Best .22 trainer for IDPA

[Ktulu]

I want to get a pistol that my 10 year old daughter can use to shoot IDPA practices with me. There are several .22 caliber semi-auto pistols out there.

First and foremost I need a pistol that goes bang every time it's supposed to (this includes feeding commonly available .22lr ammo.) Second, I need a pistol that fits a 10 year old girl, and my third concern is the availability of good quality accessories like holsters, mag pouches, etc.

The pistol currently leading the pack is the Walther P22. The only reason is that it fits my daughter's hand very well and she likes the way it looks. My first choice would be a Buckmark but they don't fit her as well.

Anyone have any experience with getting a kid started in practical shooting? Can anyone give me a compelling reason why I shouldn’t buy the Walther?

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I have a Colt Service Ace conversion kit mounted on an Argentine M1927 frame (that's an M1911A1 made in Argentine in the '30s on Colt Machinery, under Colt supervision.)

If you give this conversion kit a reasonable amount of cleaning (I like to soak the floating chamber in Ed's Red when it begins to lead up), it is highly reliable, and quite accurate. The floating chamber doesn't duplicate the recoil of the .45 ACP, but you CAN feel it go into action and it DOES add to muzzle flip -- which is what you want in a gun that duplicates a full-caliber weapon.

 

[Cindog]

Ktulu,

If you are looking for a gun that goes bang every time you pull the trigger regardless of ammo, you may want to stay away from the P22. Do a search and you will see that plenty of people here have problems with the lower velocity ammos. That being said, I still really enjoy mine even though it requires a diet of the good stuff (it's been 100% reliable feeding Mini Mags).

 

[azrael]

I own and use the P-22 all the time...it is at times ammo sensitive..i would stay away from the Blazer ammo...I use the bulk pack wal-mart "special" to play with and the CCI Velocitors for serious business

 

[esheato]

I think the Ruger 22/45 would be a good selection.

Same grip angle and manual of operation as a 1911 type firearm.

Although I'm not sure about holsters and such for it.

The only other concern I have is the grip is fairly thick from front to back. Might be a tad too large for small hands. The bull barrel model has nice balance to it also. Of course, it would mostly depend on her preferences.

esheato...

 

[9x19]

Another option besides the Walther P-22 (Which I like enough to own two of them), is the Firestorm (Bersa) .22LR model.

It is made by Bersa and is identical to their Thunder .380s which are so well regarded by many people here (including me).

Mine has been quite reliable with good ammo, and its smallish like the Walther with decent sights.

Good luck...

 

[George S.]

The 22/45 is a good starting place for a dependable .22LR semiauto. They are relatively inexpensive and the 4" tapered barrel model should be light enought for her to handle and have good balance. Also look at the MKII. The grip is very different but it is slimmer than the 22/45. It is also available in a short taper barrel.

These will be very dependable pistols but the choice of ammo will be a big determining factor. I have found that Winchester Dynapoints from K-Mart are very good for accuracy and dependability for bulk pack ammo.

She should try them out if you have a chance to borrow them or if you can rent them at a range for her.