8th Birthday. What gun for nephew?
- Thread starter El Tejon
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Zundfolge
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I'm thinking a 28ga over and under, a couple of boxes of #8 birdshot and a case of clays ... get him shooting at the moving targets 
rangerruck
Member
id go pump. lever or to be really unique, get a chipmunk PISTOL, thats right , just like the rifle, but a 10 in bbl ,free floated pistol!
trickyasafox
Member
28 gauge or 410?
Zen21Tao
Member
El Tejon
Member
Thank you all for your suggestions. A boy is only 8 once and I want it to count since Matt is limiting me to gifting only one (can't blame him, don't want to spoil him). Some of my most beloved guns and gun memories at my age (36) come from my uncles. I want to turn the favor in spades.
KriegHund, since you asked, my brother's procedure is that the boy remove the bolt from his weapon whenever they go forward of the firing line (a picnic table) or go in for the night. He must give the bolt to my brother and then they go forward to check on the massive damage to the enemy coffee and paint cans.
I understand the shotgun recommendation. However, I believe as Jeff Cooper recommends that shotguns come last. I.e., it is easier/cleaner to teach trigger control with a rifle than with a shotgun. Shotgun may come at 12 or 13 after rifle proficiency.
Bearcat looks intriguing, however, I have major political issues with Ruger and that stab wound to my back that Bill Ruger inflicted on us has not healed yet, at least for me. Ruger does make very fine weapons I do admit and the Bearcat would make a great deal of sense.
I believe that a repeating .22 is the way to go. Had not considered that CZ Scout. I will now. Only a few gun shows between March and June. I have plenty of time to make up my mind (i.e., weekend before his party).
A boy is only 8 once and I want it to count since Matt is limiting me to gifting only one (can't blame him, don't want to spoil him). Some of my most beloved guns and gun memories at my age (36) come from my uncles. I want to turn the favor in spades. KriegHund, since you asked, my brother's procedure is that the boy remove the bolt from his weapon whenever they go forward of the firing line (a picnic table) or go in for the night. He must give the bolt to my brother and then they go forward to check on the massive damage to the enemy coffee and paint cans.
I understand the shotgun recommendation. However, I believe as Jeff Cooper recommends that shotguns come last. I.e., it is easier/cleaner to teach trigger control with a rifle than with a shotgun. Shotgun may come at 12 or 13 after rifle proficiency.
Bearcat looks intriguing, however, I have major political issues with Ruger and that stab wound to my back that Bill Ruger inflicted on us has not healed yet, at least for me. Ruger does make very fine weapons I do admit and the Bearcat would make a great deal of sense.
I believe that a repeating .22 is the way to go. Had not considered that CZ Scout. I will now.
Only a few gun shows between March and June. I have plenty of time to make up my mind (i.e., weekend before his party).PlayboyPenguin
member
Is this purchase a way for you to satisy your own personal hurt political notions or to make you nephew happy? As someone who was once an 8yr old boy i can tell you the bearcat would be perfect. I and alot of my friends had rifles at that age but we would have crapped our pants to get a cool revolver like the Bearcat. Plus, blaming the ruger company for what the founder did many years ago is like blaming the great grandchildren of slave owners for slavery.
Thanks for posting this topic, I got lots of info on what to get my daughter. She just turned 8 and I was thinking of introducing her to firearms, possibly starting out with a Crickett, since she has never shot before.
BUT I am afraid that I will have to wait awhile for her to mature. I was talking to her the other day and showing her my .22 pump and she asked too many questions that led me to believe that she isn’t ready. She does have a problem with not paying attention at times, so I will have to let her grow up a little.
BUT I am afraid that I will have to wait awhile for her to mature. I was talking to her the other day and showing her my .22 pump and she asked too many questions that led me to believe that she isn’t ready. She does have a problem with not paying attention at times, so I will have to let her grow up a little.
Single shot .410? and a couple boxes of clays/ammo?
Edit: after rereading the thread, don't buy him a repeating .22 if you are waiting for him to be proficient with rifles. He has a .22 already if I remember right. I say buy him like 60 bucks in .22 ammo (be sure to test it) and a couple of them metal spin targets they sell in cabelas. With the ammo and targets he will have more fun than another gun in a caliber he already has.
more editing: Maybe talk with your brother, and your present can be to take the kid to a real outdoor range like 5 times (or like 25 if your wife limits your range time ). I always get a smile when I walk onto the range, so taking him to a real outdoor range (not his backyard, where it sounds like he shoots now) would be a fun adventure.
Edit: after rereading the thread, don't buy him a repeating .22 if you are waiting for him to be proficient with rifles. He has a .22 already if I remember right. I say buy him like 60 bucks in .22 ammo (be sure to test it) and a couple of them metal spin targets they sell in cabelas. With the ammo and targets he will have more fun than another gun in a caliber he already has.
more editing: Maybe talk with your brother, and your present can be to take the kid to a real outdoor range like 5 times (or like 25 if your wife limits your range time
). I always get a smile when I walk onto the range, so taking him to a real outdoor range (not his backyard, where it sounds like he shoots now) would be a fun adventure.
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aguyindallas
Member
You guys are missing it....
Two Words:
BELT FED
Two Words:
BELT FED
waterhouse
Member
Not sure how you feel about ordering online, but if you can't find what you are looking for locally consider:
http://whittakerguns.com/
Whittaker's has better prices on CZ rimfires than I can get from my distributors, and they are nice people to deal with as well.
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HankB
Member
A .22 revolver would make a nice gift . . . a K-22 (preferably one of the older ones) will teach him trigger control and sight alignment, and with standard (not oversize target) grips it ought to suit small hands OK.
As for the flintlock, it's been a while since I was 8, but had I been shooting modern guns for a while and been gifted with a smokepole, I wouldn't have been very happy. (Especially if adults actually demanded I shoot that rather than other guns.)
How about a decent air rifle? That way, after homework and chores are done, he and Dad can take a half hour virtually every night and go to the basement and do some quiet plinking.
Otherwise, ammo and/or reactive targets are good choices. (I assume he already has "kid size" safety glasses and earmuffs?)
As for the flintlock, it's been a while since I was 8, but had I been shooting modern guns for a while and been gifted with a smokepole, I wouldn't have been very happy. (Especially if adults actually demanded I shoot that rather than other guns.)
How about a decent air rifle? That way, after homework and chores are done, he and Dad can take a half hour virtually every night and go to the basement and do some quiet plinking.
Otherwise, ammo and/or reactive targets are good choices. (I assume he already has "kid size" safety glasses and earmuffs?)
Greg L
Member
I gave my 9 (then) year old a M44 but then he is a bit of a recoil junkie .
I like the flint/percussion option. It's more involved in getting it loaded so that he will appreciate each shot more when he finally gets around to shooting it. And, as was mentioned, you can reduce the powder load & still make a big hole.
.I like the flint/percussion option. It's more involved in getting it loaded so that he will appreciate each shot more when he finally gets around to shooting it. And, as was mentioned, you can reduce the powder load & still make a big hole.
Lonestar.45
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Marlin 39A levergun, no question. When I was that age, a buddy had one, and I had the Marlin 60. He loved my gun and I loved his. As soon as we were out of sight of adults (different times and all), we traded and shot each other's guns all day.
The muzzleloader idea is unique. He may or may not like it. Some kids LOVE all the smoke and fire, other kids want nothing to do with only being able to shoot one shot a minute and having to spend all that time loading. Then there's the safety issue, loose powder and kids do not mix. It's not the same as a cartridge gun. You may want to wait on something like that until 12 or so at least.
The muzzleloader idea is unique. He may or may not like it. Some kids LOVE all the smoke and fire, other kids want nothing to do with only being able to shoot one shot a minute and having to spend all that time loading. Then there's the safety issue, loose powder and kids do not mix. It's not the same as a cartridge gun. You may want to wait on something like that until 12 or so at least.
El Tejon
Member
Hank, my brother and I grew up shooting blackpowder weapons at 8, both my grandfathers and my greatgrandfathers had blackpowder weapons and we shot them when we visited their farms. Heck, we weren't picky, can't imagine the nephew would be either.
Yes, Matt has all the optimal kid size stuff. He runs a steel mill so he is well-versed with all the safety gear manufacturers.
Greg, yes, that's part of my reasoning as well.
Lonestar, the Marlin lever gun is very heavy and far too big for him right now (Matt has one and a 9422 and has let him try). This boy is mean and lean but not by any means Texas size (he's behind on the growth curve). Marlin is a fine choice of weapon, but not for him, not yet at least.
Yes, Matt has all the optimal kid size stuff. He runs a steel mill so he is well-versed with all the safety gear manufacturers.
Greg, yes, that's part of my reasoning as well.
Lonestar, the Marlin lever gun is very heavy and far too big for him right now (Matt has one and a 9422 and has let him try). This boy is mean and lean but not by any means Texas size (he's behind on the growth curve). Marlin is a fine choice of weapon, but not for him, not yet at least.
I got to handle a Rossi Matched Pair at the last show and thought they were nice little guns and provided the shotgun on the same platform. He may have this pretty much covered already, but...
Zundfolge
Member
Hmm...a gun a year from "Uncle El Tejon" eh?
I have an aunt that's not married ... she's a little heavy and in her late 50s but a very nice person (and a fabulous cook)
Bart Skelton
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Have you considered a Winchester Model 62A? A classic .22 rifle and as safe as they come. Pump with a hammer. It was my first rifle (I still have it). The ones sporting high finishes are pricey, but you can still find one reasonably priced if you're diligent. Plus you'll never lose money buying an old Winchester.
If too pricey, Taurus is reproducing them.
If too pricey, Taurus is reproducing them.
Erich
Member
That is an excellent idea.
el44vaquero
Member
Marlin Model 60
the 22 junkie
Member
Coming from a short 13 year old, I have shot the CZ 452 and it is a dream. If you want to go revolvers, a 4'' Model 34 will fo just fine. Or what about that new Winchester .22 they have on their page?
http://www.winchesterguns.com/prodinfo/catalog/detail.asp?cat_id=525&type_id=100&cat=018C
http://www.winchesterguns.com/prodinfo/catalog/detail.asp?cat_id=525&type_id=100&cat=018C
El Tejon
Member
Saturday morning I went out and purchased a CZ 452, 3 magazines for it and 400 rounds of ammo for my nephew. It's only April 8th; I'm 2 months early, so unlike me.
The 452 is great! Has a sharp trigger and the bolt operates a lot smoother than I thought it would. My brother can install the sling posts so Noah can have a proper weapon and practice his positions and smooth up the bolt so the boy can operate it properly with his forefinger and thumb (no reason not to learn correctly).
Thanks to all for your recommendations! Thank you to those who pointed out the CZ 452. It will make an 8 year old very happy (as well as his 36 year old uncle).
The 452 is great! Has a sharp trigger and the bolt operates a lot smoother than I thought it would. My brother can install the sling posts so Noah can have a proper weapon and practice his positions and smooth up the bolt so the boy can operate it properly with his forefinger and thumb (no reason not to learn correctly).
Thanks to all for your recommendations! Thank you to those who pointed out the CZ 452. It will make an 8 year old very happy (as well as his 36 year old uncle).
El Tejon
Member
What uncle could resist kids who love guns?
Just wait until I post pics of Noah's birthday party in June with his new rifle and the other boys who all love "shoot guns" (#2 sleeps with Matt's American Rifleman magazine). Even you will be pushed over, Old.
Just wait until I post pics of Noah's birthday party in June with his new rifle and the other boys who all love "shoot guns" (#2 sleeps with Matt's American Rifleman magazine). Even you will be pushed over, Old.
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