Rifle for kids

[Sam1911]

Well, truth be told, I find that .22s are easier for the little ones to operate than most air rifles. It is true that there's less to worry about with air rifles, but not as much less as most people act like there is (dangerous habits can form as easily as safe ones if not attended to) and if I'm going to be directly present and instructing anyway (and I am!) then the difference is moot.

The 4-10 year old set can have difficulty operating even a pump-action pellet rifle, to say nothing of the really nice springers, and a pre-charged pneumatic is expensive. I only paid about $170USD for the Savage Cub .22.

Of course, you can shoot pellet guns pretty much anywhere and firearms have to be used on a much more formal -- or at least better back-stopped -- range.

Both options have a place.

 

[JRWhit]

I must be the only Henry fan. picked up a youth model a couple years ago for my Daughter. I know she won't out grow it since the last time we shot it I remember her saying," Dad it's my turn.", as I was well into my second magazine tube. Oops, oh yeah, this is for you.

 

[Sam1911]

Those Henry Mini-Bolts are really neat. Not a fan of their lever-actions but the bolt guns with the fire-sights are quite a nice tool for teaching the young ones. A pal of mine runs the Jr. Rifle program at his club with just those guns.

 

[Zeke/PA]

Late this summer my wife's girlfriend gave me an ancient Model 67Winchester single shot and a Marlin 81-DL about the same age.
Metal finish is ok, bores are great. I refinished the stock on the Marlin the wood itself being a mystery.
The 67 is going to my neighbor's 10 year old and the Marlin to my nephew as my own grandsons have my gunsafe at their disposal.

 

[BCRider]

This year marks the third year of my helping out with my club's Jr .22 program. Our standard rifles are the Savage MkI FVT. A full size peep sight single shot model. Last year we added three wood stocked Rascal rifles. The small peep and front blade were not working out well so the Rascals were fitted with scopes.

For the smaller kids even up to 10 and 11 years old the Rascals fit SOOOOOOO much better that the difference is nutz. They still like to shoot the full size rifles but from the prone position they shoot from they end up laying ON the stock instead of having it backed onto their shoulder. This means it is impossible to correctly use the full size rifle other than with a front bag rest. On the other hand all but the smallest kids can correctly lift and shoulder the Rascal models from prone.

A big reason is that the Rascal is built so lightly that it does not overwhelm them. A full size rifle barrel and action even with a short stock will feel horribly muzzle heavy to them with their short arms. YOU would not tolerate something like that so there's no reason to expect a kid to either. Granted they don't know any better but it will affect their performance and frustrate them just like an off balance lashup would affect and frustrate you.

SOME accommodation can be provided as they grow by adding spacers to the butt of the stock. But at some point it's like any other sporting equipment and you will need to replace them with adult size rifles. At that point you either mothball the Jr size rifles until you have grandkids so they can shoot "Dad's" rifle or you sell them to someone else with kids so they have something that fits.

 

[timfromohio]

Thanks everybody for all of the input! Most appreciated. I know I'm going to stick with a bolt (preferrably single shot) .22 to start. As I have two sons and like the idea that "two is one, one is one" I have serveral platforms in multiples anticipating future needs. They each already have a Garand ... I have several 10/22's, but to teach proper marksmanship want them to have single shots with peep sights.

 

[MattShlock]

I got a rifle for my kid. Another for my wife. Best trades I ever made!

Crickett. You can also put it into a small adult's walnut stock eventually or use the action for a Ruta Locura Pack Rifle Kit. Plan ahead...

 

[taraquian]

I bought my kids the Cricketts, when my son outgrew his it went to his youngest sister, niether of my girls have outgrown them yet. If they do an adult stock is offered but I shoot with their guns aas is.

That said if the Ruger American Rimfire was out back then I would habe three in the closet...well maybe four

 

[chicharrones]

Well, truth be told, I find that .22s are easier for the little ones to operate than most air rifles. It is true that there's less to worry about with air rifles, but not as much less as most people act like there is (dangerous habits can form as easily as safe ones if not attended to) and if I'm going to be directly present and instructing anyway (and I am!) then the difference is moot.

The 4-10 year old set can have difficulty operating even a pump-action pellet rifle, to say nothing of the really nice springers, and a pre-charged pneumatic is expensive. I only paid about $170USD for the Savage Cub .22.

Of course, you can shoot pellet guns pretty much anywhere and firearms have to be used on a much more formal -- or at least better back-stopped -- range.

Both options have a place.

You know, at first read I fully agreed about the really younger kids having difficulty using a pump or springer air rifle. Then I was in my garage the other day and saw my CO2 powered Crosman 2260 sitting there. It is very light, has a super easy bolt operation, a decent trigger, and even has a crude but effective peep sight.

It was about $80 a few years ago. It's too bad Crosman quit making it and its smaller caliber brother the 1760.

The closest thing to it still being sold, that I know of, is one of the Chinese QB78 CO2 air rifles.

 

[content]

I start them out with my lever action bb gun them step up to a .22 with peep sights when they are ready.

The peep sights really help develop confidence the first time out.
I like the older bolt actions with some history like a Remington 510, 513T or Winchester 72,74.

For a modern .22, the Remington/Marlin 795,, is a great decent priced starter rifle.
Get a few extra mags, start them out with one round per mag... before long they are ready for more.
Add a 35 dollar pawn shop Bushnell and the fun really starts.

Enjoy the search