Help: Suggestions for young shooter - Which 22 pistol?

[AggieMM]

I have decided to introduce my 10 year old daughter to competitive shooting this summer. A local group will start doing weekly after work steel challenge matches (3 stages), and I thought this would be a great way to get my daughter started. I feel steel challenge would be a good introduction due to no movement, no reloads on the clock, starting at low ready (22), etc. We've been shooting a single shot 22 rifle for over a year, and I'm encouraged by her enthusiasm and desire to do more. Obviously, I plan to due lots of range time prior to her first match, but I'm excited to get her started.

My question is what pistol should I get for a youngster? Things I'm looking for are obviously a small grip, but one that is also easy to use, and has a rail on top so that I can mount a small red dot (keeping it fun at this age).

Also, any other thoughts you might have on getting her started would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[LarryH]

Our ten-year-old niece shot (and loved) my wife's Browning Buckmark last summer. She kept telling her dad "I want one of these."

He wound up buying a Ruger Mark III for her.

Either one of those would be a good start.

[Rex B]

I'd suggest you look at the Ruger 22/45.
Slim grip and light weight.

Another one worth looking at might be the Chippa/Puma 1911-22
same grip as the 22/45, and similar light weight.

But if you offered her a Walther P22, she'd be all over it.
Mixed reviews re: quality on that one.
Adjustable grip sizes are a plus.

[MoJo]

Ruger or Browning.

[CWOOD]

Hi, Ryan

Glad to see you are getting her started soon.

You may recall my daugher Sarah started IDPA at age 17. She used my Ruger 22/45 to good advantage. It is an excellent pistol. it is very accurate and very reliable. Mine has a 4" bull barrel.

If there is a downside to this pistol it is that disassembly (field strip) is not as straight forward as you Glock. Nothing horrible just less simple. Otherwise it is a fine pistol.

You will have a message as soon as I post this.

CAUTION: Granted, Sarah was a bit older but after I got extra mags and made a leather double mag pouch and modified a holster to use a thumbrake release, she shot six or seven IDPA matches. She liked the sport and soon I started hearing, "Daddy could I get something 'bigger'?" And she did it in that little almost whining, but not quite voice that al daughter seem to master early on. But it is addicting, as you well know.

Carl

[Jeremae]

All these are good suggestions.

In addition you may want to look at some of the 22 conversion kits. That way if she likes a 1911 (or cz75 or glock or ...) grip/trigger all you have to do to move up is reinstall the original slide/barrel.

I'm getting one of the STI 22 conversions (marvel design) but I'm already a 1911 guy.

[EyeToEye]

Check out this video of a girl and her Walther P22.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61eMyUcMqq4

[AggieMM]

Thanks to all for your input and suggestions. Wish me luck.

Ryan

[AggieMM]

I picked up a Browning today for my little one to start working. It seemed to fit her hand better than the others (Ruger / Beretta / Walther), so that's what we'll start with. Here's of pic (Cell phone, so a little grainy)



Thanks again for all of your suggestions.

Ryan

[CompVest]

Excellent choice. None of the other suggestions with the exception of the Walther P22 fits small hands as well as the Buckmark.

[The Annoyed Man]

How about this one?


Sorry, I couldn't help myself. You did say .22 pistol...

Seriously though, I second the Ruger 22/45 Hunter model with a bull barrel. Absolute tack driver.

[blackdog8200]

How about this one?


Sorry, I couldn't help myself. You did say .22 pistol...

Seriously though, I second the Ruger 22/45 Hunter model with a bull barrel. Absolute tack driver.

"Age of the boys (Girl) by the price of the toys!"