38 snubbie for 10yr girl
- Thread starter AlexGRT
- Start date
Kentucky Rifle
New member
YOU'VE got to be the one who makes the decision regarding the .38 snub.
I agree with everything everyone else has said. But especially regarding the ear protection. My two inch, .38 snubs are the loudest pistols I own. Maybe give some thought to double pluging her little ears. I've also seen these very small Lexan (I think) eye protectors. I didn't think anything of it when I walked by them, however they MUST have been made for kids. I can't remember which gun shop had them, but I'll work on it. I need more coffee. You've got a little shooter there! Makes me feel good. My own father started me out with a .410 single shot, shotgun at age six. (Almost 46 years ago! [HOLY S###, I'm old!] I still have it.)
KR
I agree with everything everyone else has said. But especially regarding the ear protection. My two inch, .38 snubs are the loudest pistols I own. Maybe give some thought to double pluging her little ears. I've also seen these very small Lexan (I think) eye protectors. I didn't think anything of it when I walked by them, however they MUST have been made for kids. I can't remember which gun shop had them, but I'll work on it. I need more coffee. You've got a little shooter there! Makes me feel good. My own father started me out with a .410 single shot, shotgun at age six. (Almost 46 years ago! [HOLY S###, I'm old!] I still have it.)
KR
Kentucky Rifle
New member
Tamara...
Is that knife a Boker auto #712R?
I've got a very similar knife, however it does not have the bolster on the rear end. Also, the release spring doesn't go as far back as the one in your picture. Same black composition scales though.
KR
Is that knife a Boker auto #712R?
I've got a very similar knife, however it does not have the bolster on the rear end. Also, the release spring doesn't go as far back as the one in your picture. Same black composition scales though.
KR
Pigshooter
New member
Oh please,
38 is just fine for a new shooter. Tamara's suggestion on the 3" J-frame would be perfect, assuming you might want to get a custom grip. Too long a barrel will make it unwieldy. In fact, I've often thought that ladysmith was a good way to start a young shooter, because of the grip.
My son started with a 9mm and 38spl last year, at the age of 8. I don't own a 22, but if I got one for him it would be in a rifle, not a pistol. I had him follow the whole process from loading all the way through to reloading his spent rounds. It means so much more to him that way.
38 is just fine for a new shooter. Tamara's suggestion on the 3" J-frame would be perfect, assuming you might want to get a custom grip. Too long a barrel will make it unwieldy. In fact, I've often thought that ladysmith was a good way to start a young shooter, because of the grip.
My son started with a 9mm and 38spl last year, at the age of 8. I don't own a 22, but if I got one for him it would be in a rifle, not a pistol. I had him follow the whole process from loading all the way through to reloading his spent rounds. It means so much more to him that way.
I would caution anyone against putting a child on heavy-recoiling rounds too often. As it is, some of us here on TFL as adults may be in need of an orthoscopic surgeon in the future because of our induldenge in the full-load magnums. A child is still in their growing stage, even more so the need for restraint.
Fish Springs
New member
My shooting daughters started with .22 LR in a K-22 and a Ruger STD MK1. After shooting a few different caliber/gun combinations they both prefer a Ruger 45 Colt Bisley--go figure.
jimmyjimmy
Inactive
Wouldn't that cause some trauma for the child? I mean, especially if she is a girl. I wouldn't consider teaching my girl (if I have one) until she thinks she is ready.
If she is 16, or even 15, then I think it would be okay to put her on the spot and say "shoot that target yonder."
All I am saying is, carrying is okay. But as far as shooting it, maybe she is doing it just for her daddy.
If she is 16, or even 15, then I think it would be okay to put her on the spot and say "shoot that target yonder."
All I am saying is, carrying is okay. But as far as shooting it, maybe she is doing it just for her daddy.
Jimmi, it has been shown that women have a higher threshhold for pain than men do. Little girls can handle whatever little boys can -- real differences don't show up until puberty, and even then, any healthy girl can handle a .38. She might not like it as much as a boy the same size, but that psychological.
Mannlicher
New member
My choice would be a Smith Mod 60-3. The three inch barrel is ideal, and I like the DAO . My choice of load would be a 148 grain FWC over 2.7 grains of Bullseye. Gives around 750 fps, and no recoil. Lovely load for learning to shoot.
Well, after being at my local shooting area today with my 10 year old son and his friend of the same age I should ammend my earlier statement and add some extra input.
My son, who has limited recent shooting experience since we as a family are just getting back into the activity, was fine with factory .38 loads in my 608. In fact he was touching off factory .357's within the first 6 rounds. Both were 130 grn and 125 grn UMC's respectivly if you care. Of course I have the 6.5" barrel and ported so that should be considered. With .38's muzzel flip was slightly wild, but he could control it. With the .357's flip was very noticable and he was aiming 2 feet low at 14 yards to hit the target because of it. The recoil wasn't an issue to him with either load. He was a little leary of the .357's until the first round but after that he shot another 99 rounds of them compared to the 20 .38 rounds he ran through it.
The only real issues I noticed were he had trouble with the frame size, weight, and trigger weight in DA. He couldn't quite get his fingers on the trigger enough to pull it in DA, half because of the reach and half due to the pull weight. He also told me that holding up while aiming was hard, it's not always that easy for me either, 3-1/2 lbs at arms distance gets tiring.
If I were going to get him his own I would feel ok with a med frame in .357, SA or DA, probably 4" ported barrel.
My son, who has limited recent shooting experience since we as a family are just getting back into the activity, was fine with factory .38 loads in my 608. In fact he was touching off factory .357's within the first 6 rounds. Both were 130 grn and 125 grn UMC's respectivly if you care. Of course I have the 6.5" barrel and ported so that should be considered. With .38's muzzel flip was slightly wild, but he could control it. With the .357's flip was very noticable and he was aiming 2 feet low at 14 yards to hit the target because of it. The recoil wasn't an issue to him with either load. He was a little leary of the .357's until the first round but after that he shot another 99 rounds of them compared to the 20 .38 rounds he ran through it.
The only real issues I noticed were he had trouble with the frame size, weight, and trigger weight in DA. He couldn't quite get his fingers on the trigger enough to pull it in DA, half because of the reach and half due to the pull weight. He also told me that holding up while aiming was hard, it's not always that easy for me either, 3-1/2 lbs at arms distance gets tiring.
If I were going to get him his own I would feel ok with a med frame in .357, SA or DA, probably 4" ported barrel.
Fish Springs
New member
I took a test case to the range yesterday--an SP101 .357, K-22 22LR and a 9mm P95 and an old style Ruger Security Six with 4 in bbl.
For the 10 and 14 year old, new shooters and female the K-22 with standard velocity 22 LR was the top choice. Accurate, did not kick.
Number two: Securty Six with wad cutters and ~3 grains bullseye.
Number three: P95 9mm--large gun, polymer frame. Okay recoil, muzzle blast was okay.
Neither shooter liked the SP101 nor did they like .357 Mag loads in either Ruger.
Back to the original recommendation: start with an accurate 22LR at close range. Get the basics of grip, sight picture ect down then move to recoil mangement.
The stubbie has neither the sight radius, sights etc. for starting a kid so that theywill stay with the sport.
A Single Six or a Dimondback in 22 LR might be just as fun. I've started more non-shooters on a K22 with 22 shorts than I can count.
For the 10 and 14 year old, new shooters and female the K-22 with standard velocity 22 LR was the top choice. Accurate, did not kick.
Number two: Securty Six with wad cutters and ~3 grains bullseye.
Number three: P95 9mm--large gun, polymer frame. Okay recoil, muzzle blast was okay.
Neither shooter liked the SP101 nor did they like .357 Mag loads in either Ruger.
Back to the original recommendation: start with an accurate 22LR at close range. Get the basics of grip, sight picture ect down then move to recoil mangement.
The stubbie has neither the sight radius, sights etc. for starting a kid so that theywill stay with the sport.
A Single Six or a Dimondback in 22 LR might be just as fun. I've started more non-shooters on a K22 with 22 shorts than I can count.