Question about 22 versus a.380

[paulh]

Looking for a semi auto for a twelve year old. His dad thinks a 22 would be perfect . I think a 380 would be a better fit. In either case which pistol would you recommend and caliber? He was looking at Beretta 22 but the weight unloaded was like almost 2 pounds. So weight is also a consideration

 

[ChalupaCabras]

What would possess you to get a .380 for a 12 year old? .380 was made for small carry pistols back in the olden days when you couldn't get a reliable compact weapon chambered for a major cartridge... The kid isn't going to be carrying the gun, so there is no point.

Buy the kid a Ruger 22/45, a Browning Buckmark, or a Beretta Neos.

 

[crispy]

His dad is right.

Cheaper to shoot. He's not going to "carry".

 

[OutdoorDad]

What beretta? Target 87?

Smith 41
Ruger I,II,III
High Standard
Woodsman
etc

all will be "forever" pistols.

.380? Depends on what you choose. I have a few. Love some of them. But none are "forever" pistols.

 

[IndyGlockMan]

.22 all the way.
Everybody young and old should have a .22
After that, get a 9mm. Just skip the .380

Top of my list would be:
Ruger Mark 3
Ruger SR-22
I would also recommend a Ruger 10/22 rifle.
Ruger makes some good .22's and they have great product support. Accessories of all kinds out the ying yang.

 

[Bigtanker]

What kind of shooting experience does the boy have? This will make a difference.

If he is a beginner, by all means a .22 is where to start. If he has shot before and can handle larger guns, a 4" .38 would be my suggestion. You can get or make really light loads some he can learn without the recoil. Also with the limited capacity of 6, speed won't be a factor and he can concentrate of technique and accuracy.

 

[ChalupaCabras]

Side note: The old reliable .22 pistols already mentioned (Ruger, Browning, Beretta, Hi-Standard, ect.) are awesome long term guns, but if the kid likes the modern looking stuff, there are a lot of good .22 caliber replicas of service pistols on the market now (S&W M&P22, Browning 1911 .22, act). May be another option.

Side Note #2:

Where and why did recoil come into the discussion? The kid is 12, not 2. Even a 12 year old girl can be taught to shoot a 9mm or a 38 - that is a training and mindset issue, and not a strength or physics issue.

 

[SSGSAD]

His dad is right.

Cheaper to shoot. He's not going to "carry".

22/45 like the pic, mags, are EASY to change ..... Button on the side, like a .45 ..... Not on the bottom of the grip .....

 

[pudly]

Yup. Definitely start with a .22. I'm a big Ruger fan, but there are a lot of good options out there.

 

[Mgderf]

Dump the .380 idea.
.22lr all the way. Semi-auto or revolver, .22lr is a much better fit for all new(er) shooters, and a must for plinkin' range fun.

I'd like to have one of the Browning 1911's in .22lr
Stay away from the Chiappa 1911 in .22lr. You WILL be disappointed.

 

[Twangbanger]

What about 380 is a better fit? (Not talking about size of pistol here - there are small guns in both calibers - but rather what about the caliber is better?)

 

[Bennettjh]

Definitely .22. Most of us on here could trace our beginnings back to a .22.

Ruger 22/45 is a very popular piece.

 

[yepthatsme]

I agree with the others. Go with a .22. Much cheaper to shoot for a 12 year old.

 

[Hoosier45]

Another vote for a Ruger MKIII or 22/45.

 

[VERT]

22 for the win.

Silly as it sounds I will probably start my son on a 9mm next year. I can reload 9mm for about the same price as 22 and can actually find the materials.

Not it sure that it matters but steel challenge and the scholastic pistol program requires .22 or 9mm. 380 is not an option.

 

[BowhuntnHoosier]

Absolutely start with the .22. Then completely skip the .380 as ammo is very expensive to shoot. Go right to the 9mm after the .22

 

[TB1999]

22 for sure

 

[HoughMade]

My 10 year old shoots my M&P 22 well and it made for an easy transition to the M&P 9. Yes, a 10 year old shooting a 9mm. Actually, he first shot it when he was 8.

We generally stick to the .22 for fun, though.

 

[Hornett]

My first handgun was a .22 H&R revolver.
I traded that for a Ruger Mark I when I was 16.
40 years later, I still have that Ruger.

So, yeah, .22 and 22/45 is an excellent choice.

 

[ajeandy]

.22 ruger 22/45 /thread