Which .22 is Best for Teaching Young Shooters?

[rWt]

I want to purchase a .22LR revolver to send to my brother-In-law in CA for teaching my nephews and nieces and his grandchildren (one day) how to shoot and introduce them to handguns. He has a variety of handguns already but the smallest caliber he has is .22 WMR in a Ruger Single-Nine.

Previously, I sent him a FA97 in 45 Colt/ACP and a Gallagher OM Blackhawk in 45 Colt/ACP (for a nephew).

I'd like to send an "heirloom" gun that will be cherished for generations to come. I have looked a bit at the S&W 17, but I wonder if the heavy trigger pull, especially in double action mode, would be too much and discourage a young shooter. An older NM Single-SIx or NM Bearcat are on my radar.

What have you all used? What do you suggest I consider? Should I also include pistols, like the Ruger MKIV, in my consideration?

Thank you.

[bigbore5]

In single actions, the Single Six with adjustable sights is hard to beat. If you want a double action, it depends.

The Smith 17 and 18 lines are pretty nice, but will require smaller grips for smaller hands. Plus they are not cheap.

My choice would probably be the sp101 4". A good trigger job from a quality smith on top of the purchase price still puts you in at less money than the S&W, with a better trigger than the new Smith's. Also stainless is easier for youngsters to learn gun maintenance on.

[kevshell]

Personally I would send a single action first in a double action as a second consideration. I probably would not send a semi. I say single action first because I believe it's more of a skill builder and slows them down. And I include myself in that. The double action would be a close second for the same reasons.

[AxeHandle]

A nice Single Six would be my choice.

[pleadthe2nd]

I agree with the single six

[bula]

Yup, a single-six.

[potatojudge]

How about a Smith and Wesson 1891, Stevens model 35 or 43 or similar type H&R?

Or go big with a Camp Perry.

I still enjoy a single shot single action, they're as safe as it gets for teaching kids, and those old guns have a charm to them.

Bearcats are sized right, but the action is harder to use than a Single Six.

It's not the easiest to do, but a J frame 22 can be tuned to have a pretty nice trigger. My model 63 with a 4 inch barrel and adjustable sights sees more rounds than all my big bores combined.

The old Colt DA 22s are still a good value I think. OMM or OMT.

Not sure how California would like this, but the old Fiala are neat. They are magazine fed but not semi auto. 

www.gunbroker.com/item/990161610

www.youtube.com/watch?v=GabtQN6Fbf0

[contender]

I'm going to throw in a little difference in the thought process.

First off, you didn't mention the ages or size of these kids.

ALL guns should fit the shooter as much as possible. With kids,, smaller hands & such,, it might need to be more than (1) gun.

I'd look first to see if the kids hands are smaller,, and maybe a Bearcat .22 would be a good starter,, to be accompanied by a Super Single-Six. The Bearcat will fit many smaller hands,, and the Super SS will have options like adjustable sights and a step up to a magnum chambering as they get older.

[kings6]

I agree with starting with a single action. I gave my oldest grandson, he is eight, his great grandpas Colt Frontier Scout and my newest will get my Clements single six 22 lr.

[parallaxbill]

My initial learning as a kid was with my uncle's issue S&W Model 10 service revolvers.
But I taught my kids on my Ruger single sixes . Besides being safe, learning on them instilled a discipline of patience learning a proper loading sequence and an appreciation of learning to hit the target with each shot. That's something that can be less effective with DA revolvers and especially semi-autos, in my opinion.

[parallaxbill]

Jun 4, 2023 10:20:04 GMT -5 contender said:

I'm going to throw in a little difference in the thought process.

First off, you didn't mention the ages or size of these kids.

ALL guns should fit the shooter as much as possible. With kids,, smaller hands & such,, it might need to be more than (1) gun.

I'd look first to see if the kids hands are smaller,, and maybe a Bearcat .22 would be a good starter,, to be accompanied by a Super Single-Six. The Bearcat will fit many smaller hands,, and the Super SS will have options like adjustable sights and a step up to a magnum chambering as they get older.

Definitely agree on the Bearcats for kids with smaller hands. The lesser weight can also be beneficial.

[jeffh]

I broke both my kids in on a Single Six. Eventually the youngest decided she wanted a ratty old "letter-prefix" Bearcat from a show we were attending, but the oldest latched onto my 5.5", bull-barrel MKI. They've both shot other stuff, but the Single-Six (or Bearcat) worked well to teach the to take their tie and pay attention.

[Fowler]

I like S&W double actions. Run them all single action, but easy to open a cylinder and keep it open between shooting. Loading 1 round at a time in the very beginning is easy, very few single actions have a single action trigger pul to even approach a S&W trigger.

They are simpler for the unknowing to learn on in my opinion, easy to open the cylinder and see it is clear and show anyone else as well. Easy to load, last for years and years.

YMMV

[rWt]

Thanks, everyone-great thoughts!

Much appreciated!

[rangersedge]

Doesn't sound like cost is as important as heirloom. You've already given one FA97. Why not another in .22?