Thanks for all the input. Some where it was mentioned that a longer barrel is a good idea because it will not be as loud. Can someone quantify the difference in sound volume between barrel lengths? I understand why, but how much difference will it make on a .22?
Choosing a .22 Autoloader
- Thread starter esswiz
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Hard to quantify but...
I have a Ruger 22/45 with a 3" Pac-Lite barrel that is uncomfortable to shoot outdoors without ear protection.
I have a few .22's with 6"+ barrels that I can comfortably shoot outdoors without ear protection.
Of course, you should always wear ear protection
I have a Ruger 22/45 with a 3" Pac-Lite barrel that is uncomfortable to shoot outdoors without ear protection.
I have a few .22's with 6"+ barrels that I can comfortably shoot outdoors without ear protection.
Of course, you should always wear ear protection
cochise
Member
. 22 cal handguns are the best thing going. Fun, cheap to shoot, and not scary to beginners. I have / had the folowing when the kids were young. I split up the collection between me, 3 kids and 6 grandchildren.
I found they enjoyed a Colt Woodsman or Huntsman the best. Smaller grips and lighter for them. You can still find them at shows, on line auctions, and shops. Ok here is a list they shoot................
H&R 922 4"[ 9 shot double action]
Colt Huntsman 4" and Woodsman 6 "
Colt SAA .22
S&W model 18 4", three model 317's two 4" one 2".
Two Colt single shot .22 short blackpowder replica's, the two youngest girls [ 5 & 7 ] really like these cause they're so small
High Standard Citatation 6"
Ruger mk 2
Ruger Single Six convertible.........two..... one blue one S/S
And the best for last A S&W model 63 kit gun. My grandson told me when he was 9 yrs old, "Grandpa this pistol is too small for your hands, I'll just keep it for you". He's 18 now and I still miss that little guy. [both of them]
I found they enjoyed a Colt Woodsman or Huntsman the best. Smaller grips and lighter for them. You can still find them at shows, on line auctions, and shops. Ok here is a list they shoot................
H&R 922 4"[ 9 shot double action]
Colt Huntsman 4" and Woodsman 6 "
Colt SAA .22
S&W model 18 4", three model 317's two 4" one 2".
Two Colt single shot .22 short blackpowder replica's, the two youngest girls [ 5 & 7 ] really like these cause they're so small
High Standard Citatation 6"
Ruger mk 2
Ruger Single Six convertible.........two..... one blue one S/S
And the best for last A S&W model 63 kit gun. My grandson told me when he was 9 yrs old, "Grandpa this pistol is too small for your hands, I'll just keep it for you". He's 18 now and I still miss that little guy. [both of them]
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Got one
I took my kids to the Store today. I had each one of the guns on my short list put into the hands of each child. MKIII, Walther P22, Bersa FS22 (380 actually, but it's roughly the same physical size). The votes were cast and counted. It was unanimous. We brought home a new Walther P22, in Nickle finish. I'm still going to get a Bersa FS22 at some point. Thanks for all the wisdom that was shared.
I took my kids to the Store today. I had each one of the guns on my short list put into the hands of each child. MKIII, Walther P22, Bersa FS22 (380 actually, but it's roughly the same physical size). The votes were cast and counted. It was unanimous. We brought home a new Walther P22, in Nickle finish. I'm still going to get a Bersa FS22 at some point. Thanks for all the wisdom that was shared.
I currently own a S&W 22A (I had to choose between the BM and the SW and I wanted the
S&W 22A problems.
Lots of problems.
But S&W solved all.
Fun dealing with S&W employees!
S&W 22A problems.
Lots of problems.
But S&W solved all.
Fun dealing with S&W employees!
Walther PP, preferably a pre-war Zella-Mehlis.
It will outshoot everything except the best bullseye 22s (Walther GSP, Benelli, Feinwerkbau). Groups around 1-2" @ 50yds are not uncommon. And that being from a pocket size pistol.
Maybe these are hard to come by in the US? Over here we have tons and tons. A good one is about $150-250.
It will outshoot everything except the best bullseye 22s (Walther GSP, Benelli, Feinwerkbau). Groups around 1-2" @ 50yds are not uncommon. And that being from a pocket size pistol.
Maybe these are hard to come by in the US? Over here we have tons and tons. A good one is about $150-250.
Another vote for the P22, mine has about a heck of a lot of rounds through it (I shoot it everyday). Other then it being picky about ammo I have had no issues with it.
So far I have only found four ammos that work regularly:
Fiocchi 40gr High Velocity (very dirty ammo)
CCI Mini-mag CRN
CCI Mini-mag HP JHP
CCI Stinger
Federal Champion LRN 40gr doesn't work with the P22, nor does Wolf, or CCI Blazer. Today I am going to try the Winchester Bulk pack and the Federal HP Bulk Pack both from Wallys World.
So far I have only found four ammos that work regularly:
Fiocchi 40gr High Velocity (very dirty ammo)
CCI Mini-mag CRN
CCI Mini-mag HP JHP
CCI Stinger
Federal Champion LRN 40gr doesn't work with the P22, nor does Wolf, or CCI Blazer. Today I am going to try the Winchester Bulk pack and the Federal HP Bulk Pack both from Wallys World.
apachejack
Member
I guess I'm out of my mind but I let my grandkids & nephew's kids shoot my kimber 22. It is light enough for them and has the same size of the 1911. The only problem I have is that it is sensitive to ammo. You have to use good ammo or it has a tendency to jam. I like to run a mag of cheapo stuff for them just to see how they handle the situation. I like to see if my safety training has paid off with them. Also, the gun won't lose it's value like some of the other models have. But above all, I like to see them shooting & having fun with it.
On second thought. If just introducing to handguns I would (my opinion) start out with a wheel gun for safety issues. Once they have a good respect for an auto go for it or load the mag 1 round at a time.
Again just my opinion. That is my intention w/ my kids. That second follow up shot with an auto for beginners has always made me nervous.
Or maybe it is because that is how dad broke me in on handguns.
Again just my opinion. That is my intention w/ my kids. That second follow up shot with an auto for beginners has always made me nervous.
Or maybe it is because that is how dad broke me in on handguns.
Looks like this is a dead horse as the original poster made his decision.
However...I have one of the retro Olympic Arms Wolverines that I got on a whim--having missed out on the originals back when. Wouldn't recommend it. Not particularly kid-friendly and it has had continual feeding problems even using the specified ammo. OK as a show-and-tell but unless they got their act together I'm not too impressed with it.
I have a real old-timer that would actually be pretty good for a first plinker--a 1960s Sheridan "Knockabout .22 single shot tip-up pistol. It's a bit heavy on the trigger but dirt-simple, light, and quite accurate. Fun, too (remember fun?).
We have pretty well standardized on the old plain-vanilla Ruger standard autopistols around here, usually with the short light barrel and a trigger job. Once zeroed they are pretty nice little guns.
However...I have one of the retro Olympic Arms Wolverines that I got on a whim--having missed out on the originals back when. Wouldn't recommend it. Not particularly kid-friendly and it has had continual feeding problems even using the specified ammo. OK as a show-and-tell but unless they got their act together I'm not too impressed with it.
I have a real old-timer that would actually be pretty good for a first plinker--a 1960s Sheridan "Knockabout .22 single shot tip-up pistol. It's a bit heavy on the trigger but dirt-simple, light, and quite accurate. Fun, too (remember fun?).
We have pretty well standardized on the old plain-vanilla Ruger standard autopistols around here, usually with the short light barrel and a trigger job. Once zeroed they are pretty nice little guns.
Flyboy
Member
Repeating the "dead horse" sentiment, I just wanted to toss out one more vote in favor of the Buckmark. I've been playing with both a Buckmark and a Mark III lately, and while both are fine mechanically and plenty accurate, the trigger on the Buckmark is dramatically better than that of the Mark III. Neither of them can hold a candle to the trigger on a Smith and Wesson M41, but then, you could by both and still come out less than the price on the M41.
I would mention that I only use CCI Mini-Mags in my Buckmark. Last time I tried Federal bulk-pack, I was getting some jams. The gun was dirty, and probably had <500 rounds through it, so there might be some excuses there, but when I went back to Mini-Mags, it went right back to 100%. But damn if she ain't a tackdriver with them...
Next step (and I think this is a great one for kids and adults alike): Advanced Armament Pilot. Protect your kids' hearing, use a can.
I would mention that I only use CCI Mini-Mags in my Buckmark. Last time I tried Federal bulk-pack, I was getting some jams. The gun was dirty, and probably had <500 rounds through it, so there might be some excuses there, but when I went back to Mini-Mags, it went right back to 100%. But damn if she ain't a tackdriver with them...
Next step (and I think this is a great one for kids and adults alike): Advanced Armament Pilot. Protect your kids' hearing, use a can.
browningguy
Member
I've got a Walther, and it's an excellent pistol for kids. Bought mine about a year ago and it's run perfect with both of the supplied magazines. I also have a friend with an 11 year old that we taught to shoot last year, using the dads Neos. Both are good guns, the Walther seems to fit smaller kids hands better, so consequently he shot better with it, the Walther seems quit a bit lighter to me, although I'm not sure what the real difference is.
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