The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Down Range Cafe => Topic started by: Siggy on January 04, 2011, 09:56:09 PM
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What is the best starter handgun for kids? I was thinking either a Ruger Single-Six or Mk3/Buckmark. We had some fun with a bolt action rifle in 22 and they understand safety considerations and are quite responsible. Under adult supervision, what is the best gun to start? :)
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If the gun does not fit thier hands, it does not matter if its a 22 short or a 500 smith and wesson, its too much gun.
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I agree with TAB (I hate it when that happens). Size matters!
I suggest that you go with a .22 rimfire and that it be a single action revolver. Low recoil and safety!
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Either one is a great choice, if, as the other 2 mentioned, their comfortable with the grip size.
What makes it an issue is that you didn't mention how young. With teenagers it is much less likely to be an issue than with younger kids. With the younger ones I would go with the BuckMark since the Semi auto is more conducive to a 2 handed grip and there is no concern with flash from the cylinder gap.
I'm assuming that the 2 you mentioned are ones that you have, so I will just say that at 11 I started shooting pistols with a S&W model 17
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Maybe even an old Ruger "Bearcat" .22 (think that was the name).
Richard
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It not only must "fit" them, they need to be able to "manipulate" it. Load and unload, and cock it if necessary. Children have trouble racking the slide on most semi-autos. It can become frustrating.
Part of me say, get the most accurate gun that fits the other criteria. They'll enjoy shooting a lot more if the gun shoots well.
The Buckmark is a good choice as is a Ruger MKII/III. I'm not convinced that single action is so much safer for them to operate. I've observed people with small hands waving single shots around in trying to cock the hammer. That said, you may also look at some quality da/sa revolvers. They probably can't shoot DA but the lock time on them is usually shorter than many single actions, which can improve accuracy.
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what age is the kid ???
I know I can not let my Daughter use a pistol yet she is still not quite big enough for the rifle yet, it needs to be bench rested for her to shoot it.
I like the idea of a Revolver for a first time, They have to take a positive action to get it to fire the next round: cocking the hammer versus just pulling the trigger. I think they are safer.
Ruger Bearcat or single six
for a S/A how about a Walther P22 5", S&W model 22a + as mentioned Ruger or Browning
or how about an air pistol ???
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For a brand new shooter, load the cylinder or magazine with one round and repeat until they become familiar with the weapon and you verify their safe handling. The number of rounds can be progressively increased.
Can anyone remember the Range Master calling "Lock and load one round."
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Started my boys with a .22 Glenfield. The same day after they built up their confidence we fired a Glock 17 and a Smith and Wesson .38 Special snub nose. Really wish that I had a .22 pistol at the time but they shot very well with what we had.
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First pistol I'd ever shot, back when I was but six or seven, was a .22 single action. Great choice, I don't think you could go wrong. About sixty seconds later I shot a Sig .45, quite a contrast.
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I vote for the SA .22. Ruger New Model or the Bearcat depending on hand size.
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I brought a Taurus model 94 DA revolver for when my kids started to shoot handguns, grips arent overly big and you can load 1 round or 9. Double action has the advantage of being able to teach trigger control as they get more advanced. Hell I play with it now on occassions, I can empty it faster than a semi ;D
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The youngsters are 11 and 13. Thanks for the input.
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Maybe even an old Ruger "Bearcat" .22 (think that was the name).
Richard
+10 If you can find one buy it! Its the prettiest SA revolver out there IMHO, and very accurate and reliable. Just too small for large hands, but a nice piece. I sold mine for that reason, but it was a blast to shoot and designed for little hands.
FQ13
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I would like to add that coaching a new shooter requires all our attention and a single action has given me the best margin of safety. Children should want to learn before they are taken to a range, by that I mean they should have some enthusiasm for it.
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I really like a tlike a single shot 22 rifle (like the Savage Cub) or a single action revolver (like a Single Six). The SA pistol is the favorite of my kids (even more than the Mk II). I like these choices not only because of the "safety" but for 2 other reasons:
+ it slows things down in the beginning. You can always switch over to a semi to "have fun", but early on they need to meter shooting with listening. Remember that early on, there is a lot of info coming at them.
+ it teaches them how the gun functions. When you have to load, manually cock and unload each shell, there is learning.
You can intersperse the semi to keep things interesting.
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Thanks for everyone's input. Picked up a Single Six, 4" SS today. Can't wait to go give it a try.
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Great buy! You'll have it for life and so will your great great grand kids!