What gun for training my grandson?

[KentuckyBlue]

My 12 year old grandson approached me and asked if I would take him next time I go to shoot. I am honored to teach him respect and the proper care and use of a handgun. I remember my Dad teaching me the proper use of a shotgun and taking me hunting with him. I got my first shotgun for my 12th birthday. My how times have changed. I don't know what would be the most desirable size handgun to start my grandson on. I take my S&W 9mm and .357when I go, but I'm thinking that may be a bit too much to start with. I don't want to overwhelm him at first. I would buy a gun to train him on if that was the best way to go. What are your thoughts?

Ray

 

[obiwan1]

.22 revolver. That's what I started with as a small child.

 

[GuyC]

I started at about that age with a Browning BLR22 rifle. It was a wonderful one to start with. I sure wish I still had it (I bet that's a common statement).

 

[Ala Dan]

Agreed~!

a .22LR caliber revolver. A Ruger Single-Six Convertible would make for
an excellent beginner's firearm~!

Slowly, let him work up to other caliber's and platforms; as you don't want to
scare him too death.

 

[Sato Ord]

I'll add my vote to the .22. As for brand, I agree with the Single Six. I started with a .22 rifle and graduated to .30 caliber about a year later. I was fife when I started shooting, at twelve he will move up in caliber pretty fast. It won't be long before he wants to shoot the 9mm and .357.

I'll be taking my boy to the range soon. I taught him the basics with a BB gun. He understands safety and basic aiming techniques, and can hardly wait to fire my .22, and the new .380.

Try and get a picture of the grandson proudly displaying his first target for us.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Any .22 Cal handgun will be fine, either a pistol of revolver. You are correct in thinking a 9mm or .357 might be too much right off. You wouldn't want him to develop bad habits. I know at 12 he won't be happy shooting a .22 for long but it would be the best to teach him proper handling and trigger control IMO.

 

[searcher451]

The Ruger Bearcat is absolutely perfect for small hands; it's a wonderful training gun for youngsters, new shooters, women ... you name it.

 

[XavierBreath]

I agree with the .22 handgun. There is no subsitute for the number of accurate rounds fired downrange for building confidence and competence.

I recommend a used Ruger MKII. It is a pistol durable enough for him to keep forever and hand down to his grandchildren.

 

[sig2022shooter]

id agree with the rest and say a .22 would probably be best, but some light .38 loads out of your .357 might be o.k. too.

 

[Texastbird]

If you reload, some target .38s would be great, unless he is really small for his age. When my boys were about that age, they got matching 9mms for Christmas, and still have them many years later.

 

[ShunZu]

I'd have to echo support for the .22. Bearcat. Perhaps the MK II Ruger, if his hands are big enough to handle it easily.

Cheap to shoot, lots of practice won't break Grandpa, and smaller recoil means it won't develop any FUTURE bad habits, such as flinch, anticipation of the shot, etc... often found with youngsters that start with a caliber that's just a bit too heavy for their capability. .22's build confidence. Be sure you put some tin cans out there so he can see the hit and its impact result. SO much more fun for a kid to see what a bullet does, rather than looking at boring old holes in a paper target.

A mixture of both is a good combo.

Enjoy your grandson's enjoyment. And have fun. Life's short.

 

[jakk280rem]

almost any 22 pistol auto or revolver. my brother in law started my 11 yo neice on a taurus 22wmr 8 shot and she took to it like a duck to water. the only ploblem was she wasnt strong enogh to cock the hammer for single action. +1 for a single six convertable or a mkIII 22/45.

 

[JoeSlomo]

.22 ruger MK?? With the bull barrel. CRS...

Get him THAT pistol and not only will he learn, but he will pass it on to HIS son and tell him that "Grandpa gave this to me, and now I give it to you..."

 

[moooose102]

Another Vote For The Ruger Single Six Revolver . If You Are Going To Start Him On A Handgun. Very Safe. You Have To Deliberatly Cock The Hammer For Each Shot. If You Are Consindering A Rifle, A Single Shot, Or Bolt Action .22 Would Make For An Excellent Trainer Also.

 

[timothy75]

I started with bb guns and 22's and by the time I was 21 I'd lost intrest completly. Looking back I regret the fact I was always waiting to shoot the real guns and ran out of patience. Therefor I suggest letting him shoot whatever HE seems most intrested in. I really could have benefited from handloading a 44magnum in high school but I learned to play the guitar instead.

 

[pete f]

start him with a .22 rifle. far easier to understand muzzle control and proper sights etc with a long arm, you can let him graduate to a revolver or pistol later, but start him with a long gun.

I like the marlin tube feed bolt actions as learning guns, you can start with finger loading as a single shot, when he demonstrates safe handling, then load a couple in the tube, and work up, EVERY THING IS A PROGRESSION in teaching safe gun handling.

Safety comes first, its absolute and inviolable. If he breaks one rule, its start over time.

Accuracy and fun come as the safety lesson is learned.

 

[USMCDK]

I'm going to step outta the box here and suggest a shot gun... I was shooting a 16guage when I was 10, my dad would take me out to the sand pits and shoot at milk gallons or targets staples to wood. I think the best way to learn is to learn with what you already have. he's 12 and should have decent sized hands.

Let me put it this way... What did you dad start teaching you with and what did you dad have you shooting when you were 12??? Think hard on this one, can you say, honestly, that what your dad did with you back then has helped make you the shooter you are today??? If yes then follow the foot prints your pops left for you just like the ones that god left in the sand for us (not trying to push religion, just using it for an example)

 

[finz50]

I recommend .22 revolver. If you want to go semi0-auto with him I'd recommend the Walther P22.

 

[Pilot]

I second the Ruger MK II, .22 auto. The standard model is fine. Nothing wrong with a .22 revolver also.

 

[The Bushmaster]

I've been using a Colt Woodsman and a Ruger 10/22 to teach and train my children and now my grandchildren. Though the grips on the Woodsman are a bit large for the smaller hands the pistol is ballanced such that it creates no problem for the small hands.

 

[theNoid]

If you go with the Single Six, he can learn with 22lr and then graduate to 22mag once he ready for more recoil and boom. Not only this but it will be a gun he will treasure for the rest of his life. Most likely, be a gun he USES for the rest of his life and pass it on to his youngin's as well. I am a firm believer that EVERYONE needs at least one 22 and why not start with it from the get-go..

Noidster

 

[Ghost Tracker]

Ruger Single Six .22 is a great start for a pistolero, but I'm a fan of basic gun safety being first taught with a .22 bolt-action, open-sighted rifle (Marlin, Savage, etc.). It works fine as a single shot until the youngster developes the skills to use a repeater, then mount a scope & they'll never out-grow it. Enjoy the process!

Whoops! The OP said "handgun" didn't he? Okay...a Single Six.

By the way, Kentucky Blue - ggGGGGO 'CATS
(Ghost Tracker, UK Class of '80)