Rossi Youth 22lr/410 review

[jon_in_wv]

This weekend at the pawn shop I score a Rossi Youth model with the 22lr and the 410 barrels. I wanted a nice little 22 to teach my youngest daughter to shoot and to get my older one more interested in shooting. I was going to get her one fo the cricket 22s but I wasn't sold on the pull cock, decock, and the way you loaded the round. It just didn't seem "fun". The Rossi on the other hand is a BLAST. I had a Truglo 2x30 red dot I mounted on the 22lr barrel and we took it to the range. The weapon is easy to break down and load and when you reopen the action the spent casing ejects smartly with a neat little "ping". I was having fun hitting my wife behind me with the spent casing. Accuracy was pretty good. The range was undergoing some work so we could only shoot offhand. Next time I'll shoot it off the bench for accuracy.
The trigger was nice enough and my littlest (6) was able to manipulate everything pretty well. The weapon is a little heavy for her to hold it up offhand though. Next time I'll sit her on the bench and I'll put a bipod on it. She should really enjoy it then.
After we fired a few 22lr rounds I switched the barrel to the 410. I had never fired a 410 before and after shooting the 22s it seemed like a cannon! It had a little push and I think it would really be neat for birds, rabbits, etc..
I've read some criticisms of the Rossi break downs but I'm really impressed with this little combo. It seems well built and is a blast to shoot. I can't wait to get another one for me with a larger stock and a more potent caliber.

 

[bobby68]

Update request

I know this is old, but I'm looking at the same combo for my own 6 yo girl.

The combo mention is shown with a normal stock. I.m wondering if the shotgun stock with the thumb hole would be more comfortable for little hands.

Any comments?

 

[jon_in_wv]

Sorry I didn't see you posted here until now. The combo is a little cumbersome for one that small. Breaking it down and cocking the hammer is hard for little hands. Also the scope mounts kind of high for a little one. If you are looking for a rifle she can shoot off hand then the cricket style 22s are about it. Off the bench or a bipod the Savage cub is the best one going I think. My daughter really likes hers and she out shoots me with it.

 

[RPRNY]

I got one for my daughter - age 10 - and she did not like it at all. Cocking the hammer is quite challenging, in 22lr the sights were difficult, and accuracy was poor, even with very good ammo. My son, 8, loves the .410 and shoots it quite well.

I ended up getting my daughter a Savage Rascal, in hot pink. Comes with a peep sight, easy bolt action, is extremely light and seems to be very accurate.

 

[fallout mike]

I got this combo for my son when he was 5. He quickly became very proficient with it. He is now 7 and is an extremely competent shooter. He shoots my marlin 60 now more than his rossi bc he liked being able to shoot more than once without reloading. He also shoots our 1200fps gamo extremely well. He has recently starting shooting my AR in 5.56 and is quickly becoming a great shot with it. I think the little rossi is a great gun for little kids to learn on. He wanted to shoot nonstop when he got it and of course I obliged him. Now at 7 he can outshoot several of my friends with .22's and AR's.

 

[cougar1717]

A friend bought one of these for his kids, except he got the 22LR/20ga combo. At the time his kids were between 6 and 11 yrs old and his oldest was going through a marksmanship class and just wanted something so that he didn't always have to borrow someone else's rifle. The break action 22LR is simple and has a safety screw on the hammer. Accuracy was fine for what it was - kids just want to hit the target or some cans.
Biggest issue was trying to shoot some clays with the 20ga barrel. It's just is too much power for a firearm that light. The first time his 11yr old shot a 20ga shell, he cried. We all thought he was just being dramatic, that is, until we shot it. Granted, the stock is too short for adults, but the 20ga recoils too much for kids. It's been two years, his son is 13, 5'10" and 150lbs (and has really outgrown the gun), but will not shoot the 20ga. The .410 would probably have been a better experience.
The other thing is that his kids seemed grow out of this gun really fast.

 

[bobby68]

Thank you

I appreciate the feedback and suggested alternative. It is important to us to make it fun, not scary, but still useful.

 

[jon_in_wv]

If you want a single shot I think the Savage Cub is one of the best you can find. My daughter has one, a 10/22, and a Rossi 22/410. She only shoots the Savage and the Ruger.