What .22 caliber AR would be the best to teach a 9-year old child to shoot?
Her mom is my girlfriend. I talked her into buying a Colt LE6920 for herself. Now she wants to train the daughter to get used to shooting firearms, and of course we want something appropriate to her age and physical capabilities (in other words: not a full-size weapon).
Or should I just get her a Ruger 10-22?
Depending on her size/strength weight may be the biggest issue. 10/22 can built up very lightweight. The S&W M&P15-22 is also lightweight.
The LOP on a 10/22 may be long for a 9yr. old. The M&P22 may fit better. Either way you’ll be fightimg over who gets to shoot it next. 
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Do you have any rental ranges or cronies in the area where different options can be tried prior to purchasing?
While not the easiest thing to do my kids live my 22lr SBR. Lightweight and handy makes it easy for them to use.
S&W M&P15-22
The M&P 15-22.
Not only will it show her guns like that aren’t scary, but also provide for easier transition to the bigger AR when she’s older.
My M&P 15-22 ended up in my little brothers hands for that very reason:
My 12 year-old daughter and 11 year-old son can handle my 15-22 without any issues (the 7 year-old needs just a little help supporting the front end); the adjustable stock is what seems to make it much easier than my 10-22’s.
How’s the weight of the M&P 15-22? This is a nine-year-old girl that had trouble lifting a full-size M4.
I need something that’s definitely appropriate for what a kid can lift.
I don’t have mine in front of me, but considering the polymer receivers and rail system; I would estimate around 5.5-6 pounds with a loaded mag?
S&W’s website lists it at 5.5 lbs FWIW.
Another vote for the 15-22. The Ruger may be a great gun, but its hard to compete with all of the functionality and feel of a modern AR. Especially if its a stepping stone to an actual AR in 5.56.
i got my 9 year old a 15-22 this year.
he couldn’t safely handle an M4-gery in .22 that i had bought myself for cheap training. basically was a “benchrest” rifle for him.
the 15-22 is still a little heavy, but he can hold it and shoot it with good form.
he needs to run the stock all the way in, but it’s a good fit.
another nice thing is that the 15-22 functions just like a std AR: BHO, etc., and it’s proven far more reliable than the “real” .22 upper.
M&P 15-22 best one on the market… Priced very good also.
Bolt action with iron sights. 1 round at a time to learn good habits.
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Isn’t 9 years a bit young for a semi-auto?
I would say definitely not.
Marlin 935. They make 15 round mags for 'em.
No sir. The Ruger 10-22 is a semi-automatic rifle and I think it’s appropriate for any child who is being supervised by an adult.
OP,
I saw a gun club member with his 11 year old daughter at the range and she was shooting a M&P 15-22. She did not seem to be having any difficulty handling it and there were no issues with malfunctions during her range session.
Well, we ended up getting an MP 15-22 in pink camo at the gun show.
We haven’t even had a chance to read the manual yet.
Is it okay to do dry-fire training with this, or is it a no-no in general to dry fire .22’s?
I would be cautious about dry firing any .22LR, but some of the manufacturers say it can be done without damage to the firing pin or breach face. Check the S&W website and see if they have anything in the FAQ section to cover this.
When I do dry fire a .22LR, I use #4-6x7/8" plastic anchors to protect the firing pin and breach face. It’s a little tricky to get the anchors to feed out of a magazine, but it can be done.
Update: Your question piqued my curiousity, so I read the PDF version of the owner’s manual. At the top of page 13 it says “Caution: Never dry-fire the rifle as damage to the firearm could result.”