Best .22 auto (maybe revolver?) for boys

[raven5]

Looking at getting a .22 auto for my twin boys, turning 8 soon, for a little intro to autos.

Can't decide on the best models. I like the Walther P22 and maybe SIG Mosquito because of the smaller grips for their smaller hands, however they've been known to be finicky with ammo.

Got some other suggestions? Mark II or III? Browning Buckmark? Beretta NEOS.

What are some suggestions you guys have?

Reliability is a great concern obviously. A given but I say that because I know some guys that love their SIG's and Walthers but are limited to certain types of ammo without having constant problems. Might not matter to them, but that bothers me.

Thinking about a Bearcat as well, but looking at autos at the moment.

[derekr]

I went with the Ruger 22/45 for my boys. Accurate, light and will feed most every ammo reasonably well.

[tek4260]

The Bearcat would probably be the best fit for them, plus they are a pleasure for us big kids too.

[dmize]

I have a Walter P22 that fits my 11 year old perfectly,with him shooting its gets a steady diet of whatever is the cheapest. As long as the chamber gets brushed out occasionally (same as my MarkII Competition Target) it never has a hiccup and it is quite accurate.
I also have a Neos........its a reliable pistol and with the intregal scope rail you can mess around with red dots and even scopes the trigger on it isnt the best in the worl and the grip is just plain strange and uncomfortable.
I was going to buy a Bearcat but at my shop the price was just a bit ridiculous.

[AxeHandle]

My chioce was the Bearcat... Thoses semi autos are just a little to ready for the next shot to suit me. After the proper handling skills have been properly drilled into their heads the autos can be introduced.

[dmize]

Valid point Axe. I neglected to notice that his boys are 8.

[Ken O'Neill]

I also recommend a revolver for safety reasons. A Bearcat or Single Six should do nicely, as well as one of the J frame .22's, depending upon the size of their hands and trigger reach.

The Mk. II Target Models, in all versions, are superb, but I'd save them for later.

[AxeHandle]

Shop around a bit on the bearcats. I looked back at my records and see that I paid $388 each for my new stainless copies back in 2008. You can shoot them as is or trick them out a bit. I got Sack Peterson to whip up some elk stag grips, installed spring kits, and picked up some steel EJR housings for mine.. My idea behind two Bearcats was so that my young shooter and I would be shooting the same thing. Sounds like you might need three copies!

[robl]

The Bearcat or Single six. I learned on a couple old .22 Single Actions (And one broken down to DA only Iver Johnson) I shot a lot of small game and really learned about gun handling, and how to make every shot count, unlike so many of my contemporaries that had .22 autos.
A Bearcat would be ideal.

[Boge Quinn]

Guess what I'm gonna say!

BEARCAT!

[Shakey]

Gosh, I kind of hate posting this after reading what Boge posted while I was composing this off-line. But, I guess there's room for a little difference of opinion. It'd not that I don't love my Bearcat, I am just having trouble learning to shoot it well.

----------------------------------------------

Raven, your answer depends more on the kids than anything else. For example, I have 3 grandkids in the 9 to 13 yr range and they are all very different in how they approach firearms. The youngest is intrigued with guns, anxious to learn about them, and is the only one I would trust with an auto. It takes both hands and a mighty effort for him to hold my Ruger 7" bull barrel on target but he does it and hits pretty well (considering). More importantly, he maintains muzzle control after the shot. The oldest is not really interested and has zero attention span. He can't shoot anything well and makes me nervous with a BB gun. The middle ...well, he's in between but closer to the youngest.

As for the guns, I do believe a revolver is more appropriate, not only for the obvious safety reason but it also lets - no requires - a person to handle the gun more. Whether single or double action, a revolver requires much more interaction ...opening, closing, indexing, loading, unloading, cocking, ... which I feel helps develop familiarity. A revolver just gets more fondling than an auto and that's good.

Speaking now only of the two who are interested in shooting, they were both immediately attracted to the Bearcat (who wouldn't be?) but found it difficult to shoot. A Single Six turned out to be easier for them to hit with even though it is a stretch for their small hands. When a S&W 34 was thrown into the mix it sort of conflicted them. They enjoy shooting the Single Six more but hit better with the M34. Anxious to see how this plays out over time.

Don't believe you would go wrong with either a Single Six or J-frame S&W. As neat as the Bearcat is, I think it is harder to master and probably not ideal for most beginners. Again though, look at your own kids. They may do well with anything. Remember too, spend all the time with them you can ...they not going to be 8 very long. They'll be teenagers about day after tomorrow.

Shakey

[COR]

Bearcat.

(close second... Single Six convertible with 4 5/8" tube)

[coyote]

for kids, i agree with Shakey.

while a bearcat is fun and the SS is easier to hit with, i'd personally go with a smith kit gun.

[rep1954]

I have another vote for the Bearcat but only get them each thier own. That first gun is something special.

[Tx Gun Runner]

Personally for new or young shooter I would never let them use a bottom feeder unsupervised . A wheel gun with a swing out cylinder is my 1st choice , it is harder to miss a live round left in gun unlike a SA gun or auto feeder .