Kid guns

[emtpacker]

Greetings all!
I am looking into purchasing a rifle for my daughter on the occasion of her 5th birthday. She is definitely daddy's girl and can't wait to go shoot targets with me!

I have taken her to our local gun shop and let her handle a Cricket 22 and she liked it. It was a very good size for her - not too big and definitely not too small. I think she could use it for two or three years at least.


So, my question for you folks:
Being such a simple rifle, do you think she will grow out of it based on skill? Are there any kid rifles around that work on a traditional bolt action or lever action? I am trying to stay away from a semi-auto in favor of the more simple action mechanisms. Any ideas on alternatives to the Crickett?

Thanks again for all your help!

 

[expvideo]

How about a Marlin .22 lever action? It will be useful for her entire life, but it is a little downsized from a full size 30-30. It has a bit more of a "cowgirl" feel to it, if she's into that kind of thing.

Other than that, she might really enjoy that Cricket and if she already voiced her approval, I'd go that route. A single shot is a great way to teach making shots count. Then when she's a little older, maybe you can move her up to a 10/22 or something.

And of course, I have to remind you that the Cricket comes in pink... enticing, I know.

 

[X-Rap]

I wish the pink rifles would have been around when my daughter was starting out. She learned on a cut down 77/22, and guess what she shoots today?
Rug. 77 in 280.

 

[Duke of Doubt]

Those Crickets, and a similar make, look very cute, but I do not like them. Quality is not good, and they don't handle or function like a larger gun at all. You might be surprised how easy handling the Marlin 15Y is. Even a full-length .22 is pretty light; I was using them at 10 and never noticed the weight. I wasn't exactly a stout child, either.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

CZ452 "Scout." It is built to the same quality standards as the adult .22, has probably the best iron sight picture I've seen, and can be scoped. It is a repeater, but a blank magazine that comes with it allows single rounds to be fed. It might be a little large for a four-year-old, but I don't have one handy so I cannot be sure.

I think Henry makes a youth model bolt .22 as well.

 

[Blakenzy]

T/C Encore w/ youth stock.

 

[Scott23]

17 hmr, Rossi youth single shot

mtpacker, I bought a 17 hmr for my son when he was 6. He's eight now and it still fits him pretty well. It's a Rossi youth single shot and he loves it. Got it at Gander mt. for $99.00 and topped it off with a Tasco pronghrn 4 power scope. It's a great shootin little rifle. He has no problems hitting wood chucks at 150 yrds with it and loves to watch milk jugs filled with water explode at the range. It would be a little more accurate than a 22lr with a lot more range. Good luck with whatever you decide on, I'm sure your daughter will like whatever you get her. Scott

 

[QuietEarp]

There is a thread in Rifle Country right now with a similar question. It has a nice picture of a young girl with one of those Crickets. I dropped my $.02 there but I found 2 more so I will do it again. My first gun was a single shot bolt action Marlin .22 youth model. I must have been 8 or 9. I liked the fact that it was my first gun. I really had little to compare it to. In retrospect the single round capacity taught me a lot about shooting. Having to reload after each shot does that for a kid. It was quite easy to remain safe with it because of its single round capacity. I do not remember ever having a problem with it. Now I would prefer a lever action or a semi auto but I am glad that I cut my teeth on one of the simplest of rifles. 5 is young enough that I would think that she can get use out of a small rifle and upgrade in a few years. I just checked and the model that I owned looked similar to the current production 915Y. Good luck to the both of you!

 

[I_AM_LEGEND]

I'd say go with a 10/22 if it will fit her, they may even make youth models... At least with that she can have lots of options to customize it, you can get them for like $140 and probably wouldn't outgrow it.

 

[Titan6]

The quality on the Crickets is poor but if she likes it that may be the way to go. You are looking for a functioning starter rifle not a field gun or target master.

 

[Sam1911]

The Crickets are cheap. But even so, they aren't worth the money. There are a LOT higher quality guns available in that tiny size for not a whole lot more cash.

Consider the Henry Micro Bolt, or Marlin's (I forget the model number).

I looked at all the micro-rifle options and got my kids the Savage Cub-T. Very nice laminated thumbhole stock, Accu-Trigger, good sights (and integral scope rail), and VERY accurate for such a little thing.

After a lot of looking, I found them on sale at Gander Mt. for $169 one day! Generally they're closer to $225, but deals are out there.

I put an inexpensive scope on it and I now shoot it more than they do! It's on permanent groundhog duty, too!

Handle one and you won't consider the Cricket again...

-Sam

 

[cindynles]

2nd the Savage Cub

I 2nd the Savage Cub as a starter 22. I bought 1 for my son when he was 7 and it is really well made. He has outgrown it now (he is 12 now) but I still use it. It has fully adjustable iron sights (peep) that allow the kids to learn the basics. I figure I will hold on to till I have a grandchild.

 

[emtpacker]

Thanks all for the input

There's only one bad thing about getting advise from THR members - too much good information! But I've still got some time to look around. The little lady turns 5 in July.

The rifles that impressed me most were the Henry bolt guns - liked the fiber optic sights, the Savage Cub - sharp looks, scope ready, good trigger, and the CZ - quality reputation and craftsmanship.

I hope to be able to handle several models before we buy and actually let my daughter choose for herself. I'm pretty sure it will end up being one of the pink ones that way, but it will be the one she wants and hopefully that will mean it is the one she shoots!

Just looking around for my little girls first rifle is one of those unexpected joys of parenting. Thanks for helping my search!!

 

[Deepskyy]

How about the new model Marlin 60?
The one I purchased is a shorter barrel length than the one I learned to shoot on, which still resides at my parent's house and my little sister is using now. Its very lightweight, and while a repeater, you can determine how many shots your little one can load. Its super accurate out of the box, which is a big deal with young shooters as it gives them a positive feeling of having success quick. My friend, who was so scared of firearms (she has actually been shot at by a crazed druggie) used to make me put my MP .40 out of sight when she came over. Last trip to the outdoor range, she started with my marlin, complete with its 10 dollar airgun scope and put all 14 rounds in the 9 ring on a 8" target at 50 yards!
She had never even handled a firearm before. By the time the day was over, she had shot my R15, MP15, 870 express, and my MP .40!

(sorry for the hijack there, but I am so very proud of Sarah for her progress... its only been about 6 months since those days when I had to put my pistol in the case when she would visit!)