I'm going to buy my youngest son a 22 LR for Christmas. THe last time I looked at 22 LR pistols Ruger was at Mark 2. Any recommendations would be appreciated.
Thanks, Jeff
Thanks, Jeff
22 LR Pistol Recommendations
- Thread starter 3 Olives
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
Ruger now at Mk IV. New and improved take down and reassemble.
Can't go wrong with a target model or 22/45.
Can't go wrong with a target model or 22/45.
I own two Rugers and am very happy with them, though the Walther P-22 has much to be said for it also. (I have two of them too.)
DeplorabusUnum
Member
I've got a Ruger SR22, a Ruger Mk IV lite, and a Browning Buckmark.
I like them all. The SR22 is just a fun little gun you can throw in your back-pack on a hike and stop somewhere to shoot cans and bottles. Pretty accurate little pistol for just a 3.5" barrel and open sights, and lots of fun to shoot.
The Buckmark is the most accurate of the 3. I put red-dot scopes on the Mk IV and Buckmark, and the Buckmark out shoots 'em all.
The Buckmark is the hardest to take apart and clean. The Mk IV lite the easiest.
Hope this helps.
I like them all. The SR22 is just a fun little gun you can throw in your back-pack on a hike and stop somewhere to shoot cans and bottles. Pretty accurate little pistol for just a 3.5" barrel and open sights, and lots of fun to shoot.
The Buckmark is the most accurate of the 3. I put red-dot scopes on the Mk IV and Buckmark, and the Buckmark out shoots 'em all.
The Buckmark is the hardest to take apart and clean. The Mk IV lite the easiest.
Hope this helps.
Last edited:
I'll be the odd man out and suggest a revolver. The S&W Model 63 4" stainless six shot revolver, adjustable sights, I believe on a J Frame (someone correct me if I'm wrong). I've had mine for years, never a single problem, and it's a very safe way to learn.
I guess I'd ask how old is your son (how big are his hands), what you want to use it for (plinking, learning about shooting, training on a pistol, trigger squeeze on a revolver practice, etc.).
That said you can't go wrong with any of the suggestions -- Ruger, S&W, Walther, or any big name. Do a bit of google research and read some reviews.
When I looked for my 12 year old grandson, the Ruger Wrangler looked good (not really expensive). I'd say a Mark IV was a bit "advanced" for a beginner in terms of price and function, but he will grow into it; and you might look to see if any of your existing guns has a .22 conversion ala my Sig 220.
Another thought is a Sig P250. Double action only (but the smoothest trigger on any pistol I've held) and if you get it in .22 you can simply buy the barrels and mags to upgrade it to .380 (a bit rare), 9mm (very common) and 40, plus the frames come in very compact, carry, and full size and they are very affordable.
Problem I had choosing a .22 -- too many good choices. We settled on a 16 gauge Remington shotgun for slugs as he needed a deer gun more than a .22. If I were buying him something new, it would have been a Sig P250 in .22.
That said you can't go wrong with any of the suggestions -- Ruger, S&W, Walther, or any big name. Do a bit of google research and read some reviews.
When I looked for my 12 year old grandson, the Ruger Wrangler looked good (not really expensive). I'd say a Mark IV was a bit "advanced" for a beginner in terms of price and function, but he will grow into it; and you might look to see if any of your existing guns has a .22 conversion ala my Sig 220.
Another thought is a Sig P250. Double action only (but the smoothest trigger on any pistol I've held) and if you get it in .22 you can simply buy the barrels and mags to upgrade it to .380 (a bit rare), 9mm (very common) and 40, plus the frames come in very compact, carry, and full size and they are very affordable.
Problem I had choosing a .22 -- too many good choices. We settled on a 16 gauge Remington shotgun for slugs as he needed a deer gun more than a .22. If I were buying him something new, it would have been a Sig P250 in .22.
eveled
Member
- Joined
- Jun 9, 2013
- Messages
- 2,612
- Reaction score
- 3,448
I have 7 Ruger MKII's, 2 single sixes, Bearcat, sp101, 317, and 617, my kids all like the 617 a lot. Second choice is one of the singles sixes.
Single six or even a Wrangler would make my kids happy. None of them care for the MKII's.
Single six or even a Wrangler would make my kids happy. None of them care for the MKII's.
hyena
Member
Can you give us more info? How old is he, is this his first gun, what's he going to do with it, etc.
OLDSTER
Member
Ruger MKIV 22/45
A used Ruger stainless single six would be a good choice, and you can always get you money back out of it.
S&W Model 17and 617 are precision instruments.
The Walther P22 is just plain fun to shoot, as is the stainless Bearcat.
I think the single action revolvers are the easiest tool to introduce young folks to handgun shooting.
S&W Model 17and 617 are precision instruments.
The Walther P22 is just plain fun to shoot, as is the stainless Bearcat.
I think the single action revolvers are the easiest tool to introduce young folks to handgun shooting.
DeplorabusUnum
Member
Almost forgot: I've got a 617 K22 that is loads of fun too. Too many good choices
I bought my youngest an inexpensive Heritage for Christmas when she was 15 or 16. That was her intro to shooting a handgun. She does very well with it; I'm sure she'd shoot flies off a dead crow if we could get out more often. (This Christmas she's getting a .38 spl., I think it's a 642, can't remember. It's lightweight, new, no hammer, perfect for coat pocket or secured purse.)
You said pistol, but do revolvers count? That's only why I chimed in about the Heritage. It shoots where you aim and for the price it's a good beginner. Trouble is there's too much to do to empty a cylinder, but I think that all adds to safety practice.
You said pistol, but do revolvers count? That's only why I chimed in about the Heritage. It shoots where you aim and for the price it's a good beginner. Trouble is there's too much to do to empty a cylinder, but I think that all adds to safety practice.
Depending on what you want to spend, don't forget Colt just released a 10-shot revolver called the King Cobra, stainless. I also recommend the Ruger MK IV, in any version you choose.
Rpg
Member
I know most kids appreciate new, not used stuff.
Even so, you might consider a Colt Woodsman. You can find a cosmetically challenged example for a surprisingly reasonable amount in the ballpark of the cost of a new Mark IV Ruger.
Even so, you might consider a Colt Woodsman. You can find a cosmetically challenged example for a surprisingly reasonable amount in the ballpark of the cost of a new Mark IV Ruger.
It does depend on how much you want to spend on a .22 lr for your youngest son and in reading the post's there has been lots of good recommendations. I own Rugers, High Standard, S&W's Model 63's, 17's, 18's and their all great shooters. I bought a S&W M&P .22LR Compact a couple of years ago and it's a very accurate little pistol and a blast to shoot and has a good trigger. The S&W M&P .22LR Compact is worth considering and won't break the bank.
These are all very good recommendations. I think for a youngster a revolver is best and safest to learn on. I bought my son a model 63 when he turned 14 and he still has it at age 55 and loves it. Any of the Ruger Single Six variations are good also and these guns will give him a lifetime of shooting pleasure. Autos are fine but I feel they require some experience before handling. What I am really suggesting is the sequence of acquisition of both.
4barrel
Member
Ruger autos are about bullet proof. I have been shooting since the '70's and and never seen a Ruger fail unless it was minor. Triggers are good out of the box.
3 Olives- I have more questions than suggestions. A lot of variables to consider.
Age, size, shooters maturity, attitude, aptitude, purpose of the gun, how likely is the shooter to train often, budget, etc.
I started my grandsons with youth size 22lr bolt guns before I moved them to single action 22 revolvers. They now have Ruger MK IV 22/45 Lites that they love.
No glass, iron sights only until they learned the basics, but I made sure they were having FUN each time I took them out. If they got tired or frustrated, I backed away for that session and waited until they were ready to go again.
They now shoot any gun of mine they want, but they are both so busy with girls these day, the old man and his guns are back burners!
Age, size, shooters maturity, attitude, aptitude, purpose of the gun, how likely is the shooter to train often, budget, etc.
I started my grandsons with youth size 22lr bolt guns before I moved them to single action 22 revolvers. They now have Ruger MK IV 22/45 Lites that they love.
No glass, iron sights only until they learned the basics, but I made sure they were having FUN each time I took them out. If they got tired or frustrated, I backed away for that session and waited until they were ready to go again.
They now shoot any gun of mine they want, but they are both so busy with girls these day, the old man and his guns are back burners!
Any of the above would be fine. I have a granddaughters who absolutely loves my model 41 and she has become quite a fine pistol shooter and when my youngest grandson started with a model 18 he was using both index fingers to pull the trigger and he was doing well. My point and in my experience how big their little hands are and how old they are doesn't make much difference. Just make sure they are safe and protect their ears and eyes and let them shoot, they will have a grand time and as they grow they will develop into good shooters. Hope I'm not too far off topic..
