.22 for boy to use in bowling pin comp?

[Patton63]

My 8-year old son and I shot our first bowling pin match today - six bowling pins at 10 yards and six steel plates at 15 yards. I shot my 1911 and he shot his Walther P-22. He did great - was incredibly safe, respected the range officer's commands, and knocked down a few pins. Not surprisingly, he was hooked and wants to compete in the monthly competition and join the sponsor's kid's bowling pin team.

The Walther is a great little gun, but it isn't cut out for competitions. He is interested in shooting a 1911 "like Dad", and I'm happy to get either a dedicated 1911 .22 or a .22 conversion (assuming you can find one in stock anywhere). I don't, however, want to overlook good options for him to consider as he grows into this sport - e.g., Ruger, etc.

Any thoughts or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Dylan in AZ]

Re: .22 for boy to use in bowling pin comp?

My opinion; so take it for what it's worth or throw it in the trash:

The Walther P22 is a VERY fine pistol, at least mine was. And it held up with the target grade MKIII we had. Not as accurate, but accurate enough. So my opinion says keep him shooting the P22 for a while longer until he can reliably knock those pins down. Make that his goal, if he can get them pins down he can upgrade to the 1911 style 22's. I gurantee if he can't shoot them now with a P22, then he won't be able to shoot them with another pistol either.

I don't know anything about the rimfire 1911's so I won't comment on any of them.

Again, just my .02

 

[gathert]

Re: .22 for boy to use in bowling pin comp?

I would highly caution against using a .22 on a bowling pin. I've shot them and all I get is a scary bzzzzzzzzzzzzz of a ricochet flying off to who knows where, and that was from 25 yards.

However, the GSG 1911 that is a .22 shoots very nicely. I would look up that one.

 

[sinister]

Re: .22 for boy to use in bowling pin comp?

My limited experience with the P22 is it has wonderful ergonomics while everything else about it is horrible.

The slide is some kind of pot metal and is not very durable. The safety detents tend to loosen after use so the pistol will switch itself to safe while firing. The barrel fouled incredibly quickly.

After three trips to Smith and Wesson (the Walther US factory warranty service people) they gave me a check for my purchase price. I explained I didn't want a check (as it's a fun pistol), I wanted a pistol that worked right.

I got the check.

A light but accurate and dependable pistol is the older Colt Woodsman. I'm also curious to know if anyone has a Beretta M87.

 

[tpr564]

Re: .22 for boy to use in bowling pin comp?

My P22 has been running like a champ. However, if I ever need another .22 pistol I'll go back to a Ruger or try the GSG 1911.

 

[PRDRIVER]

Re: .22 for boy to use in bowling pin comp?

If you're not only considering the 1911 style .22s, the older S&W 2206, 422, & 622 models are great. Mine have been very reliable, are not ammo picky, and have been very accurate.

I have a P22 and it is no where near as accurate or reliable as my S&W 2206. The P22 rarely makes it to the range nowadays.

 

[Chadwick122689]

Re: .22 for boy to use in bowling pin comp?

I personally shoot a Ruger Mark III for bowling pins/steel... However I think a buckmark would be great... when he gets a little older you could put a Tactical Solutions Trail Lite barrel on it and maybe even a red dot if that's his flavor...

 

[ArcticLight]

Re: .22 for boy to use in bowling pin comp?

The Ruger Mk3 22/45 would be good.

You can get the Valquartzen conversion kit, trigger, sear etc - have a smith put it in if you want to keep the mag safety or get the kit pluis a Mk2 hammer/sear and remove it.

Very nice pistol, about $300 plus accurizing kit.

 

[rez187]

Re: .22 for boy to use in bowling pin comp?

try the mark series besides being the worst designed pistol to break down they are good performers. most guys never break down just shoot till it has lead coming out the barrel

 

[gathert]

Re: .22 for boy to use in bowling pin comp?

RMW, I forgot the mention those. I own a 422 and my room mate has a 622. They are very easy to point, ergos are great, and they are plenty accurate. I like the 422 better because its shorter and I can just shoot that one better.

 

[Situation Normal]

Re: .22 for boy to use in bowling pin comp?

Good job getting your boy into shooting competitions with you!

There's a guy on RFC named Rusty22 who makes 1911 grip adapters for the Browning Buckmark. 1911 grips will mount right to it. Doing it this way, he'll get a lighter gun than a true 1911, but will have the same "feel" as dads gun.

 

[PRDRIVER]

Re: .22 for boy to use in bowling pin comp?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: gathert</div><div class="ubbcode-body">RMW, I forgot the mention those. I own a 422 and my room mate has a 622. They are very easy to point, ergos are great, and they are plenty accurate. I like the 422 better because its shorter and I can just shoot that one better. </div></div>

There are a number of variations of these pistols. The 2206 is all stainless steel. The 422 and 622 have aluminum frames. All three versions have either 4.5" or 6" barrels and can be had with fixed or adjustable sights.

I also agree that the ergos are great on these pistols, but the mag release is a turn off for some shooters. There are also 12 rd factory magazines for these pistols.

 

[breachersup]

Re: .22 for boy to use in bowling pin comp?

I would say it depends on the size of your son's hands, as to what pistol he is ready for - If his hands are big enough, than the first thing that comes to mind are those Ruger mark 3's that have 1911 grips, but I understand those don't look nearly as cool as his father's actual 1911.

I rock my Ruger mark 3 (not the 1911 style) and I can't speak highly enough about this gun. The reliability far outclasses what I have come to expect from semi-auto rim fire weapons. My only complaint is that the disassembly and reassembly is more difficult than a 50 cal machine gun – so now I’m just gonna see how long I can get away with bore snaking, CLPing, and Q tipping without dissembling it ha ha.

 

[RicosRevenge]

Re: .22 for boy to use in bowling pin comp?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: gathert</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I would highly caution against using a .22 on a bowling pin. I've shot them and all I get is a scary bzzzzzzzzzzzzz of a ricochet flying off to who knows where, and that was from 25 yards.</div></div>
Man, I was thinking the same thing!

For authentic 1911 feel, the GSG 1911 is tough to beat. I would prefer a purpose built .22 rather than a conversion, just my opinion.

I love my GSG but I don't have enough rounds through to comment on long term reliability. It does shoot great with a suppressor though!

 

[The Mechanic]

Re: .22 for boy to use in bowling pin comp?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RicosRevenge</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: gathert</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I would highly caution against using a .22 on a bowling pin. I've shot them and all I get is a scary bzzzzzzzzzzzzz of a ricochet flying off to who knows where, and that was from 25 yards.</div></div>
Man, I was thinking the same thing!

For authentic 1911 feel, the GSG 1911 is tough to beat. I would prefer a purpose built .22 rather than a conversion, just my opinion.

I love my GSG but I don't have enough rounds through to comment on long term reliability. It does shoot great with a suppressor though!</div></div>
Was thinking the same here. Any .22 stuff should be steel, like the scale small chicken, pigs, and ram stuff. Them bowling pins would scare me.

 

[bunsen27]

Re: .22 for boy to use in bowling pin comp?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sinister</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> I'm also curious to know if anyone has a Beretta M87. </div></div>

I do and love it! Although I would not pay the asking price of today! It's a fine pistol and very accuarate but not worth $800. I was fortunate and picked one up new very shortly after they were introduced and still at or below $500. It's fine shooter and plays several of the different rimfire games quite well.

I also have a P22 which isn't nearly as nice or accurate as the Beretta, but is not too shabby of a starter pistol for an 8year old. I concur with the previous poster that he should keep shooting the P22 and become proficient with it before upgrading.

A GSG-1911 is a good full sized 1911 .22LR and quite affordable, but it is FULL SIZED which might be a bit much for an 8 year olds small hands.

 

[Patton63]

Re: .22 for boy to use in bowling pin comp?

Just wanted to follow-up on this thread. I ended up purchasing a GSG 1911-22 as much for me as for my son. I've put about 500 rounds through it in the last week and it has run really well. The accuracy is OK and has gotten better, but it is not superb.

I may still pick up a Ruger MK III for target/match shooting.

Thanks for all of your thoughts.

 

[gathert]

Re: .22 for boy to use in bowling pin comp?

You will like the GSG the more you use it. I'm not a fan of the funny yellow dots they use for sights but they work well enough. The barrel bushing broke on one I was using. They are now making them metal instead of MIM like the one I shot. Sig now has the same pistol in their line up, its just branded with the Sig name. Exact same pistol.

 

[LOBO151]

Re: .22 for boy to use in bowling pin comp?

My son is 8 will b 9 in Aug.
He shoots my/his Walther P-22 & P-22 longslide.
The longslide is vary accurate, and he shoots it vary well!

But.. I started letting him shot my/his S&W 41 7"Bbl.
Now.. he shoots it, like a rifle! I put a rail and Trijicon
red dot on it. He shoot it now, like a pro..and fast!

You, will b hard pressed to find a .22 that will out shot a S&W 41!.....But, the longslide P-22 does well, for 1/2 the $.

Thats just my 2 cents.
Hope it helps.

LOBO 151

 

[KTDLS7]

Re: .22 for boy to use in bowling pin comp?

^ ^ ^ +1 ^ ^ ^ on S&W Model 41

They are not cheap, but a great investment for a fantastic match quality .22RF. These are very popular "Bullseye" guns, which is why I have mine. Needless to say it is extremely accurate. The factory grips are nice, but replace with Herrett's "Trainer-Flat Housing" grips and it feels like a 1911.

Kevin