.22LR Pistol v Revolver??

B

Big Dog

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I am thinking of getting a .22LR as a wee training gun for my kids. I have also considered a .32 cal.

What do you think would be best for kids 11 up 14 yrs - pistol or revolver??

What model would be good without breaking the bank??

Thanks
 
Aother contender is the Heritage Rough Rider, which is available for less than $200. These guns get pretty decent reviews, and although they're not as pretty or long-lasting as a Ruger, they're a good deal cheaper.

If you get the Rough Rider, IMHO you should pay the extra $40-$60 and get the adjustable-sight version. The fixed sights on the basic models are faithful to old-style Western revolvers to a fault- i.e. they're so small that they're darned near impossible to see. :rolleyes:

FWIW I wouldn't get a .32 if you want something that's cheap to shoot. Ammo in .32 ACP and .32 S&W Long has become somewhat of a specialty item, and is harder to find and generally more expensive than larger but more commonplace centerfire calibers such as 9mm Luger or .38 Special. Furthermore, most inexpensive .32 ACP semis are inaccurate potmetal garbage. :(
 
+1 on the Bearcat. Guns that fit kids are important. Both of my kids learn to shoot handguns with a Bearcat revolver and long guns with a Chipmunk rifle.

Now that they are grown, I have a couple great little kit gun, that await my grandkids.

Both of those firearms represent money very well invested.
 
A Single Six is cheaper

Agreed, it needs to be a wheel gun because of the simplicity and the ease of teaching gun safety.

While I do agree with, in concept, trying to find a Ruger Bearcat because of the size of the frame, good like with that.

I just completed the very same search. In short, every Bearcat I found was stupid money (expensive). I lookes about six or seven Bearcat's with the cheapest being over $425.

I ended up with a used Ruger Single Six for less than $300.

It seems that Bearcats are collectors and Single Six's are shooters.

Good luck on the hunt. Remember that time spent with the kids is never lost and that you are teaching important skills.

Let us know what you do.

Merry Christmas,

Craig
 
I think Taurus makes a 7 shot .22 DA/SA revolver. Single-Sixes are big money up here, but they are cool, and you can get a .22mag cylinder too.

If you want something really special, look for a K-22. My buddy found a K22 masterpiece for a song (he lucked out though. They're EXPENSIVE). Even a slughead like me can hit bullseyes at 25 yards with it. Grips are kinda big though.

You'd think there would be more selection for .22LR revolvers. Lots of money to be made in that market I think.
 
I would get a .22 double action revolver, preferably a SW K-frame. There's no better way to learn trigger control than with a double action revolver. If you learn solely on a single action system, you'll get spoiled for a light trigger pull. It happens to me even at a range session. If I start shooting with a crisp, single action trigger before shooting double action, it makes the DA feel twice as heavy.

You just can't go wrong with a SW .22 K-frame.
 
Sense you mentioned it as a training aid i assume bang for the buck is a consideration . I am not a fan of single action revolvers , but i find myself reccomending a single six or " super " single six for this roll . Good sights , Good easy range officer safety ( paint the hammer(s) if needed . ) and you can bump up to .22 mag for " your " use if needed . The fairly large frame soaks up what recoil the .22 has and the little ones can easily concentrate on the fundimentals .
 
22 is good if you have people in your house that
Are not skilled shooting guns with much recoil also
For the range since ammo is cheap. Go with a nice
38 or 357 revolver practice with it and you should be set.
 
Neither

I suggest a rifle first. After proving maturity with a rifle then they can be taught handguns. It's too easy to point a handgun at your foot and other inappropriate targets. Make them earn it. Firearms, like cars require a disciplined mind to be safe as well as proficient. Even a piano requires a lot of discipline yet they aren't as dangerous when handled incorrectly. I had to earn my first .22 and wait 'til I was 16. After an accident hindsight is 20-20.
 
My experience with 22lr revolvers has been that unless you spend a lot of money, they are generally inaccurate. The Ruger single six has absurd barrel specs, because it's designed not to be target accurate, but, to be a 22 mag/22lr convertible. The joy of 22lr is hitting what you aim at, and, small groups. I find it hard to find a 22lr revolver that doesn't cost a LOT of money, that is accurate enough to keep me happy.

Semi-auto 22lrs on the otherhand, can be setup with target triggers, and, be very accurate, for less money.

As for kids with them, that's going to be your choice, since you know your kids.

Rifles are a great idea, and, a bolt action CZ 452, some of the Russian target 22lr rifles, savages, can all be had for around 300 or less.

I can't say how disheartening it is when I bought a S&@ 63, and, it shot very poorly. My Colt Trooper Mark III was a bit better, but, still not what I wanted. Something about with a great trigger, a revolver should shoot one hole at 15-25 yards, in 22lr....
 
I can't say how disheartening it is when I bought a S&@ 63, and, it shot very poorly.
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I can understand that but I don't think anybody should think of a J-frame as anything but a plinker or the proverbial kit gun, something to throw into a tackle box or the bottom of a back pack. That's why I suggest a K-frame revolver. BTW, I have a Ruger Mark II and it is the most accurate .22 handgun I have. The OP wanted a gun to train new shooters and, as I previously mentioned, there's no better way to learn trigger control than shooting some double action.
 
H&R....

For a child's first gun, how about a DA H&R 929 revolver? They hold nine rounds and just work & work. Online, they usually go for $100 up to maybe $150 for a minty nice one. I recently got a 6" one for $92 and another 4" one for $55 (total!)

If they scratch it up or something, it won't be a big deal. Plus, they're very robust, reliable revolvers.
 
I agree with KyJim. I have a S&W617, a K frame double action, with a 4 in barrel and a 10 round cyclinder. It is an excellent gun for the range, and the ideal "survival" gun if you ever need it (if you ever need to survive in the wild, you are pretty limited to small game if all you have is a handgun, and anything of a large caliber destroys the food you hope to eat). For the kids, this type revolver is heavy and solid enough to give them the feel of a "real" gun.
 
The OP wanted a gun to train new shooters and, as I previously mentioned, there's no better way to learn trigger control than shooting some double action.
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There is nothing as frustrating as missing a barn, due to a 16 pound S&@ double action trigger pull, on a 20 oz revolver...
 
My 14 y/o went to the range with me last week and simply had a ball with a Browning Buckmark camper that I bought a couple of weeks back.

So it gets my vote. ;)
 
I feel, for a child just learning to shoot a revolver is in order simply because there is a visible hammer for safety.

And yes, a revolver is a pistol.
 
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