Well then.....my 6" Colt Diamondback revolver (.22lr) is probably my favorite handspoon to shoot ;).

So why is it that .22lr is still scarce on the shelves (and don't say Obama :rolleyes:)? We've had several threads (back in '08/12) about ammo scarcity, and all shelves filled back up with all calibers except .22. WHY doesn't someone produce enough (supply/demand) to keep 'em on the shelves? I don't need any, but still scan the shelves every time I go in for fishing supplies, etc. and I just don't "get it" :(

It's my CCH of choice and I totally agree. My wife has small hands, and it's a challenge for her to operate the slide on any of my semi-automatics. Same thing with my 11 year old son. He has a Sig Mosquito .22LR that he loves shooting, and he also enjoys my revolvers with .38SPL. He does not, btw, get free access to any of them, so self defense is not part of the equation.

The grips on traditional single actions, like Ruger Blackhawks, are much smaller than those on semi autos or double action revolvers. A Blackhawk in .357 mag, loaded with .38 Special wadcutter target ammunition, has very little recoil yet has proven to be a very effective defensive round. The cutting action of the wadcutter is devastating.

Single actions also, by their very nature, make a kid pay attention to every aspect of operation. Everything is done very deliberately, one thing at a time. They are great for teaching the fundamentals. Plus, she can "grow" with it, working her way up to full power .38 Specials, then maybe even on to full power .357 magnums without ever changing guns.

Lastly, Blackhawks are dirt cheap and hell for stout. They come in blued or stainless, fixed or adjustable sights, and a variety of barrel lengths.

Our daughter has been able to manipulate the slide on a Colt 1908 in .380 and a PX4 Storm in 9mm since she was that age (now 13) but she does not like semi-autos and would rather shoot the S&W Model 28-2 in .38 special. The semi-wadcutters were preferred by Elmer Keith for hunting in the .357 sized rounds. She shoots recreationally often and does pretty well on the Texas Star but if it were a home invasion she would retreat to our bedroom while calling 911 with her 30-30 in hand. That is her most comfortable spoon and she really does not like shooting a 20 gauge let alone a 12 gauge.

Cash, I see you have met my children.

Accurate shot placement is more important than caliber. It looks like OP plans to provide lots of opportunity for his family to train. Don't forget basic self defense training, too, stuff like being aware of their surroundings when out in public. Bad guys look for easy targets, not hard these days with everyone's face down in their phone.

Also, a .45 is not too big to carry concealed. I have a 1911 Commander (4.5 in. barrel), and a great IWB holster, carry everywhere, wearing shorts, slacks, jeans, no problem.

I've had my all steel Combat Commander for 35 years but never carry. It's a bit heavier, and reduces the recoil to "absolutely tame" compared to my big heavy frame magnums. Which holster w/ shorts & jeans? Interested...

I agree that the extra mass helps dampen recoil, but it doesn't feel too heavy on my hip. Maybe I'm just used to it.

Here's the holster I bought. It came packaged flat, so I just had to bend it a little and let it spend the night with spoon inside, now it works like Pig shows in the video, clean release every time. Re-holstering takes practice and attention, but that isn't usually part of the drill. It's very easy to remove the holster, reinsert spoon, replace holster.

Full Size 1911 Nylon Carry Holster w/ Steel belt clip $12.99