in 40, as he is actually taller than me, and I think if I work up loads he will soon learn to manage the recoil. If I was getting one for someone smaller I might go with 9mm and load the rounds a bit soft as was recommended by others
 
My kids started with various 22's.

When my daughters were in their early teens they were using a Baby Eagle in 9mm with light loads. (just enough to cycle reliably). It was very easy for them to control because of the weight up front, but then again, the weight made it harder for them to hold it up for long periods.....

Also, the double action trigger pull was a bit long for them, but single action was no problem.

I would also consider the M&P. However it wasn't available for my kids when they started shooting handgun but I did consider the Steyr M-1A at the time. They didn't like the Glock as it felt a bit "chunky" in their hands.

The girls also liked the feel of a Browning HP as it has a small grip.

Unless she is quite strong, she may have trouble racking the slide.

The other thing you should get is an UPLULA or similar magazine loader. The kids don't have the strength in their fingers to load more than a mag or 2.
 
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SandRoad said:
My kids started with various 22's.

When my daughters were in their early teens they were using a Baby Eagle in 9mm with light loads. (just enough to cycle reliably). It was very easy for them to control because of the weight up front, but then again, the weight made it harder for them to hold it up for long periods.....

Also, the double action trigger pull was a bit long for them, but single action was no problem.

I would also consider the M&P. However it wasn't available for my kids when they started shooting handgun but I did consider the Steyr M-1A at the time. They didn't like the Glock as it felt a bit "chunky" in their hands.

The girls also liked the feel of a Browning HP as it has a small grip.

Unless she is quite strong, she may have trouble racking the slide.

The other thing you should get is an UPLULA or similar magazine loader. The kids don't have the strength in their fingers to load more than a mag or 2.[/QUOTE]

Thats what Dad's for. ;)
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get a "real pistol" looking .22 and all the nessicary gear for competition. gives you two options

1)have her shoot matches with you. no she doesnt get points or a "Real" score but who cares, its fun and good practice
2)if the local club wont let you do it, you can always set up your own on other days and run her through those

i plan or grabbing a sig in .22, not only for myself but so my gf can compete with it and learn the basics without the recoil issues, step her up to a bigger sig when she is comfy and doing well with the .22
 
I have a Star Model FR in 22 LR. This is often the loaner gun for novice shooters under very close supervision.
When my daughters, and nephew, first started shooting at age 13 or so, all disliked the weight of my superbly accurate, Ruger Mk II, 5.5 inch bull barrel.
They both really liked the lighter Star, although spare mags can be had sometimes, spare parts are a 'rare' commodity in Canada.

So far, no feed problems with most ammo, got to keep it clean though.(maximum 300 rds)
When adequately cared for, it functions 110%.
Mine is the shortest 4 1/4 inch, with sights one must beat over to adjust the rear sight.
I see the longer barrelled Star F series, often have an adjustable rear sight.

Another good training point, is the safety/slide release/mag release, are in the same spot as a Colt 1911, or Browning HP.

It's just not a Ruger bull barrel for accuracy, but the new shooters at 10 yards care not, so neither do I.
Plus I notice, these can be had in Canada, often for less than 300 bucks.
Not a bad investment, considering all the newer alloy junk out there. (yes its all steel construction)

PS: There is one for sale on this forum's EE, as of today.
EDIT: I forgot to say, these magazines are by far the easiest for younger fingers to load bullets into.
 
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Max Owner said:
Thats what Dad's for. ;)
Click to expand...

Yep, it has been Dad's job for a long time. We don't have a loader (yet) for centrefire. My thumb gets sore when we take our 3 plus one of their friends to the range. :runaway:

The only magloader we have is an Ultimate Cliploader for the Ruger MKII. Good thing too, because we often go through a brick of 22's :D


Brutus said:
I have a Star Model FR in 22 LR. This is often the loaner gun for novice shooters under very close supervision.
When my daughters, and nephew, first started shooting at age 13 or so, all disliked the weight of my superbly accurate, Ruger Mk II, 5.5 inch bull barrel.
They both really liked the lighter Star, although spare mags can be had sometimes, spare parts are a 'rare' commodity in Canada.

So far, no feed problems with most ammo, got to keep it clean though.(maximum 300 rds)
When adequately cared for, it functions 110%.
Mine is the shortest 4 1/4 inch, with sights one must beat over to adjust the rear sight.
I see the longer barrelled Star F series, often have an adjustable rear sight.

Another good training point, is the safety/slide release/mag release, are in the same spot as a Colt 1911, or Browning HP.

It's just not a Ruger bull barrel for accuracy, but the new shooters at 10 yards care not, so neither do I.
Plus I notice, these can be had in Canada, often for less than 300 bucks.
Not a bad investment, considering all the newer alloy junk out there. (yes its all steel construction)

PS: There is one for sale on this forum's EE, as of today.
EDIT: I forgot to say, these magazines are by far the easiest for younger fingers to load bullets into.
Click to expand...

Your post reminded me that my dad had a 6" Star FR. I remember it was fun to shoot because, as you said, it was light and and it also had a small grip. I'll have to see if he still has it, since it would be a great gun for all our nieces and nephews.
 
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No offence intended Starscream, but there is nothing in this world more visually criminal, than seeing a Walther PPK, or a S&W 39, with an ugly extended bare barrel!

I'd rather look high and low for a Cheetah, with the hinged barrel.
 
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