Single shot .22LR?

[Aguila Blanca]

I am considering the notion that a single shot .22LR handgun might be a good platform for introducing my granddaughter to handgun shooting. Problem is, when I Google on the above, all I get is Derringers and I would prefer to teach her on something that's shaped a bit more like a "real" gun.

What's out there? Anything?

[RadioTech]

Keystone Sporting Arms is making a single shot .22 pistol based on the Cricket rifle action.
Retail around $200.
Check out

http://specialtypistols.infopop.cc/eve/forums

There is information in the Group Purchases section.
Blued, stainless, walnut, laminated, with Williams FireSites.
Brian

[Old Grump]

I would think a single action revolver would work for you, you can load as many or as few rounds as you want. It looks like and feels like a real gun because it is and a transition to a larger caliber or to double action will be easier if she is already used to the platform. Other than the toy guns like the belt buckle guns and derringer style the only single shot 22 cal pistols that I know of are air pistols.

[isp2605]

The Thompson Center can be had with a .22 LR barrel. The grip may be a tad big for a small hand. The upside would be it gives you the option of buying another barrel if there are other calibers you want to shoot.

[henrymartin]

+1 on the SA revolver. A nice Single Six would serve well, and if you don't want to spend the money, get one of the Heritage Arms copies of the Single Six. They can be had new for under $175 with both .22 and 22 Mag cylinders.

[Sunray]

Like Old Grump says, you can load as many rounds as you want in any firearm. A handgun has to fit the kid's hand no matter what it is though.

[Aguila Blanca]

We already have a Single Six Convertible, but using it as a single shot is a bloody nuisance.

RadioTech, thanks for the idea. I can't view the link because I'm not registered on that site, but I'll see if I can Google up the Cricket pistol.

[Bullseye57]

Here it is on gunbroker: http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=131524750

R,
Bullseye

[George S.]

I would think that something like a Ruger MKIII or 22/45 would be a good introduction to handgun shooting. While pistols like these are semi-auto, if you only load one round in the mag, it's a single-shot!

[toivo]

Maybe something like this?

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=131973447

[Aguila Blanca]

Originally Posted by toivo

Maybe something like this?

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=131973447

That's MUCH more what I had in mind.

I have a Ruger Single Six. I have a Ruger 22/45. I want a pistol that's designed to be used as a single shot. It's imprtant to me so I can sure there's no way the kid can load it up if I have a lapse of attention. When I'm confident she's ready to advance to something with multiple rounds in it, we'll decide what to move up to then, and not before. My wife HATES firearms, so her granddaughter has had zero exposure to them but she has picked up all the bad habits she sees in the movies, so we're going to take baby steps here.

The Cricket sounded interesting, until I saw the photos. It's about the ugliest thing I've ever seen.

Thanks, toivo.

[GoWolfpack]

You could try your 22/45 with the magazine out. There's no way there could be more than one round in the gun without the magazine.

I've heard my dad tell stories about playing with his uncle's .22 rolling block single shot pistol. I found one here www.iar-arms.com/rolling.htm but the company says it's no longer available. Apparently it was a reproduction of the remington 1871 rolling block pistol. One of the 19th century reproduction companies might still make one.

[El Tejon]

I purchased a Savage 101 for my nephews a few years ago.

It seems ideal as a trainer.

[BothellBob]

I am considering the notion that a single shot .22LR handgun might be a good platform for introducing my granddaughter to handgun shooting. Problem is, when I Google on the above, all I get is Derringers and I would prefer to teach her on something that's shaped a bit more like a "real" gun.

What's out there? Anything?

!!!Anything??? How about a free pistol, or does that fail the "shaped like a 'real' gun" test?
Stevens and S&W made some single shot target 22lr handguns about 100 years ago. They still show up at gun shows and on the internet, but only occasionally. They can be a bit expensive, but as collectables they hold their value well. Finding one in "shooter" condition might set you back only a few hundred.
Inattention is a real concern with new shooters. My grandkids are still too young, but I don't intend to introduce them to handguns until they have proven themselves on bolt action single shot rifles, bolt action magazine fed, and semi-autos. Once they show that kind of discipline they can start pistol the same way I teach it to adults: double action revolver off a rest, load one - shoot one, until they are very comfortable and safe with those operations.
-BothellBob

[toivo]

It's kind of fun hunting around Gunbroker for this stuff. Here's one of the Smith and Wessons, but I think it might be more than you want to spend for a kid's gun:

http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIte...Item=131616699

Here's a Stevens:

http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIte...Item=131835516

And these are kind of cool--I've never seen one before:

http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIte...Item=131839413
http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIte...Item=132141348

Here's a bunch more Savage 101's--funny that one seller calls it "rare," but there are four of them on Gunbroker as we speak:

http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIte...Item=131841531
http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIte...Item=131843795
http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIte...Item=131935621

Good luck!

[Big Daddy Grim]

+ 1 Thompson love mine

[JCMAG]

This would make any kid do a backflip

Although, you probably don't need to get it from Bowen -- right from Ruger will do nicely.

Vive le Bearcat!

[Aguila Blanca]

I love the Bearcat.

But it's not a single shot.

I appreciate the efforts to help out, lads, but ... I want a SINGLE SHOT PISTOL. I have .22 revolvers, and I have .22 autoloaders. I want a SINGLE SHOT PISTOL.

[Jim Watson]

Well, then, you are pretty well locked into the second hand market because I don't think there is a second hand .22 pistol in production other than heavy and expensive hunting and target pistols.

[crushbup]

I appreciate the efforts to help out, lads, but ... I want a SINGLE SHOT PISTOL. I have .22 revolvers, and I have .22 autoloaders. I want a SINGLE SHOT PISTOL.

And people have given you recommendations for guns that are either single shot or readily used for single shots only. No need to shout when people are helping you.

[toivo]

And people have given you recommendations for guns that are either single shot or readily used for single shots only. No need to shout when people are helping you.

I can understand the frustration, though. I've noticed in all kinds of forums that no matter how much you say you DON'T want something, people will still try to tell you why you SHOULD want it. I think he has perfectly valid reasons for not wanting a single-action revolver, but people keep suggesting them.

BTW, when I was browsing "single shot" in the "pistols" area of Gunbroker, I was surprised at how many single-action revolvers were in there. Either there are a lot of people who are confused about the difference between "single action" and "single shot," or the attitude that "you don't really want a single shot" is widespread.

[JCMAG]

It's not so much that there is any confusion as there isn't a new production pistol out there that you're looking for. Nor are there really common used pistols that would suit a young shooter that I am aware of. I've neither seen nor heard of a Crickett handgun before. Neither google nor their catalogue has any sign of one. (ETA: The Crickett handgun has been found, but it is apparently not common at all. Also, a bolt action handgun doesn't seem to be the ideal tool to train for other, non-bolt action handguns.)

There are single shot handguns out there--used, mostly very old--and I won't repeat them because they've all ready been mentioned. I and most others who've responded so far don't think they're good for young shooters.

Single shot pistols, unlike the many single shot rifles, are performance driven or are based upon performance driven models of larger, more powerful calibers. As a result these pistols are quite large and would be abhorredly unwieldy for a small shooter.

Single action is probably the best you're going to get in a smaller size than the Thompson, ergonomically well suited for a young shooter, and well supported by 'smiths and aftermarket parts.

Modern manufactured single shot pistols that I am aware of: Thompson center (big), Freedom Arms (big, expensive, and, erm, not yet existent).

Good luck finding something. Maybe you can smoke out a discontinued youth model encore of some kind. Or.........





Bearcat.

[Aguila Blanca]

Originally Posted by crushbup

And people have given you recommendations for guns that are either single shot or readily used for single shots only. No need to shout when people are helping you.

How much single-shot shooting have you done? And how well do you remember being a kid?

First point -- using a revolver or a semi-auto as a single shot is possible, but it is not easy or convenient. Doing so requires using the firearm in a way other than the way it was designed and intended to be used. While they can be used as single shot firearms, I would not say they can be "readily" used as such. And certainly not by a child who does not know or understand guns and for whom having to learn to use a gun in a way it was not intended to be used would only be a distraction from the purpose of the instruction, which is to handle a gun safely.

Second, I have explained why I do not want to begin with a firearm that is capable of being loaded with more than one round. When I feel the child is ready for that, I already have the guns. What I need for now is a single shot handgun.

I fail to comprehend why that's so difficult to understand or to accept.

[JCMAG]

I fail to comprehend why that's so difficult to understand or to accept.

So be it, so be it.



Good luck.

[RecoilRob]

Just thinking outside of your box a little bit......Have you considered a muzzle-loader? Single shot. VERY safe. Easy to download to non-existant recoil levels. Makes a big puff of smoke and nice deep BOOM!! Many target sighted pistols available that shoot very well.

I know it isn't the 22LR you wish, but I do remember being a child and would have loved, absolutely loved learning to load and shoot a caplock pistol. Makes them appreciate the cartridge guns when they progress to newfangled things.

Really, not trying to vex you and sincerely trying to help. Good luck in your work with the kids.