[Wanderling]

Took my son to the range for the first time. He had great fun with a friend's scoped .22 Marlin but the G17 was too much for him, both in size and recoil.

I want to get him a .22 revolver. I think it would be safer to learn on than a semi.

I can't spend much right now, plus I know next to nothing about revolvers. I would really appreciate suggestions for a reliable, accurate revolver that is easy enough for a child to shoot . Obviously it's not going to be concealed. Also, what is a good price on one.

Thanks!

[Certaindeaf]

A Harrington and Richarson top-break or some High Standard like the Double Nine.

They are both DA 9 shooters. The only thing is, the triggers in DA mode may well be heavy.

If you want new, Ruger makes an 8 shot double action revolver.

[Radagast]

The Ruger Bearcat is sized for kids hands. He will outgrow it quickly, but its probably ideal for now.

[Iggy]

Ruger Bearcat.

[snooperman]

I bought 4 grand children "bearcats" several years ago and it is one of the best for youngsters to start with.

[Esoxchaser]

Ruger 10/22 carbine.
Savage Mark II GLY, very accurate and made for youth...

[22-rimfire]

Ruger Bearcat.

[firesky101]

Bearcats are great. Or if you want something he will grow into, a single six convertible. It will give the option of .22mag down the road. If you look at semi's check out the Ruger mkIII or 22/45. Ruger just makes great rimfires.

[berettaprofessor]

Ruger Bearcat would be a good choice and about as cheap as you can pick up. Advantage; single action, so he can't just pull the trigger to fire multiple times. S&W 63 would be a little more pricey but has an excellent single trigger pull if the hammer is cocked first.


DO NOT BUY THE NEW RUGER 22LCR 8 shot as suggested above. I just got one last week and traded it today.....the absolute worse trigger I ever felt. :fire: Couldn't keep the gun on target pulling the DA trigger.

[BCRider]

If he's still a little small for a 10 year old due to not having an early growth spurt then a Bearcat would fit him well. And later on it could be adapted to him and you by fitting it with an adult size custom wood grip.

But the Bearcat is a little pricey. TO keep things cheap I would suggest a Heritage Rough Rider. It's not that expensive and it would do for now.

For used I've found the H&R revolvers to be decent options. But the Hi Standard Double 9 I had was so heavy a trigger pull even for single action that I can't in good conscience support the suggestion. I "smithed" it a little to lighten it up but when I found a Single Six for cheap I sold off the D9 quickly and for cheap and never looked back. On the other hand the two H&R rimfire revolvers are sticking around for a while to come.

Another option would be a .22 rifle. Something like a Henry lever or bolt action Savage combined with one of those flip up steel rimfire target sets will teach about accuracy and avoid the urge to "spray" ammo that comes from having a semi auto.

[Certaindeaf]

. DO NOT BUY THE NEW RUGER 22LCR 8 shot as suggested above. I just got one last week and traded it today.....the absolute worse trigger I ever felt. :fire: Couldn't keep the gun on target pulling the DA trigger.
Sorry, I should have clarified I meant the SP101.

Most all DA rimfires will have a pretty heavy DA, as I said above.

[Wanderling]

Thanks. I want a revolver so that I could have fun with it, too :). Bearcat is indeed expensive, I was hoping for sub $300 range.

My son is of an average size for a 10 years old, but the grip on a full size Glock is too wide for him to get a comfortable hold. But the biggest problem is recoil, he can't hold it firm enough yet for slide to cycle. That, and I am very uncomfortable trusting him with a light pull semi auto yet.

[berettaprofessor]

Sub-$300 makes it likely a Heritage Rough Rider revolver unless you get very lucky. And there's nothing wrong with that...Heritage makes a good single-action revolver. You can get them on Gunbroker for sub$200....just looked and there would be a no reserve auction that ends within the hour for $140.

[CraigC]

I'd suggest a used Bearcat. They're great little sixguns and he should NEVER outgrow it.

[Radagast]

Again in that price range, a used Bearcat. If its more for you with your son being able to use it to, then a used Single Six.
The K frame S&Ws will be out of your price range and in my experience are too big for little hands. The S&W Model 63 will again be out of your range and as mentioned above has a heavy DA.
So single action & Ruger make the best bang for your buck in that regard. Its also hard to screw one up, so a second hand gun will probably be as good as a new one mechanically.

[Certaindeaf]

There are gobs of used High Standard and H&R DA revolvers out there well within your price range.
A DA revolver doesn't need to be shot DA. They're faster to load than a SA also.
Heck, I had an old H-S Double Nine Buntline when I was a kid and hardly ever shot it DA.

[ArchAngelCD]

Even though you said funds are tight you don't want to buy your son a cheap revolver because usually they are not as accurate as they should be. Nothing worse than a 10 year old shooting and not hitting anything. They will become discouraged quickly and lose interest.

A Ruger Bearcat is a great revolver to learn on and to shoot a lot. I have a Ruger Single-Six (Bearcat's bigger brother) and I would not sell or trade it away for anything! Many many young shooters have fired their first shots through that revolver...

Bud's Gun Shop (http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/index.php/cPath/21_49_118/Handguns/Ruger/Ruger+Single+Action+Revolvers) sells brand new Bearcat revolvers for $404 including shipping to your FFL. I suggest you save up a little longer and buy quality, it's always a good idea. A convertible Single-Six is only $2 more... I've seen used Bearcats for as little as $200 locally which is also a good option.

Good luck and good for you wanting to teach your son gun safety and the joy of shooting which will last him a lifetime. I was out shooting yesterday with my 33 year old son and it's just as much fun now as when he was young!!!

[MedWheeler]

Under $300 new, Heritage R/R, as noted. Also, keep an eye out for used guns such as the Charter Arms Pathfinder, preferably one made before 1990, or after 2005. It's a double-action one, though, with a six-round cylinder. The Taurus 94 can be found for around that, too.

[BCRider]

I think he's way too young for anything but a pellet rifle.

It totally depends on the maturity level of the kid. At our Jr .22 rifle evenings we have a kid that is likely younger than 10 if I go by his height that is a pleasure to watch as he carries the gun and shoots with truly adult like care and attention. He's VERY aware of the level of trust that has been placed in his little hands and acts like it.

If we only had a few more adults that behave the same with firearms..... Some of the things I've seen would curl your hair.

On the other hand we've got another kid about the same or a little older age that treats it like a cartoon on TV. With his father's permission I had a short but positively directed talk with him about how we're trusting him with something as potentially deadly as a rifle and explained that even a small .22 is not a toy by any stretch. Reminded him about the proper way to handle the guns and that it isn't a toy. He's perked up a little since then. Hopefully he's seen the light.

[CraigC]

I think he's way too young for anything but a pellet rifle.
Depends on the child in question. We've been shooting with my buddy's kids the last few days. The youngest 4, the oldest 9 and even the 4yr old does well with supervision. The 9yr old manipulates a sixgun quite handily all by himself and if you're not careful, he'll shoot up all your ammo.

[bannockburn]

I would go with a used Single Six.

[Hoppes Love Potion]

Bearcat or Single Six. Get a quality gun that will last him a lifetime.

[C0untZer0]

I've really been leaning toward the S&W Model 63 for my daughter.

She'd fire it single-action from a bench rest to start out with, that's what we're currently doing with an air rifle and an air-pistol.

I've taken her a couple of times to gun shops, and we've looked through catalogs and the only thing she cares about is that whatever she gets is pink.

So I was thinking of getting a Model 63 and getting the pink Hogue monogrips for it.

I looked at the Pathfinder - but I've read too many posts from people who ran afoul of poor CQ from Charter Arms - not years ago either - posts from people who purchased Pathfinders online this year and got them with canted barrels, stuck ejector rods, and a general complaint that the spent shells didn't eject.

I've handled the .22 caliber SP101 KSP-242-8 and I didn't think the lockup was that great on it.

I got my oldest daughter a Rossi youth combo. For now, I'd like my kids to share their firearms, I can't buy all three of them a pistol and a rifle (each)

[jlucke69]

Bought a new single-10 blued for 380 including tax. Should be able to get a used one for the $300.00 range. good gun. My 9 and 6 year old boys love it as do I. Heritage would be good to. Just get something they can shoot and they will be happy.

[C5rider]

Could go either way on this one. I have a Rough Rider AND a single six. I like them both.

If you're simply looking for something for him to shoot and that's all, the Rough Rider fits the bill perfectly. Again, I like mine!

If instead, you are looking at getting him something hoping that someday, he'll look back through a set of bifocals and hand his son, or grandson a firearm and explain that THIS was his very first gun, then the Ruger Single Six is the gun for you. IMHO.

I don't subscribe to the cost of each being a determining factor as my 1961, unconverted three-screw Ruger Single Six (with magnum cylinder) cost me LESS than my Rough Rider! And no, I just bought it THIS year! :D

[Hondo 60]

Sub-$300 makes it likely a Heritage Rough Rider

Yup. I have one in a "Sheriff's Model" with a Bird's Head grip (3.75" barrel).

While it's certainly not a Ruger or S&W, I've shot hundreds upon hundreds of rounds.
(since August) & it's held up very well.

If you're looking for great accuracy, you're not gonna find it in a sub-$300 gun.

[doc2rn]

I would like to suggest a few other high quality products High standard, buckmark, Ruger MK II, Colt Cadet. If you could pick up one of these used you would be light years ahead and they will last a lifetime. I still have the Ruger Standard my dad went in halves with me on for my 11th birthday.

[pikid89]

How about a Ruger Bearcat

Ive always wanted one to put on my belt when out hunting

[Bo]

I did the same thing when my grandson was 10. The double action was too hard to pull and his thumb got sore from constantly pulling the hammer back for single action. I took a loss on the revolver and bought a Ruger Mark III, he loves it. As a matter of fact, so does my wife, daughter and myself. No regrets with the MK III.

[CraigC]

Sub-$300 makes it likely a Heritage Rough Rider
I have three Single Sixes that cost substantially less than $300 apiece. I paid $200, $225 and $250 for them. I see good used Old Models on Gunbroker for $300 or less all the time. I think folks just don't want to have to look for one.

[hboy35]

my 12 yr old has a Marlin 60 .22 rifle, but loves my Ruger single six in .22 and wanted one of his own. He had saved up around $130 and we went to several gun shops around town, but of course, he didnt have enough. He wound up finding a Herbert Schmidt .22 revolver on GunsAmerica for $85 plus $15 shipping. I have a local FFL that only charges me $10 for a transfer.

I go tomorrow to pick it up. Yes, it is a cheap .22, but it is his, bought with his own money. I have an old bolt action mossberg .410 that I bought when I was his age because I wanted my own stuff, so I fully related to my son--and I still have a cherished place in the gun safe for that cheap old .410. YMMV.

[beatledog7]

I'd start him with a rifle rather than a revolver. It's easier to hit targets with a rifle, so it's more rewarding right off the bat.

Also, revolvers and semi-autos make it too easy for an eager youngster to simply spray lead without paying attention to sight alignment, sight picture, breath and trigger control, etc. Choose a rifle that requires manual operation between trigger pulls, and your child will learn properly.

[KenW.]

Handgun? No. Single-shot rifle? Yes.

[USAF_Vet]

I started my step son out on a Cricket single shot. He's on the smaller size, so it fits him just fine, and he is 9. My Savage is too long for him to fire offhand. On the bench he is just fine. Last month my dad let him shoot his Ruger single six. He took to it better than I thought. As it is, I won't buy him a handgun of his own until he is 16. That was our deal. I figure in a few years or so, I'll upgrade him to a full size rifle.

If you are dead set on a sub $300 .22 pistol, and not dead set against a semi auto, try to find a used or on-sale S&W 22A. Size wise, they are about the same weight and balance of any DA or SA .22 revolver.

[Kiln]

A Harrington and Richarson top-break or some High Standard like the Double Nine.

They are both DA 9 shooters. The only thing is, the triggers in DA mode may well be heavy.

If you want new, Ruger makes an 8 shot double action revolver.
The H&R Sportsman I had didn't have a very heavy DA trigger. Then again I got it well used so maybe it had just been heavily used so the trigger was great.

[rvanpelt]

I agree most 10 yr. olds are not ready to start shooting with a pistol. :( Pistols can easily be pointed in the wrong direction very quickly. A single shot rifle teaches them discipline making every shot count and eliminates somewhat the chance of an accidental discharge. A single shot Cricket is a good starter especially if he is smaller framed. If/when he is ready, Henry makes a great lever youth model. When the day comes for a pistol, I agree, the Ruger Bearcat is a great choice. If his hands are bigger and can pull the hammer back, a Ruger Single six would be my choice as it was when my son was growing up. He is now a LEO/fire arms instructor and SWAT member teaching his two sons how to shoot and handle firearms.
With the right supervision and guidance, I'm sure you and your son will have many enjoyable days ahead which he wiill pass on to your grandkids.:)
Just my 2 cents worth. Please keep the change.
Rod

[Kiln]

I think 10 is old enough. If you teach safe handling properly and make sure he understands how important it is there should be no problems.

[Dnaltrop]

My eldest was chomping at the bit to move on from her single shot Marlin 101.

She still enjoys my early AR-7.

However, for her 10th birthday, instead of the Bersa .22 she originally wanted (and yes, SHE picked it out among other options), she now has the use of a Ruger Single Ten, and she's getting more used to the weight.

I do "kind of" wish we'd found a Six, but the Ten just seemed more appropriate for a 10th.

[mljdeckard]

Cruise the pawn shops for a used Single-Six?

[ArchAngelCD]

I agree 10 should be old enough and sometimes even younger...

Has anyone ever asked why so many young children shoot themselves or someone else by accident these days? It's the unintended government effect of "protecting them" which is at fault. Because it's the popular mindset that children should be isolated from gun that is actually making them less safe. Children have no idea how dangerous a gun is because they were never told. They don't know the 4 rules because they were never told. They were never told guns are real and will kill if used incorrectly. They were never told real guns are not the same as video game guns and in real life you only get 1 life, no reset.

Back when, even as recent as the early 60's many homes had a loaded .22 and a shotgun at the back door of the house. No one picked up those guns to play with and no children dies because of those guns. Why? Because the children of the time were taught at a very young age those tools were not toys. They were also taught gun safety and how to properly operate the firearms. Insulating children from guns does them and everyone around them a disservice...

[horsemen61]

Id go with a Rough Rider.