Marlin 915Y or Savage Cub??

[CarbineKid]

I took my 9 year old son out shooting, and he had a blast. The only problem is my Marlin 981t was too large for him. I decided to look at getting him a youth rifle. After looking at every youth rifle out there(CZ Henry etc)I have it narrowed down to either a Marlin 915Y or Savage Cub. My dealer does not have either in stock, so I'm basically buying sight unseen. I would appreciate any info, and opinions you can share on these rifles
Thanks

 

[BullRunBear]

Don't know if this applies but my wife is only 5 feet tall. I recently got her a Marlin 795 semi-auto with the synthetic stock. It fits her well and the light weight (just over 4 pounds) is helpful when her arthritis flares up. The 795 is available at most stores like Wal-Mart and Dick's Sporting Goods. You might have the youngster handle one to see if it will work for him.

Hope this helps.

Jeff

 

[unwise11]

+1, I had a 795 I sold, but it was a very good little rifle, short 18" barrel, and 10 rounds mags, and It's a blast to shoot, but I prefer bolt action 22's, as the semi auto's are typically tough to clean.

 

[CarbineKid]

Thanks guys. Howevr for a first rifle I want to stick with a bolt action 22.

 

[451 Detonics]

Have you consider a TC Hotshot? I played with one at the local gunshop...great feeling trigger, great irons sights and can be scoped. Perfect size for little shooters.

http://www.tcarms.com/firearms/youth_hot_shot.php

 

[9X23WIN]

I have a Marlin 915Y which I bought for my daughter when she turned 8. It's a very solid rifle with a nice hardwood stock. The gun is much better than the Crickett 22 rifle that l had previously purchased. Got a cheap Bushnell 3-9 Sportview scope mounted on it;weight of gun with scope is 5.13 pounds. The barrel diameter is .585 diameter at the muzzle. The trigger pull on the Marlin is slightly less less than 5lbs. The rifle is well balanced and it shoots well. I shoot the Marlin nowadays as my daughter has moved on to centerfire rifles. I think you and your son will enjoy the Marlin.

 

[GoF150xlt]

Like the Savage Cub

I purchased a Savage Cub for my son and it performs great. To be honest I think I liked shooting it as much as he did. Seems to be plenty accurate, reliable, and fits him well.

 

[CarbineKid]

Wow you guys are not making this easy. The three I had in mind were the hot shot the savage and the marlin. Today at Dicks I found a cricket for $78 OTD. err for that price its hard to pass on it, but I got lots of time to looks...please keep the opinions coming.

 

[9X23WIN]

The Crickett's action is not as well built and smooth as the Marlin's. It's also quite a bit smaller and lighter than the latter. Having said that, your son may physically outgrow the Crickett in no time.

 

[oerllikon]

My opinion isnt worth too much because I have a heavy Marlin bias. I dont have any experience with savages or TCs, but both of my marlin 22s are very well made and capable of touching shots at about 50 yds. My bolt action (925, maybe a little heavy for an 8 year old) was 240 with a scope. The action needed a little breaking in, but other than that its an excellent rifle that i have no intention of getting rid of. Ive loved every marlin ive owned, and havent thought of or gotten rid of any. Just sayin'

 

[robmints]

http://www.wholesalehunter.com/product.asp?productid=48873

Mark II GY Real nice, just the right size. I think the receiver screws are in the same place as a Mark II, just the barrel is shorter and the stock is shorter. Perfect fit for a 9-10 yo. I think I will be able to restock as they grow but not sure and it was not the main reason for the purchase. Take a look, I think you will like it. We use mostly CCI CBs through it, it feeds the regular longs with a tiny bit of finesse.

Sorry that is the LH version in the link, but the picture the correct.

 

[NavyGuy]

Savage Cub

I just went through the same thing. My son turns 8 this Saturday. At Bass Pro I handled the Marlin, CZ, and the Savage youth .22's. All of my .22s are Marlin and that's what I wanted to get him but it was WAY too heavy. I didn't like the feel of the CZ at all. The Savage is perfect! It's like an adult bolt action shrunk! Laminated stock, accutrigger, drilled and tapped for scope, sling swivels, and a safety just like you find on any full size rifle. It's also got a peep sight. It was $212 out the door, but it is a well made rifle that will last a long time and maybe my son can pass it down to his son someday.