My grandson is learning how to shoot. He's proficient with a 10/22 and thanks to a wonderfully generous fella who helped us out went on his first deer hunt with his dad with a 20 gauge slug gun.

Now we want to teach him a bit of handgun.

Clearly .22 is the place to start.

But I can see advantages to starting out with either a revolver and a pistol.
I don't want to make a big investment so it ain't gonna be a 41 if it's a pistol or a 617 if we go wheel gun. (And it won't be my Ruger Mark IV that Volquartsen did a very thorough job on, it's got a 2 lb trigger.)

So what have folks experienced teaching handgun fundamentals -- and if anyone has any suggestions for semi-budget guns, send 'em along. (My list includes looking at Beretta Neos, M&P 22,. Ruger Wrangler, PPQ22, H&R 999, Heritage and a whole bunch more. (I figure $350 tops but would love to get something in the $250 range.) (Also looking for exerience teaching with SA only versus DA only vs SA/DA)

Ruger SR22 …. More than one grandkids has learned on one.

It depends on size of kid but I would say best starter gun for kids and most women at $350 would be a 422 S&W. Far as I’m concerned least expensive
22 pistol that has practical accuracy. It’s light, thin and accurate, the target version with adj sights.
Personal choice would be m34 S&W 4”, but not found at $350. Saddle a kid with a range toy that they can’t hit anything with and they loose interest fast.
Either gun bought reasonable can be sold when you are done training and break even on monies.

I have been starting novices off with my 1953 manufactured 22 Masterpiece for decades now. This gun was under $100 when I bought it

Unlike your grandson who has experience, true novices are often scared of recoil and/or muzzle blast before they fire their first shot. I use Aguilla Colibri as the ammunition. It takes away all of those fears after just a few pulls of the trigger

The beauty of a revolver is that you can shoot lower powered ammunition with out the fear of mis-feeds. There are even still plenty of 22 Short and 22 Long ammunition choices out there. Plus you have the Remington 22CB Caps and the relatively new CCI Quiet in the reduced power categories

I have also found that using a revolver slows the novice down. They take more time between shots and learn to control the trigger better.

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"Acta non verba"

You won't spoil the young lad by letting him shoot the MKIV.
He might just smile and give you a hug.

A good used 22LR revolver would be my choice.
4"-6" barrel and a cleaning kit.
SA or DA/SA.
Cross draw holster carries nice in the field.

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Have Fun/Stay Safe

Always thought revolvers were better for new shooters, especially young ones, easier to make safe.
Recall reading that one method instructors would use to cure new shooters of a flinch was to load the cylinder with alternate live and dummy rounds.In light of the recent Alec Baldwin incident, not sure if that's such a good idea.

I suggest a Ruger Bearcat. Small and simple.

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Chris
SWCA #2243 SWHF #292

I like to start new shooters off w/a .22 revolver, four inch Model 63.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

I’ve had the best results with a M34 or a Colt Woodsman.

Picked this up for our granddaughter not long ago.
Needed a serious cleaning, a yoke screw and alignment and will finish it up in the near future.
She'll be 2 in six months.

Cost about $250.
Gringo Grandpa got lucky.

A Bearcat type SA is a great suggestion.

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Have Fun/Stay Safe

I started my son on a Colt 1911, 45 acp. He was cleaning them with me at 5. At 12 I gave him one which stayed in the safe except under adult supervision.

Must have been a good choice. Graduated on a Thursday and went in the Marines on Monday. He signed up delayed entry at 17.

Infantry and Security Forces.

I don't image that would be a good choice for the majority. Then again not everyone is a good choice for The few, The Proud, The Marines.

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Smith, and Wesson, and Me.

I'm in the "revolver is best" camp for a new shooter.
I'd like to suggest a High Standard Double Nine (a.k.a. W101)
Or maybe a Heritage Rough Rider.
Either one will come in under your $250 budget. I would choose the Double Nine over the Heritage - for a few reasons.
1) It is a 9-shot.
2) It can be shot DA or SA
3) It is a swing-open with an ejector star - rather than the tedious one-at-a-time ejecting and reloading of a cowboy SA gun.

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Send lawyers, guns & money...

I agree on the MK IV / Volquartsen. I have that and it's too light.

Consider Glock 44. $369 plus tax.

But at 11 years old, DA revolver is best.

I really like my Heritage Rough Rider when someone asks me to teach them how to shoot. A single action revolver is easy to teach with.

The RR has lasted me a while with no problems. I find it to be a good way to start and then if my student wants to learn more I go advanced with an automatic.

I’d consider his size and strength. My boys are 11 and 12. They can shoot the MK II, Glock 44 and Walther P22, but have some difficulty loading and racking due to hand strength. They handle the 617 better. If your grandson is strong enough, I’d get the gun you’d want him to have five years from now. If not, I’d recommend a revolver like the 617.

I am strongly of the revolver camp, and one with adjustable sights at that.
You want to teach a proper sight picture, and a crisp, clear post-in-notch is needed. You're not likely to find a Single-6 in that budget, but possibly a Rossi or Taurus.

Plus, you can do ball-n-dummy drills with him to show him what flinch is, and make sure he gets past it.

I taught all four of my grandchildren on the Ruger Single Six..It is still my grandaughters favorite pistol.

It has a long enough barrel to help with muzzle awareness, The single action is easy to teach that it is ALWAYS loaded. And mine has the adjustable sights. And as VictorLouis noted above, you can mix some empty chambers in for flinch checks, in addition to to teaching them that, just because it did not go off once, does not mean it won't go off the next time.

I took them from the Ruger 22 to a 32 auto (Sig 38H) so they could learn all the nasty, risky, features of self loading automatics. When they go to the range they are going to encounter all kinds of guns and all manner of folk.

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Kind regards, Heinz

I’m in the start with revolver group, single action if possible. Several reasons and one overlooked by most is The History. When instructor I always stared with early flintlock, then cap and ball then to single actions. Gives a basic knowledge and beginning shooters appreciation of todays technology. Grew up on a farm as my 2 kids did, could go out back door and shoot just about anything. Son was 12, daughter 10 when they got to fire friends 1917 water cooled MG.

Don't rule out a decent single shot pump air pistol in .177 caliber in addition to a 22LR revolver at some point.

I received a #28 Lemonwood 65" flatbow, when I was 10, and was allowed to use it alone and only under adult supervision when friends wanted to try and let some arrows fly.
Master the bow and then firearms will follow was the deal.
Still have that bow.
At age 12 they let me drop some Bats with a 12 gauge.

We hunt with fishing rods in South Florida so fishing/boating skills
were most important to teach the kids in addition to gun safety/rules, at about five years of age, with airguns to start.

Old Floridians in the family advised the kids that fish and ducks are good to eat but everything else tastes mucky.

We were a fishing family back in NYC and will be giving the grandkids their great great great grandfather's Penn reel for Christmas.

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Have Fun/Stay Safe

I like the Ruger mk 4 22/45. A wonderful gun, the right grip angle and your grandson can customize it with all kinds of accessories later. That gun can do everything for years to come for a low entry price, difficulty is finding one.

I trained my Wife, Grandson and Granddaughter model S&W Model 63.
All steel, 3" barrel, with 8 shots. Great trigger and easy to find.

I started my grandson on .22 Colt SAA. And it’s a piece he can keep forever.

Revolver first, later a pistol. The basic fundamentals are easier for a child to learn on a revolver.

My kids (9) and now oldest of grandkids (2/13) have all pretty much learned with Ruger Single Six. Have to load individually, get proper stance and grip, thumb cock, trigger control, great sights and they hit what they aim at. Advance to Model 34, 4", for some DA training, then back to Ruger but with 22 Magnum cylinder. Then old slab-side Browning Buckmark for fun outdoor plinking cans, spinners, ringing small steel plates.

Once they get everything down pat and safely, we jump up to WW II Navy Victory (38 DA), WWII Ithaca 1911A1 (45 acp) and they go from there.

Couple pics grandson when he was 15 and had progressed to center fires, firing the Mod 34 and the Victory. Good control of the recoil on the 38 and tight back on target.

PS: Have a Model 17 too, but the long barrel, heavier gun, and especially the Target grips are just too big and too much when training young folks, and even the ladies at least in our family so these big revo's (Model 25, 14, 17, etc.) come out later when they are comfortable and trained in stance, grip, sight picture, re-load, etc.

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Charlie B
SWCA#3083, SWHF#570

Any .22 off the shelf will have a hard trigger pull by necessity due to the ammo. You could just as easily start him off with a .380.

As others have said anything that kicks or has a hard trigger pull will lead to frustration early on. Shooting from a benchrest will keep things steady while he gets used to the guns function.

But I'm just guessing...

Would totally agree with the revolver first......you might take a look at the Relatively new Ruger Wrangler as a possibility......local stores in Billings had them on sale before Thanksgiving for $149.99

Randy

Our grandson is just turning 9, and the past year has been learning the basics on his 15/22 and can do pretty well. This summer he tried one of my .22’s handguns I had with me, my Victory. It was a tad on the heavy side but he did not flinch nor shy away from it. And again did well on the targets. I used to have a MP compact 22 that likely would have fit him a little better at this age but the Victory has a far better trigger and was more accurate.
But back to targets, one thing we did was to switch up from the paper and use some steel spinners. Those he enjoyed more, and to be honest if a kid is having fun then they may stick with something longer that day. And we also used some of those reactive targets with monsters and zombies. Again to have fun while working on the basics.
I can’t weigh in in using a revolver as I don’t own one, just noting a semi auto can work. As can mixing up the targets for some added fun.

I think a .22 semiauto would be ideal, inasmuch as he will grow up with semiautomatics as the norm. He should learn how to load a magazine, remove it and re-insert it in the gun, and most importantly how to defang the gun once it's loaded. Revolvers are simpler, but are getting less common and the good ones are getting expensive.

I trained my grandson with one of these - a similar one was my very first handgun. Easy to learn sight alignment, sight picture and trigger control with it.

I think any of the basic Ruger pistols would be fine, easy to get and relatively inexpensive.

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

I'm in the revolver camp. Keeping it to the least complicated operational needs will allow them to concentrate on Sight Picture, Breath Control, and Trigger press. When good accuracy and safety operation has been acquired using both single action and double action then look into possibly a Semi-Auto.
A semi auto requires the magazine loading, slide racking, safety engagement and disengagement, round ejection. All these things detract from the initial teaching safe handling and accurate shooting.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

I started my grandchildren off with a Crosman .22 CO2 revolver - the one that looks like a K-22. After that, I moved to a .22 Ruger Standard Model, then a .32-20 M&P. The latter was a good choice, they liked it better than the Ruger - more noise, mild recoil, and they were hitting the target fairly well right from the beginning.

I started the young ones with a .22 rifle, however, I'm sure a .22 revolver would be just fine.
I am in the single-six camp. It may cost a bit more, but he will keep it forever. The mag cylinder is a nice next step, and the cowboy style is desirable.

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"from my cold dead hands" C.H.

Not sure about your price limits, but a used Ruger Standard auto or Single six or Wrangler would be good. If you have any concern about starting with an auto you can have him load only one shot into the magazine at a time until he demonstrates reasonable ability to handle it safely.

Money aside, size & weight of gun are big consideration. A lot of small guns are more novelty or gutbusters than practical guns to teach kids. There is really no age limit, but how many kids are big enough to handle a 1911 even if it was an Ace. When son or grandson is 14 yrs old it’s a different story. Even a S&W m17 is a hefty chunk for a kid.
Rifles are same story. I my family we get a good shooting rifle, which is usually older model gun and cut it to fit the kid. Both ends if necessary.

I learned to shoot with the above handgun-a 1951 vintace RUger 22 auto which I now have in my possession and which will be passed on to my grandson. It still shoots and still only has the original magazine which came with it. Still waiting for it to wear out

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Forum consigliere

A .22LR makes the most sense. No issues with developing a flinch due to recoil, low cost, high round counts per session, etc.

The number one consideration however is whether or not the handgun fits his hand. If the grip is too large and the trigger reach is too long he’ll never learn how to shoot it properly. Don’t get him off on the wrong foot.


The S&W Model 34 and Ruger SP 101 are good choices for DA revolvers and I’m a big fan of the Single Six for a SA revolver and the 85% sized Bearcat if he or she has small hands.

A bit more care is needed clearing an SA revolver, but with the hammer down you know it’s on “safe”.

I’m less of a fan of the Heritage revolvers. That’s partly a quality and reliability issue and partly an issue of buying your son, daughter, grandson, granddaughter, etc a handgun they are likely to keep and pass on to a son or daughter. A Single Six with its higher quality and higher pride of ownership is more likely to make that cut.

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Pistol wise there are a lot more small gripped potential choices and the price points tend to be better, but many of them are polymer framed and less likely to make the heirloom cut.

There’s also the Walther PPK/S .22 LR. It lacks the collectibility of the older PP .22 LR, but from the perspective of owning and shooting both, the PPK/S .2LS is actually a better shooter and the prices are attractive. In the nickel version and with wood grips it’s not a bad looking pistol either.

(I have done a head to head comparison of the two with detailed pictures on this forum and on others. A search for “Walther PP .22LR compared to Umarex/Walther PPK/S .22LR” should get you there. )

The DA pull is heavy even by PP standards, but the SA pull is decent and that’s where you’ll start anyway.


Otherwise, if it fits their hand, the Ruger Mk I or II is hard to beat and they can be found in your price range in very good to excellent condition. I prefer both to the lawyered up MK III or the snowflakley Mk IV that Ruger developed to appease the folks who can’t seem to figure out how to reassemble the earlier marks. It’s not hard.

I learned on a Ruger Single Six. All these years later, I still think a SA revolver is a good learning tool. Forces the shooter to learn sights, grip, trigger control, and not be inclined to shoot fast, like a semi-auto can do. Accuracy trumps speed. I have handled a couple of the new Ruger Wranglers, and they seem like a solid choice for a couple hundred bucks.

Larry

I have used a revolver as a start. My suggestion would be for a smaller frame model that will release cylinder and allow to load/empty the 6-9 rounds in the cylinder. Good training for future when stepping up to larger caliber revolvers. If prefer sa/da so they become familiar with both types of trigger pull.

I started both Grandsons on an old FIE E15 single action Buffalo Scout with a four and one half inch barrel. Smaller frame than a Wrangler, so it fit their hands better. They have both moved on to HR 904s, double action with six inch barrels. I liked the safety aspect of beginning with a single action in teaching new handgun shooters.

The 34 is my go to gun for new shooters.
The 17 and 45/.22 once they got comfortable handling a firearm.

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Revolver for safety reasons, auto for target. Any good DA 22 would work well, Models 18 to 35. Autos from Ruger or a Model 41.

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Front sight and squeeze

What my Dad did with me.

I would never put a semi-auto anything in the hands of a child just learning to shoot. Started my kids off the same way my father taught me. Bolt or lever action .22 rifle to start then graduating to a semi-auto rifle after proving they could handle firearm safely. When you feel they are mature enough then go to a .22 revolver and then a semi-auto pistol only after they have proven they can safely handle a handgun.

Hand guns were banned completely at the outdoor range I shot at as a child after a kid accidentally shot his mother in the back. The K22 I inherited from my father has a zillion rounds through, it was the first handgun myself and my brothers and sister's ever fired. My son's were taught on it and my grandchildren are next in line.

Lots of good suggestions so far.
I'll stress getting him something that fits his hand. Too big or small will make teaching a challenge.
Forget a budget. Buy him a quality firearm. Something that is accurate, reliable and will last. You want him to have fond memories of both the gun and you when he's still shooting it at your age.
I am also in the revolver camp. A S&W Model 34 or 18 would be perfect depending on which fits his hand better. Also perfect to learn good DA shooting.
Be careful of semi-autos. Most of the small ones really aren't that accurate and triggers are often heavy. While I love my Walther PPK/S .22, the trigger is far to heavy for a beginner to shoot well.
If it fits him, I love the Browning Buckmark. Wonderful pistol, extremely accurate, great trigger and very reasonably priced.

I’m with AzShooter.
Just bought my second Heritage Arms 22 with 4.75”bbl. It lets the new shooter take his time and learn the fundamentals. It comes with a safety (hammer block) and was $119.00. I will get the 22 mag cylinder for it this week for $30 with free shipping. One thing I like is you can go from a 22LR with almost no recoil to the 22magnum which does have more recoil.
Once the new shooter can handle the 22 magnum, then you can spend whatever your budget can handle for a nice pistol.

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Personally, I would suggest a single action revolver. Even tho he has some experience with a semi auto, the single action requires very deliberate steps to be taken to load, unload, cock, and fire the weapon which makes for more deliberate thought when handling a short barreled weapon. Just my 2 cents.

Lots of choices out there and we all have our favorites so I won't bore you with mine. My granddaughter started shooting at 11 (now 15) and goes with me to the range whenever she is off from school. I started her off with my H&R 929 to get her used to DA/SA and then my Ruger 22 convertible for just SA and also move her up to .22 Magnum. For a semi-auto I gave her my wife's Browning Buckmark to start with. Great acuracy which makes her feel good. She prefers a semi-auto to revolver in all calibers.

Check out Gunbroker.com especially the C&R area. There is always a variety of older handguns to choose from.

Either the M&P 22, Ruger SR22, or a Ruger Standard. We use the M&P 22 for our youth shooting camp and they work great!. My son learned to be a top notch rimfire pistol shooter with our H&R 999 and later an SR22. He is fast and accurate with both. Personally, nothing shoots better for me than my old Ruger standard 22 lr with a 4-5/8 barrel. I think a bargain as most people think the MarkI-IV are superior, it is a heavy pistol with a very good trigger and while more ammo finicky than a K-22, the weight of the gun minimizes felt recoil very nicely and it will eat just about any standard pressure plated 22 lr...not longs, shorts, etc.

I would consider the Taurus TX22. It has basically the same features as say a S&W M&P Series and is a great place to start concerning modern auto-loading pistols, IMHO. 16-round magazines and mine shoots anything I feed it. *Note* I have heard they can be finicky with some ammunition while others will shoot anything, as mine does. There is some luck involved with "these" but - for plinking - my favorite pistol.---

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Revolver for sure. Given your price constraints you may want to look at a used Taurus 94, Ruger single six, or an older H&R or High Standard. I learned on a Smith Model 18 way back when, but the Smith revolvers are now likely out of your budget. Good luck and thanks for helping to introduce a new generation to the shooting sports.

I have worked with a number of beginning shooters, though all of them were adults.

My most important piece of advice is that when semi-autos are involved, only load one round in the magazine at a time until the shooter is comfortable. Single shot firearms are much safer at the very beginning, but a semi-auto is OK as long as it is temporarily working as a single shot.

Where the OP's grandson is already competent with a 10/22, single loading is less important than it is for brand new shooters. But handguns are still a different animal, and they require special caution at the beginning.

A side effect of only loading one round at a time is that the first lesson includes lots of inserting and removing the magazine, and inspecting that the chamber is empty. Knowing how to safely manipulate the pistol is one of the most important skills for new shooters, so doing lots of repetitions of these skills is good. Once the shooter is comfortable, I let them load three or five rounds, but I still restrict the rounds in the magazine during the first few lessons to keep the focus on shooting well, not quickly.

Regarding pistols for beginners, I like the Ruger Mark pistols, the S&W Victory, or any quality revolver. These good quality, target style, pistols are the easiest for most people to shoot well, and shooting well makes the experience positive.

If the pistol or revolver is double/single action, I would demonstrate the double action, so the shooter fully understands how the pistol works. But I would not have a new shooter do live fire in double action. I am a devoted double action shooter, but I will still admit that double action is hard. And I think a new shooter should get comfortable with single action first.