Need advice on rifle for youngster

[57Coastie]

My son and I agree that it is not too early to start training my eldest grandson in the use of a .22. He is nine years old and he has received his "basic training," including fireams safety, using a BB gun. His issue is that he is too small to use, comfortably and correctly, any of the various .22s in the family armory. In fact, I had to shorten the stock on his BB gun for him to use it comfortably.

Any advice out there about a relatively inexpensive .22 we might give him as a Christmas gift after shortening the stock? Single shot would be quite acceptable, probably preferable, as he will be moving up to a Savage Anschutz Match 54 enroute other 22s and then larger calibers. Of course cost is a factor since we do not expect little Bob to use the rifle more than a year or so, and we do not expect it to be a "keeper." His further training will be at a range.

Thanx all, and Happy Holidays.

Jim

 

[Starter52]

I remember seeing ads for a small rifle called the "Chipmunk". Very suitable for the younger shooter.

Truth is, if you find a used .22 bolt action rifle (generally under $100 in my area) and cut down the stock, ala the BB gun, this will give you a good gun for your son.

A used Winchester, Remington or Marlin would still have plenty of life and accuracy left, and will probably have an easier bolt & trigger than a new gun.

 

[cmidkiff]

Sometime you can find good information in the strangest places

The VPC has a useful listing of child-sized rifles at:
http://www.vpc.org/studies/22ap.htm

It's not on that list, but the Savage 'CUB' mini youth model seems like it might be a good starting point, weighing in at just over 3 lbs, with an overall length of 33 inches, and MSRP of $173.

 

[joebogey]

Should you decide to go with something like the Ruger 10/22, I have a stock that was graciously given to me by a forum member for the cost of shipping. The stock has been shortened and has a butt plate installed. I also have the section that was sawed off if you should want to increase the size by increments by drilling holes and inserting dowel rods. The sawn section still has the original butt plate I believe.
I would be glad to forward this to you for the cost of shipping as well, as long as you agree that once your son can use a full stock, you will once again see that a needy young shooter receives the offer.
My daughter is now 13 and has moved up to her own deer rifle and her own 10/22, so this stock is no longer needed.

 

[DnPRK]

If it were my choice, I'd get a 10-22 and chop the factory stock. As he grows, you can get replacement stocks on eBay for $20.

10-22 has the ability to be upgraded with a wide selection of aftermarket components that will allow it to give your Anshutz a serious challenge. Check out rimfirecentral.com

 

[57Coastie]

Joe,

Agreed! Amazing -- my post was prompted when I was reading a Holiday ad in the Houston newspaper this morning for the Ruger 10/22, and I was concerned at paying almost $200 for a training rifle which would not be a "keeper."

You have solved all my problems! It will be a keeper and I can happily pass your stock on to another member when "little Bob" becomes "big Bob."

PM enroute with my address and to arrange payment for shipment.

Thank you so much, for me, my son, and soon, my grandson.

Jim

 

[Outlaws]

I like the 10/22 idea.

 

[LAK]

I would make anyone's first gun a turnbolt. Something like a Marlin bolt-action repeater (or similar quality) - and order an extra stock. Cut the extra stock down to fit him. When he outgrows it refit the original; he will then be able to go on shooting his very first rifle into adulthood.

If money is not a problem, I would go CZ 452 and do the same. A good trigger goes a very long way and can not be emphasized enough.

--------------------------------

http://ussliberty.org
http://ssunitedstates.org

 

[El Tejon]

Hi, Coastie, as the uncle of 5, I know how excited you are.

My first rifle for the oldest was a Winchester 67A. http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=1740950&highlight=Winchester+67A#post1740950

However, it was very heavy for him and he could only shoot it off a bench. I then went with a CZ452 Scout, outstanding weapon! http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=186287&highlight=nephew

This Christmas I got a 10/22 Compact for the 9 year old and a Marlin 915YS for the 6 year old. http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=229268&highlight=Arming+sobrinos

Good luck, Tio Tejon.

 

[.45FMJoe]

I've seen these little "crickett" .22 bolt action rifles at every gun show, they are really small for the smallest shooters. I think it would probably fit the bill nicely!

http://www.crickett.com/TheStore/Rifles/rifles.html

 

[57Coastie]

I want to thank all of you for your very kind attention to my request. I got my first offer of help practically before I pressed the "Send" button.

I took joebogey up on his offer, and his training stock for a Ruger 10/22 is enroute already. Then my son decides that he may do something else. I guess this excited grampa got ahead of the power curve. (I hadn't talked to my son about this before doing my standard "ready, fire, aim.") If I end up not needing the training stock I have agreed with joebogey that I will ship it on to another member at no cost. I am awaiting for a final decision from my son.

Thank you all so much, and may you all have the happiest of holiday seasons.

Jim

 

[El Tejon]

Oh, come on now! You are going to pass a perfectly acceptable excuse to buy more guns by?

*57Coastie unloading SUV full of guns into his gun safe, wife glares at him with crossed arms* "No, honey, these guns are for the grandkids. Nothing is too much for the children. Honey, please, think of the children."

 

[57Coastie]

Tio,

Actually, it was more like, "Dear, how many times have I told you not to meddle with your sons' raising our grandkids?!?!? You had your chance with your own kids, now it's their turn!!!"

All the best to all for the holidays,

Jim

 

[57Coastie]

Short stock for Ruger 10/22 available at no cost

I am going to take the liberty of reopening this thread long enough to make an offer to members.

Well, my son did his thing. He got grandson Bob a used, but nice, H&R Handi-Rifle, in the "Youth" model, .223 Rem. cal. I can't critcize his choice when it means grandson will be able to join me at the range for boot camp.

Meanwhile, joebogey's stock for a Ruger 10/22 (see #4 above) is on its way to me, and I will not need it. He is a superfine member, and he has invited me to see if some other forum member might be able to use it. I will pay for shipping. The only quid pro quo is that the recipient must agree to do the same thing when the training stock has served its purpose -- make it available to someone else with the same need for it, at no cost other than shipping, to be passed along this way. (I can't charge for shipping stateside after joebogey refuses to let me pay him for shipping it to me. What a guy!)

Drop me a PM with details if you are interested in the Ruger 10/22 stock on the condition stated. First come, first served.

Jim

 

[JTW Jr.]

PM sent.... I really like the feel of this forum.

 

[57Coastie]

PM sent.... I really like the feel of this forum.

You got it. PM enroute. I love this forum too, once I made myself resist getting involved in Legal and Political.

Jim

 

[mio]

wal mart sells a .22 "cricket" its a simple bolt action comes with synthetic stock blued barrel or wood stock stainless barrel..the synthetic is only $100 with the wood/stainless being more around $150

i also saw the chipmonk seem like it had a barracuda stock and reminded me of the .22s mag research has out. the chipmonk i saw was also youth size but was around $200.

my stepdaughter is getting the cricket for her next bday...it even comes in pink stock both synthetic or wood...gotta support a company that puts out a gun attractive to small girls since there are few guns that will fit them

 

[aaronrkelly]

I just picked up a crickett in black stock and blued action for my 5 yr old son....

Picked up a pink stocks with stainless action for my 1 1/2 yr old daughter....

Happy Christmas to them.......

 

[JTW Jr.]

rehash this old thread , I recieved the shortened stock , but for one reason or another other things came first before I could get a 10/22 for my middle son , but lately he has been hot n heavy to learn to shoot , so after making honor roll , mom and I agree , a reward was needed.

Scored a used 22 with Bushnell 3-9x scope for $125... swapped it to the shortened stock and it fit him like a glove. first trip to the range , after his 3rd shot he was settled in and peppering the 8" shoot n see at 25 yards , even managed to pull of a 2 1/2 group.... yeah I was proud.

He is hooked and we will hit the range again next weekend , I have already started selling of some of my knives to invest that money into accessories for his 10/22 ( bi-pod , trigger job , etc ).

 

[rangerruck]

marlin, henry, cz, savage, nef , rossi, all make a very short verision of their larger 22's, with a youth stock. then , when he outgrows the small stock, you can then get the regular stock from the company, and put it on.

 

[rangerruck]

I don't like the idea of the cricket or rogue, because you cannot put on adult sized stocks, when outgrown. but to Joe, that is a great offer!!! dude, major props to you, could float around on the internet out there, for 100 years, if we don't break it into pieces!

 

[57Coastie]

Well done, JTW. He looks like a proud young lad. Glad the stock worked out for you and him, and glad to see it get another young man started with the shooting sports.

Jim

 

[JTW Jr.]

Jim:

the wife said neither my son nor myself , stopped smiling all day yesterday.

I will make sure that when he is ready to go full size , the stock gets offered up so it can go to another new young shooter.

 

[joebogey]

Now that's the kinda story I like to hear about!

But seriously guys, I can't take the credit for this.
For the life of me I can't remember who sent me the stock, but that member is the one who started all of this and he should get the credit. He didn't specify what I should do with it after my daughter outgrew it, but I figured it would be a good way to kind of repay that gentleman's good deed. And at the same time help out somebody else with a kid who wanted to shoot.

rangerruck... I hope that durned stock does last a hundred years, but most of all, I hope there's still a need for it.

 

[JTW Jr.]

my son loves his 10/22 so much ( as the stock fits him purfect ) he asked me if I would " camo " it for him , I agreed but only if he picked the colors and helped with the pattern.
Bll , scope and action were not camo'd.

He loves it , and thinks its the coolest.