22 pistols
 

I have a Ruger 22/45 MK-III. Built so the grip ergonomics are the same as a 1911...

http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firear...10109&return=Y

The Kid does not run around in the backyard and "play Joe", he is a very serious Dude.

I was thinking about that too.

Thanks for the recommendations. Billy, I like the looks of the Ruger. I'm going to look around for a while. I really like the SA Operator and I want to be as happy with the next one.

Concur with the recommendation above. I also have the Kimber 22 / 1911, and have put together two additional 1911/.45acp/.22 caliber conversions. Often the .45acp 1911 .22cal conversions are ammunition dependant to the higher performance rounds, increased cost, and do not allow for functional thumbs high hand positions on the frame.

Although there are some good 1911 conversions out there, many are not and can be waste of money, while the dedicated .22 cal pistols such as the Ruger are always spot on.

I have an 8 year old girl who will start IPSC competitions next year and plan to use the Glock-17 .22cal conversion or the Ruger option mentioned above.

Very hard to go against the proven and all-around best buy Ruger series, but for one that's not finnicky with ammo, all steel construction, usw., may I suggest the CZ Kadet. Hundreds of high velocity, low velocity, subsonic rounds of different brands and only one failure to cycle/double feed. I would pit its accuracy against the Ruger series. Also very ergonomic for 1 hand firing, even with the left hand.

With .22 conversion kit, or any .22 built resembling a full size pistol, extra magazines can be pricey, more so than the full size, so that's another factor to consider.

The .22 conversion would be my recommendation as well.

I run a Kart .22LR conversion on top of an aluminum 1911 frame and my kids love it.

TR

My recommendation would be the Ruger MkII or the 22/45.

We sold 100+ of those some years back and the warranty issues have been almost nonexistant.

The design is very robust and will keep ticking for a long time.

I bought a used MkII, made in 1991, a couple of years back and it has also been 100% reliable.

I started with a Daisy BB gun at 7yrs, went up to a Benjamin single pump pellet gun at 8yrs, got a .22/.410 O/U to carry while my family went Pheasant hunting at 9yrs, started to shoot a Wallther PPK .22 at 10 yrs. At 11yrs started to use a MkII for competition and swithched over to a .45 at 13. I was lucky to get a lot of formal training for the following 2 years and Mom & Dad were both nationally ranked shooters so any troubles I had with the .45 (flinching & milking) were addressed right away. I would echo what others have said about delaying introduction to the larger calibers.

The Beretta Neos is a good option as well. It has a low price, it eats any ammo I throw at it, and it is very simple to maintain.

Here is a video I found of a person demonstrating the takedown procedure:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCzHhclACCs

I paid $200 for mine about 2 years ago now, and I've been happy with it.

Probably my favorite feature is the extended buttons on the magazines, it makes reloading the magazines a very simple and non-annoying task.

I believe the barrel lengths available are 4", 6" and 7.5" if memory serves.

I've attached a picture as well (not mine.)

Started my girls on a Bb Gun and went to 22 Long Rifle/410 overunder, I can not remember the maker, I think it was a Sears Savage, when it comes to teach kids, I like a 22 rifle, cheap, easy to instruct, local tourneys.
My oldest, 23 now, uses a 9mm Browning, she loves it ( Browning HP ).