.22 LR for small hands

Status
Not open for further replies.
S

spm

Member
Joined
Mar 26, 2011
Messages
141
Location
Mid Missouri
My daughter would like to buy a .22 for target shooting and general plinking. The problem is she has very small hands. My Ruger Single-six is even a little too long of a reach for her. She would like at least a 4 inch barrel. It can be either a revolver or an automatic. Any suggestions?

Thanks,
spm
 
You might have her try the Ruger Bearcat. I find it more comfortable to shoot with a Tyler-T Grip type grip adapter but it's about as small a gun as there is out there with a 5" bbl.
 
Lot's of small semis out there that fit the bill. Phoenix HP22a is a small semi that I own two of and everyone enjoys shooting them. They have an available 5" barrel as well and at $200 for the range kit they are a good deal. I haven't seen any new ones around lately though.
Is the Buckmark too big for her hands? That and the Ruger MKII are exceptional .22 pistols.

I see revolvers with different style grips that might make it easier for her to reach the trigger but I don't own any. My Single Six and Heritage revolvers both have the "normal" grips.
 
The Browning 1911-22 is a very small semi-auto.

My 9 year old grand-daughter grabs mine as soon as we hit the range and won't give it up. It is very small and fits her hands perfectly.
 
I second the Browning 1911-22. The reduced overall size and a very short trigger reach. With my smaller than average handgrip I felt like a bear holding this gun.
 
Take a look at J- frame S&W revolvers. Model 34 Blue

Kitgun.gif
Stainless version is a 63 I think.
 
My wife (and me for that matter) love the Walther P22. She has really small hands and it fits her great. The target model has the longer barrel.

(in before P22 bashers come in and call it pot metal, garbage blah blah)
 
I wouldn't recommend an H&R; they are no longer made, most gunsmiths won't even work on them, and the actions are rough.

There are a number of nice .22 autoloaders that a small handed person can use, including the full size Ruger MkIII, which has a rather slender grip and close trigger.

There are fewer revolvers, but the Bearcat is one of the best. If she can reach the trigger OK, an S&W Model 63 would be a good choice.

AVOID the very small guns in .22; they are often of poor quality, have horrible trigger pulls and are hard to hit anything with. The result, even if the gun has no problems, is that the novice shooter gives up in despair,

Jim
 
P22 or SR-22 will likely be the smaller sized auto loaders. Bearcat or similar for revolvers.

I enjoy my Ruger MK series because I can help my son "hold" it with my left hand while instructing him because there is an internal bolt instead of a regular slide.
 
Add the Bersa 22. Its the size of the SR22 and P22.


Those are about the smallest with out going to Taurus and Beretta tip up barrel type.

Unless you go with a Bearcat, I think you'll have to compromise on the 4" barrel if you want a small semi auto.
 
This took the place of that Phoenix Arms zinc wonder in my collection. Small enough for pocket carry, comes with two slide on grips and is quite easy for small hands even though mine aren't that small. It's a well built firearm that has 2K round count now. You'll be lucky to get that out of a Phoenix Arms HP22 before you trash it, or send it back to PA at your expense for a new one. Zinc doesn't hold up.

xt07o.jpg
 
I had a Neos and it was just too small for my average-sized mitts. Nice gun, never failed but too little for me.
 
I would say a Ruger Bearcat and a S&W Model 34 would work for someone with small hands. In a semi-auto the Browning 1911-22 would be the way to go, along with something like Ruger's SR22 or 22/45 design. If you want to consider used guns, the Beretta Model 70S was my choice for my kids when they first started out shooting with handguns.
 
Consider a Charter Arms Pathfinder,,,

It's new made with a lifetime warranty,,,
And it is the same size revolver as a S&W J-frame.

attachment.php


My only complaint about mine is that the exterior finish is not very well done,,,
The stainless steel isn't brought to any level of nice finish.

But other than that it is a fine performer,,,
And it's only about $345.00 new.

Aarond

.
 

Attachments

  • Charter_SW_Comparison.jpg
    Charter_SW_Comparison.jpg
    56.6 KB · Views: 149
P22 or SR-22 will likely be the smaller sized auto loaders. Bearcat or similar for revolvers.
Click to expand...

I would also make the exact same recommendations. My wife has tiny, child-like hands. So much so that she can barely reach the trigger on a S&W J Frame. But the Ruger SR-22 is perfect for her. It has proven to be 100% reliable with several different types of ammunition, and the slide is very easy to retract. It is a well made little gun.

My only complaints are the trigger is a slightly gritty, it has a little too much over travel for my tastes and the break is a little rough (though IMO it's better overall than a typical glock or XD trigger). It is quite easy to shoot well nonetheless. And I've never been a big fan of 3 dot sights, but they work well enough.

The other cool thing about it is that according to the Ruger manual, it can be dry fired if you leave the empty magazine in it (of course, check to make sure it is empty several times and always point it in the safe direction).
 
I think the only .22 I have with smaller grips than the P22 is an NAA mini revolver.
 
Lots of good suggestions. I'll take her to our LGS and try several of these.

Thanks to everyone.
spm
 
My wife has tiny hands. She is not comfortable with any of our revolvers, not even an old Single-Six. But she is comfortable and accurate with the Ruger Mk II. To our surprise, she also likes the CZ 75B 9mm. We got her the Kadet 22LR adapter and she outshoots me with it. She prefers the Rugers because it is easier to rack the slide.

Please let us know what she likes after the gun store visits.

Jeff
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

H
  • Locked
small hands
Replies
23
Views
1K
Sauer Grapes
S
C
  • Locked
"kid sized" small bore
Replies
14
Views
707
flipajig
F
L
  • Locked
22lr pistol with the smallest grip
2
Replies
44
Views
3K
Maple_City_Woodsman
M
Trent
  • Locked
Small 22 Handgun for Child (teaching)
2 3 4 5
Replies
102
Views
4K
Deer_Freak
D
K
  • Locked
looking for a nice .22 pistol
2
Replies
25
Views
2K
rockstar.esq
R
Back
Top