Need a 22lr for my 10 year old

[Jimi Jah]

Get him a Henry 001 lever .22. He will have a blast with it.

 

[Dvrjon]

Get him a Henry 001 lever .22. He will have a blast with it.

I do love my Henry Golden Boy, but the dang thing is HEAVY. The H001 seems a really good choice.

 

[DCF01]

.22 is good for practice but if your son likes the G43X, do you think he will like the Sig P365, P365 XL or P365 Xmacro?

 

[ChestnutBleach]

Good to hear your kids fared so well.

Not to be argumentative, but let’s look again at the specifications. The G19 and G17 are virtually identical in width and trigger length, which are the primary determinants of grip fit, so there is no difference in how they will fit smaller hands. They are both larger than the G43X, so comparative recoil isn’t really instructive.
View attachment 22559

Height is 5.04" (G19) vs 5.47" (G17). G19 Gen 3 finger groove spacing is more narrow than a G17; G19 will fit smaller hands better.

Brought up the option of a G19 cause G17 was already brought up by the OP. If a G17 is an option, IMO, a G19 should be as well whether a 22lr conversion is also considered or not.

The G19 can be a bit of a challenge to master because it has a lesser frame and slide mass than the G17. A stronger recoil spring slows the slide recoil so it isn’t hammered back, but like all semi-autos, the frame has to be retained in place for the slide to fully cycle. A weak grip (or limp wrist) often allows the frame to travel back under recoil, creating FTF and FTE problems. Reduction of load power compounds these issues (and reloading costs outstrip the cost of a .22). The smaller grip of the G43 was an advantage; the larger grip of the G17 or G19 will not improve the situation.

Again, up to the OP to decide. Yes, a G43X has a smaller grip but it will have more felt recoil. Reloading costs is negligible if he is already reloading.

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On the subject of a .22 handgun, I have a number of them…semi-autos, double action revolvers; single action western style, etc. I also have a bunch of large caliber 1911s, Glocks, SAs and S&W Magnums. I shoot all of them, but make it a point to spend a couple of range days just with the .22s. It slows the world down and allows me to concentrate on the mechanics of the guns and the press of the shot. I’ve been doing this for over 60 years, and my kids and grandkids enjoy being able to shoot all day without being banged up (and I enjoy not going broke on ammo). The .22 practice cleans up their mechanics and removes tendencies to flinch. When they then shoot the larger guns they are confident and very competent.

Best.

Great, you like 22s. Can't remember the last time me or my kids shot 22s. At a minimum, we shoot 9mm, but often run shotguns, 308 or larger rifles, and/or large caliber pistols. Just giving the OP a different perspective. Up to him if it's valid for his situation/considerations.

 

[bluenoise]

I have the AA conversion for my G17 and shoot it quite a bit. We bought our son a Browning Buckmark with a Primary Arms red dot optic when he was ten or 11. We got him a Henry Golden Boy when he was 14. He's 23 now. Both of those guns are still favorites when we do some shooting. I especially like plinking from the back patio with the Henry using "Colibri Subsonic Sniper" rounds. I don't need earpro for that and I've got the sight elevation dialed in for that velocity. That little rifle is very well balanced, so it's easy to hit bullseyes without a rest.

My wife does not like shooting the G17, either in .22LR or 9 mm because the grip is too fat for her hand. She compares it to holding a 2x4, which is obviously an exaggeration. That said, a .22LR conversion in a full-size frame may not be enjoyable for your son's grip size.

 

[shab21]

He has a 10/22 Ruger which is practiced with starting at 5 years old. He is now shooting my AR and .308 bolt rifle.

I want to start him on the .22 so he can get comfortable behind the pistol without the recoil of a 9mm, I picked the g43x to rent due to it being available but will go back and try revolver, SR-22 and Mark IV.

 

[shab21]

Good to hear your kids fared so well.

Not to be argumentative, but let’s look again at the specifications. The G19 and G17 are virtually identical in width and trigger length, which are the primary determinants of grip fit, so there is no difference in how they will fit smaller hands. They are both larger than the G43X, so comparative recoil isn’t really instructive.
View attachment 22559


The G19 can be a bit of a challenge to master because it has a lesser frame and slide mass than the G17. A stronger recoil spring slows the slide recoil so it isn’t hammered back, but like all semi-autos, the frame has to be retained in place for the slide to fully cycle. A weak grip (or limp wrist) often allows the frame to travel back under recoil, creating FTF and FTE problems. Reduction of load power compounds these issues (and reloading costs outstrip the cost of a .22). The smaller grip of the G43 was an advantage; the larger grip of the G17 or G19 will not improve the situation.

//////////

On the subject of a .22 handgun, I have a number of them…semi-autos, double action revolvers; single action western style, etc. I also have a bunch of large caliber 1911s, Glocks, SAs and S&W Magnums. I shoot all of them, but make it a point to spend a couple of range days just with the .22s. It slows the world down and allows me to concentrate on the mechanics of the guns and the press of the shot. I’ve been doing this for over 60 years, and my kids and grandkids enjoy being able to shoot all day without being banged up (and I enjoy not going broke on ammo). The .22 practice cleans up their mechanics and removes tendencies to flinch. When they then shoot the larger guns they are confident and very competent.

Best.

this sums it up, I want him to work on mechanics while not having to worry about larger caliber recoil.

 

[NATEWA]

Get him a Henry 001 lever .22. He will have a blast with it.

Yes - I have one with a red dot. Let a friend shoot it with CCI quiets.

“I don’t think it shot anything.”

“Yeah, it did but it shoots low with subsonic ammo. Aims a couple of inches higher.”

Ting.

“That’s crazy”

 

[Jimi Jah]

I do love my Henry Golden Boy, but the dang thing is HEAVY. The H001 seems a really good choice.

I also love my Golden Boy but that octagon barrel is heavy. The H001 uses the lightweight round barrel.

Henry also makes the H001 in a "youth" version. Smaller and lighter, intended for youngsters.

 

[Dvrjon]

I also love my Golden Boy but that octagon barrel is heavy. The H001 uses the lightweight round barrel.

Henry also makes the H001 in a "youth" version. Smaller and lighter, intended for youngsters.

In CA, they can’t market to youths, so that is the “Henry Compact 22 Long Rifle”.

“It's Ideal For Young Shooters, Or For Adults Who Desire A Compact Rifle In The Field.”

 

[Nardo1895]

Don't like the Walther much. It is sensitive to a limp wrist and can be prone to jamming after awhile (maybe they fixed that?). Not my wrist mind you, but I know two women who have had trouble with them due to failure to keep a rigid shooting hand/arm. Kid might have a similar problem. Obviously that is a shooter issue, not a firearm issue, but other 22s are more forgiving. The Ruger SR22 seems pretty good. Also don't forget the Browning Buckmark. Lots of different submodels of the Buckmark available.

 

[Woody]

this sums it up, I want him to work on mechanics while not having to worry about larger caliber recoil.

Try Sig Mosquito, just use good ammo.

 

[ikeo1]

The M&P 22 was pretty fun as well. I recently sold one on here. Same ergo's as the fullsize but 22lr.

 

[Glassmtn]

I ran an advantage conversion on a 30sf and it was ok. It liked to run wet with oil and was DIRTY. Have you thought about starting him off on a revolver? There are a lot of good lessons to be learned from a single/double action trigger.

 

[Warpspeed]

I started with a Browning Buckmark in 22 pistols. No real complaints to be told.

My most recent 22 pistol is a S&W 617 in 4" and 10 shot. If the K-frame revolver fits him, they are a hoot.

 

[2muchsoysauce4allthisrice]

Took my son to the indoor range to shoot pistols for the first time. He had a blast shooting the ranges g43x. Of course is off roster and he did not like any of the Mark IV. Not paying $1300 for a g43 so I looked into conversion kits for g21 or g17 that are from Advantage Arms seems like a good option. Question I have for the forum;

1. Anybody have a g43x for less than $1000 to sell?
2. Any experience with conversion kits?
3. Other 22lr options

I want to start him on a 22 pistol like I did with rifles. He is shooting my AR in .223 and 5.56 but we built up to that by increasing his skill level, I want to follow the same path for pistol.

You can sometimes find lightly used 43x for $700-$750 on a good day; sometimes it might be $800. Just need to wait around and look around. If you want it brand new then most likely yes $1200 area; better day $1000.

If he likes the 43x; why not let him try a sig p365? That’s on roster and is comparable too it.

 

[DB>)>]

Another vote for the SR22P, it's a fun little gun to shoot. I've got a couple of them, may be selling one soon, just because I've got a few .22's and need to thin the herd. My wife loves hers, so I can always shoot that...

My kids (older) really like the LCPII/22, it's a pocket size with very basic fixed sights, but bang/buck ratio is good.

IMO revolvers are enough different from "modern" semi-autos that they build a somewhat different skill set, take more time for reloads, and take more patience (which can be good or bad, depending on the individual).

Whatever you get, pick up a couple extra mags and a 250+ round box of cheap ammo per expected range trip, and it's a good way to practice the basics without spending a lot or ending up fatigued from recoil/report.

 

[bonesurf]

It’s not a handgun, but the fun of a Henry lever in 22lr cannot be overstated. Totally different direction but…..maybe consider it.

 

[bergmen]

Another .22 option in handguns is a Ruger LCRx. Eight round DA/SA, lightweight, handy, very rugged, accurate. Being DA, unloading and reloading are far simpler than a SA revolver. Nothing wrong with those, I have several but youngsters can get annoyed with the time and complexity of unloading/reloading.

 

[NorCALSpeed]

Another .22 option in handguns is a Ruger LCRx. Eight round DA/SA, lightweight, handy, very rugged, accurate. Being DA, unloading and reloading are far simpler than a SA revolver. Nothing wrong with those, I have several but youngsters can get annoyed with the time and complexity of unloading/reloading.

View attachment 35295

I wanted to buy one of these (and still do) but I felt they were a little expensive for a .22LR. "Expensive" is all relative, of course.