Get a Browning Buckmark .22, I own two ruger MK IIs, and the Smith 41, and 2 Buck marks a Bullseye model and a plain jane 5.5" model buckmark plus.
My children 9 and 11 prefer the buckmark plus, its accurate, its 100% reliable with every type of ammo from cheap federal bulk to cci standard, blazer, aguilla target, federal gold medal, even yellowjackets, and velociter.
The trigger was a little heavy 4.5 lbs at first but breaks clean, with no creep or overtravel, and gets lighter 3.5lbs after a couple thousand rounds. Its easy to clean, and all you do to mount a scope is buy a $25 top rail and rings, and you can go back and forth from irons to scope with no change in zero.
The grip angle is the same as a 1911 as are the control locations, and no funny grip angle like the ruger MKII or MK III, (except the government model ruger).
A great .22 I find them to be more accurate, more reliable, and have a better trigger than the Ruger, and no mag disconnect or loaded chamber lawyer attachments Yet, all for $300 at your dealer.
http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/firearms/detail.asp?value=006B&cat_id=051&type_id=407