[HGwarhawk]

Hello I am 13 years old and looking for a handgun...Before you go off on me this gun will not be accessible by me unless my parents allow it. They will be keeping the gun in there closet.i have shot several guns and own a 20 gauge...Sooo I would like to know if there is a gun tht fits my small hands for around $300.my grandpa has many guns and could help me choose a gun. This gun will be strictly for target shooting.

Thanks in advance!

[sweeper22]

Look for a handgun safety class at a range or gun club near you that both you and your parents can attend. Many of these classes will offer you an opportunity try out a multitude of guns, which should be the easiest way to assess what you're after.

For target shooting on a limited budget, it's tough to beat a good Browning or Ruger 22lr pistol. It'll probably become a lifelong friend.

[ScottA]

If there is one rule we can pretty well agree upon here, it is everyone needs a .22. Here's an option:
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/21_49_75/products_id/79533/Ruger+SR22PB+22LR+3.5%22+10RD+Black+3600

Stick around, listen, and ask questions. We need young shooters like you who are going to keep our rights strong.

[Viking]

There was a time when great target handguns could be bought for under $300 and Ruger was generally at the forefront of affordability. I've owned a couple of Ruger .22 pistols one Mark I, 6" barrel and presently (my wife's) a stainless steel Mark II, 6" barrel. Ruger made these pistols with bull barrels and adjustable sites. Maybe you can find one used for a decent price, hard telling, but any more due to the decline of the value of the US dollar, $300 may limit your purchases. By the way that Mark I pistol was very accurate for having fixed sites, while deer hunting in Colorado I shot many Grouse with neck shots. And by the way, I wouldn't go off on you, I would have wanted the same thing at your age. My first weapon was a single shot .22 rifle and maybe when I was younger than you I shot a H&R 9 shot .22 revolver. Learn and Follow all safety measures.

[trip286]

The heritage rough rider isn't a very great gun, but it's cheap, pretty easy to find, and reasonably accurate. It's a single action revolver.

Like many here, I would prefer a Ruger or Buckmark.

[HGwarhawk]

So far it sounds like a .22 would fit my needs. Do you think that I should purchase a gun at a gun store or a gun show? I was also looking at the ruger mark iii is that a nice gun?

[redfox]

We bought my 13 year old daughter a walther p22. It fits her well and she is dead accurate with it. It shoots flawlessly If you use good ammo(mini mags). Did look at ruger 22/45 buy it is harder to clean and I wanted her to be comfortable cleaning it as well as shooting it.

[HGwarhawk]

Originally Posted by redfox

We bought my 13 year old daughter a walther p22. It fits her well and she is dead accurate with it. It shoots flawlessly If you use good ammo(mini mags). Did look at ruger 22/45 buy it is harder to clean and I wanted her to be comfortable cleaning it as well as shooting it.

Does look a little pricey for me though..Does anyone know if I would be able to handle a kel tec pm9? It looks perfect accept it might have a little to much recoil.

[HGwarhawk]

Or even maybe the bersa .380

[Wiseman3]

Originally Posted by HGwarhawk

Does look a little pricey for me though..Does anyone know if I would be able to handle a kel tec pm9? It looks perfect accept it might have a little to much recoil.

Welcome to gun ownership kid. My opinion is to stick with finding yourself a good .22. They're cheap to shoot and provide hours of entertainment at the range. A 9mm would probably be fine for depending on the gun. The heavier the gun and the longer the barrel the less felt recoil. Meaning if you take 9mm in a sub compact Glock vs a steal frame full size Browning hi power the Glock will deal as if it has more recoil. I would definitely get your parents or grandfather to take you to a range that rents guns and take a few shots with some different calibers so you can see the difference. And one more supporting fact in favor of the. 22 vs 9mm or anything else for that matter the price for .22 will provide hours of range time for the same price that you would only get maybe an hour for if you had a 9mm or other caliber. Something to conciser.