cyriaque1946
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model 43 with aluminum frame. light, great trigger
best .22 revolver for small kid.
- Thread starter DaveB57
- Start date
My son fired a 63 4" square-butt starting when he was about 4 years old. Before you call CPS on me, I will say that I stood behind him with my hands literally on his shoulders/arms throughout those early sessions. He's 31 years old now and still has that gun and loves it.
Can't beat an older 34 for a starter. I still love to shoot mine.
Tough choice and lots of good recommendations. Depending on your price range I would probably get a model 18-4 or later 4 inch but there are lots of great 22's out there. I only say 18-4 or later because they are a little less expensive verses the pinned models.
In semi auto a Ruger Mark series with tapered barrel is also a great choice.
18-4
18-3
In semi auto a Ruger Mark series with tapered barrel is also a great choice.
18-4
18-3
38-44HD45
Absent Comrade
I started all three of my kids with a 4" Model 63. I recently started my 5 yeard old grandson with the same Model 63, and I've given his dad and mom an identical one to use in getting all four of their kids started with handguns. The little 4" Js are just about ideal, I think.
Model 34 with 4" barrel. I have taught several to shoot with these excellent guns. Gave my last one to my oldest son in college so he could afford to shoot on a tight budget. I will be buying another one soon.
jpwhel
Member
My grandkids are getting started on my Mod 34-1 and they have a ball shooting it with a lot of supervision. The 10 year old grandaughter does very well with the J frame. She has also tried my Mod 18-4 and has a problem with the size of the k frame.
For a youngster I would recommend the Mod 34 or 63.
For a youngster I would recommend the Mod 34 or 63.
Smith357
US Veteran
A six year old young lady shot my pre 34 (improved I frame) under dad's supervision, with no size issues, it seemed to work very well for her, and i like the way it fits my hand too.
HK-N-THE-HOUSE
Member
+1 for bearcat. Best there is for small child just learning to shoot.
AgentSmith
Member
Another vote for the 63. Small and easy to buff out any minor scratches.
Now have to find one for less than $550...
Now have to find one for less than $550...
ColbyBruce
Member
Like walnutred, I like the S&W #30 & #31 .32 Long revolvers. Good accuracy, not much recoil than a .22 L.R., and cheap to shoot if one reloads. I also like the discontinued S&W #2213/2214 series of semi-autos and the old Beretta 70 series pistols. I started my son off on the S&W #2214 pistol below nearly nineteen years ago.
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ColbyBruce
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Larry from Bend
Member
A 34 would be perfect. This is round butt 34-1. You could start him with the factory (tiny) grips and eventually graduate to something like these Herrett's when his hands got bigger. You want him to HIT targets and the 34 is MUCH easier to shoot accurately than the BearCat (I regularly shoot both).
VAdoublegunner
Member
A Ruger Bearcat seems ideal. Kids just love shooting single actions, especially young ones with that cowboy hero idealism still a role model. It is good to teach them safe gunhandling with as well. Even a Single-Six would be good, although a little larger grip than the Bearcat.
Certainly for a DA revolver, a 4" S&W Model 34 or 63 would be great choices, but they are pretty pricey compared to the Bearcat. And a kid with small hands would likely find them difficult to shoot DA with any success anyway, so most of the time they would be used SA. I would have loved to have had a Model 63 when I was young. But a Bearcat or Single Six would have had more appeal in the heydays of the early 60s TV westerns.
Certainly for a DA revolver, a 4" S&W Model 34 or 63 would be great choices, but they are pretty pricey compared to the Bearcat. And a kid with small hands would likely find them difficult to shoot DA with any success anyway, so most of the time they would be used SA. I would have loved to have had a Model 63 when I was young. But a Bearcat or Single Six would have had more appeal in the heydays of the early 60s TV westerns.
I know this is S&W forum, but I purchased a Heritage .22LR/Mag for my grandson and daughters to learn to shoot with. Made in USA, nice small grip, SA only and very accurate with the six inch barrel. Grip is a little small for me, but easy, simple reliable weapon, less than $200 at Academy. The next pistol was the S&W 22A, once they got proficient with sight alignment. The trigger pull on the SA revolver is very light and really helps with beginners accuracy and confidence. Also, a brick of .22 LR's last allot longer with the revolver, than the Auto. Both are great investments for hours of plinking fun.
CAJUNLAWYER
Member
I'm thinking Ruger Bearcat only because you probably can find one a lot easier and cheaper than the Model 63. I own a 63 and all my kids learned on it. If I had it to do over again, I would have bought a bearcat just so I could have one to go with my 63 
See if a single six is small enough-probably not but if it is get that one.
See if a single six is small enough-probably not but if it is get that one.
G.T. Smith
US Veteran
The only thing I can say is to listen to the folks on this forum, as they are very knowledgeable when it come to Smith and Wesson handguns, which in my experience, are the finest.
Buying a beginner a handgun is like buying a beginner a guitar. If you buy him a cheap gun with poor accuracy or that spits lead or that malfunctions, he may loose interest, or not be a very good shooter.
If a guitar beginner starts with a Gibson or Martin he or she is much more likely to reach their potential before "giving up".
I do not believe in talent. Talent is only desire. A high quality handgun is much more likely to instill that much needed desire to practice and become as good and safe a marksman as he wants to be.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if Gibson and Martin would produce a couple of revolvers?
Peace,
gordon
Buying a beginner a handgun is like buying a beginner a guitar. If you buy him a cheap gun with poor accuracy or that spits lead or that malfunctions, he may loose interest, or not be a very good shooter.
If a guitar beginner starts with a Gibson or Martin he or she is much more likely to reach their potential before "giving up".
I do not believe in talent. Talent is only desire. A high quality handgun is much more likely to instill that much needed desire to practice and become as good and safe a marksman as he wants to be.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if Gibson and Martin would produce a couple of revolvers?
Peace,
gordon
....
If money is no object, find him a Prewar Kit Gun (I-frame, a little smaller than a J). He can learn on that, then sell it later and buy five or six different guns for the money he gets for the one he sells. There's a pretty good KG on Gunbroker right now with a starting bid requirement of $3000.
David, that's the dumbest advice I've ever seen you give, even if you don't mean it. The idea, someone selling their first gun!
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