Youth .22

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patcbradley

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I am in the market for a .22 for my sons to shoot. I realize there are a ton of them out there are there any to lean toward or away from. Not real concerned with price, I want a good handgun so they stay interested. Ages 9 and 13 both have been shooting for several years but just recently introduced them to handguns. Oldest son shoots .38 and .40 without issue but 9 year old cant hanle the recoil yet. Looking at .22 because I know there will be thousands of rounds goin down range.
 
Go for a Ruger .22 of whatever configuration you prefer.
It should give you a lifetime of service, there is a large aftermarket for them, and they are accurate enough to put a scope on if that's your preference.
 
A very reasonably priced and easy to grip Beretta NEOS would be a good choice for young men. These are accurate, can take a scope, are easy to maintain and quite reliable.

Another good choice is the Buckmark, but the Neos would be more foolproof to clean and takedown for little hands.
 
I'd recommend a Ruger Bearcat. But be warned, he might not be able to get it away from the old man. ;)
 
Depending on how "not real concerned" you are about price maybe you could get them each their own. I hated having to share things with my brother and I can imagine how proud they would be to have their very own pistol.

But whether or not that is an option I would say let them pick out one they like, that might keep them interested more than anything else.

I would recommend Ruger or Browning. I have no experience with Beretta or Walther but hear good things about them.
 
My first handgun I paid for, Dad bought, back in the 60s at about age 13 was a S&W Model 18 - aka K-22 Combat Masterpiece. 4" Bbl. plain ramp front and adj. for w. & e rear sight. A nice used one - search gunbroker -
may run $425-$450. S&W also just re-introduced this model but they're kinda steep but they'll last a lifetime. I have the MOdel 617 with a 6" Bbl.
and it's got the 10 shot cylinder.

Last year S&W also brought back the MOdel 63 "Kit" gun instead of the
medium (K) frame, like the 18, 17 and 617, the 63 is built on the small (J) frame - problem is the only one offered has a 5" Bbl. kinda muzzle heavy and not that handy. A used one could be found with the 3 1/2" Bbl.

Semi-Autos - Ruger .22/45 - it has the grip angle similar to a 1911 the basic inards are like the Ruger Mk II/III.

You might also consider buying a CZ 75B, in 9mm luger and get the Kadet
.22 LR conversion kit for it, aluminum slide, barrel, spring and mag.

How big physically are your sons?

There's also the Berreta 86 and the hard to find 86 Target.

The 18 sure taught me to shoot carrying it on the farm, with a 6 shot cylinder, rabbits, and rattlesnakes, etc.

Randall
 
+1 on the Ruger Bearcat. I'm always a big proponent for recommending that people take a gun out to the range and try it befoe they buy it, just to make sure that the thing fits your hand and eye. But in the case of the Bearcat, it's just about perfect for a young shooter.

More decades ago than I care to remember, I learned to shoot with a Bearcat and still take it out to the range from time to time.
 
In a semi-auto, a Ruger MKII or MKIII would be tough to beat.
For a revolver, a Smith and Wesson or a Ruger Single Six would be excellent choices, depending on whether you want a double or single action.
 
How about Walther P22! This is my first handgun and love it!

walther_p22_3.4.jpg
 
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