Help Needed: Daughter's First Handgun

[AirForceShooter]

I did the usual thing with my girl.
Started her with a .22 worked up to a .38.
When she was 14 and all of 5 feet tall she asked if she could try my 1911.
The sun rose, the rain dried up, her eyes opened wide, that smile lit the world. "Daddy, I need one".
She's been using one ever since.
Just go with it and never say no.

AFS

 

[CraigJS]

Also get a good locking pistol case for your piece of mind, and her safety..

 

[DragonRider]

IF, she has any desire to compete you can buy her a Glock 17 and put a Advantage Arms 22 upper on it. My 11 year old is using her moms 17 quite well and has walked competitions with it, she is allowed to run during the first 4-6 months of competeting. She practices with both everytime we go.

Regardless of what she ends up with make sure it fits her hands and then yours

PM if you have any questions.

John

 

[Powderman]

How to make your little girl VERY happy:

1. Find the best K22 you can, in blue steel.
2. Teach your daughter well.
3. When she feels comfortable with it, send it to Smith and Wesson. Have it tuned and re-blued with their master-grade high polish blue finish.
4. Watch her eyes light up when she uncases the revolver.

Best of luck, and good shooting to both of you!

 

[Hazwaste]

Also get a good locking pistol case for your piece (sic) of mind, and her safety..

No disrespect intended, but my peace of mind comes from years of training my children in safe firearms handling, enforcing the rules, and taking them shooting on a regular (normally at least monthly) basis.

Locks are a placebo. Children are resourceful. Don't trust them (locks) alone to provide safety.

 

[Hazwaste]

How About This One?

While not a revolver, and heavier than some of the revolvers I've looked at, I am curious about this Ruger http://ruger.com/Firearms/FAProdView?model=10119&return=Y

I've been impressed with the performance of Ruger's Mark II in the past, but wasn't completely comfortable with the grip angle. This one has a 1911 grip angle, plus a slimmer than normal grip for small hands.

Comments?

 

[borrowedtime69]

Advice/ freindly warning:

I highly recommend staying away from the Walther p22. if you read about them on Rimfirecentral there are ALOT of problems with them. i have also talked to some folks at the range that had bought them. apparently they are made of a softer metal. they complained that there was chips in the slides and on other moving areas after just the first or second mag. i personally have seen these damaged guns and will not be buying one unless they improve the metal. there is a host of other problems, i recommend you go to RFC and do a search for the P22.

guns i would recommend include : new Ruger MK II or III in 22/45 configuration ( i own 3 MK II 22/45', if that tells you anything ), taurus 94, ruger SP 101, any smith & wesson. Good luck, you have a great girl there! -Eric

 

[jeepmor]

Gun for your girl should be her choice shouldnt it?

I think it's cool your daughter is that interested enough to "want" her own handgun. I also agree with safety training over locks. You cannot lock anything up from a resourceful kid, it didn't work with me, don't suspect young kids have changed much in tenacity.

You ask all of us what we think would be good. I have to take one step back from here and state that for it to be really special for your little girl, you may want to allow her to pick it out for herself. I think it might be have a quite a bit more sentimental value that way, even is she does not pick the "best" brand or prettiest gun, it will be the one that "she" wanted and the first hand gun that "her dad" bought her. I think it would probably mean more to her personally and may end up staying in her family for life this way.

In case she picks a dud or it's hard to find just what she wants, you should have her pick out her 3 favorites. This way, if it were a christmas gift, you could still provide the element of surprise. Think of all the time she'll spend doing research for you. Have her save the sites on favorites so it can make your shopping easier too.

I try to do this with my family for xmas shopping. They don't know what they are getting, but I know it IS something they want. Makes for lots of smiles at christmas before they start opening the socks and underwear...haha

jeepmor

 

[Shel]

Based on LOOKS alone, I would say the Walther P22...

For me I was torn between the Walther P22, and the Taurus 94 revolver.

I ended up buying a Taurus 94 myself this Friday. I froze my hind end off Sunday, but I took it out and shot it some. So far so good.

 

[Hazwaste]

Jeepmor

That's a nice idea. Thanks.

 

[Ultraman]

***Ruger***

PLEASE don't take this wrong.

She is only 13. I understand that there is 13 and then there is 13 but she is only 13.
I really think that father is better equipped to make the decision as to what is best.

It sounds like you are raising her right so I'll bet you that she will love whatever she gets
from dear old dad, even a wrist rocket slingshot!

I really suggest you start her off on a nice slow, safe, single-action, then she'll have something to
look forward to on her sweet 16th birthday too.

JMTCW, Bill

PS when I was 16 I really wanted a Corvette but absolutely loved the Ford Pinto that Dad thought
was more appropriate for my experience level. How could he be so DUMB way back then and so
darn SMART now????

 

[.41Dave]

+1 for the S&W model 18, 17, 617, k22 et al. My daughter started with my S&W model 18-2 at age 6.

YMMV, but I think a wheelgun is a better for a beginner than an autoloader for the following reasons:
1. A wheelgun has a simpler manual of arms.
2. A Revolver can be skip loaded to help overcome flinching.
3. Nothing is better than a DA revolver for learning trigger control.
4. Many girls/women have trouble with loading magazines or pulling the slide back on autos.
5. Many beginners seem to take more care with each shot with a revolver, whereas they frequently rush their shots with an auto.
6. As the beginning shooter progresses, it is easier to step up in power with a revolver, while maintaining a similar size/weight/grip size. My daughter found it very easy to transition from a model 18 in .22 to a model 19 in .357 magnum, since both guns are made on the same frame, with the same grips, same balance, and virtually the same weight. She was able to gradually work up from light loaded .38 wadcutters to full power .357 magnums. Can't do that with a 1911.


My daughter (now 11) shoots 1911s, model 19s, pretty much anything except my .41 magnums. But she learned the basics on that old 18-2, and the lessons seem to have transferred well to the few autoloaders I own.

 

[ReadyontheRight]

What about a Ruger revolver in .32 H&R Mag? Or even a pair of them for Cowboy shooting?

Looking at the Ruger website, it looks like they have .32 H&R Mag in the New Single Six and the SP101 - double action.

I tought they had a Bird's Head Vaquero, but maybe they've stopped making them. Seems like a good option for a young (or old) shooter.