Best Starter for Youngsters

[Hazcat]

I vote for the SA .22.  Ruger New Model or the Bearcat depending on hand size.

[sledgemeister]

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 

[Siggy]

The youngsters are 11 and 13.  Thanks for the input.

[fightingquaker13]

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

[mortdooley]

 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.

[Sponsor]

[kilopaparomeo]

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.

[Siggy]

Thanks for everyone's input.  Picked up a Single Six, 4" SS today.  Can't wait to go give it a try.

[Hazcat]

Great buy!  You'll have it for life and so will your great great grand kids!