Starting to think about youth rifles

[19-3Ben]

My son is only 13 months old, so I have no illusion that it's going to be a few years before he ever shoots a gun, but being a dad who's obsessed with his kid, and a gun lover, the confluence of these two streams of thought, of course, has my mind going...

I'm looking to kids rifles. Every time i go to my LGS and see the rack of Rascal, and Crikett youth guns, it gets me thinking about it.

What features make for a good gun for a young kid? Obviously short LOP, light weight, and simplicity of design. Anything else you can think of?
Some of these rifles have nice hi-viz sights that I like.

Does it matter for a kid if sights are notch/post vs. a ghost right set up?

Most importantly, I can't seem to find any single shot rifles with the little youth stocks but that have larger stocks available for separate purchase. I'd love to get him a rifle that can grow with him. I've thought about the CZ452 Scout, because larger stocks can be had, but even in its smallest setup, it's 2lbs heavier than the Cricket/Henry/Rascal and has a mag rather than single shot.

Thoughts?

 

[Sam1911]

My advice here is if you really do want to start young, the Savage Cub (now Rascal) rifles really are excellent. I also thought the Henry was nearly as nice. (Not the Crickett/Chipmunk ones, though. Not good rifles, period. Too fiddly and primitive for ease of use and teaching.)

I, for one, don't mind teaching kids to shoot rifles using low-power optical sights. Irons are fine and a good skill to know, but a clear low-magnification scope will let them concentrate on all the other skills of riflery with a bit less of a learning curve on the eyes.

As far as stocks to grow with, that's possible with some rifles, but I'd consider that to be less necessary. My kids all love shooting our Cub, even though one's 13 and quite a bit larger than when she started with it. From there it has been a pretty easy transition to ARs and AKs and other more adult-sized guns. (I can shoot it easily myself, and I'm not petite.) Alternately, even if you decide you need intermediate-sized rifles, there are plenty of good ones that won't break the bank if you have to make that investment down the road.

 

[d2wing]

Look at the Ruger American carbine or Marlin youth model.

 

[guyfromohio]

I've been very happy with the THompson Center youth single shot .22. I've probably killed more garage and yard critters with it than any of my adult guns.

 

[Sam1911]

Look at the Ruger American carbine or Marlin youth model.

While good choices, the question here really comes down to how young/small does he plan to start his kids out? I've started most of mine pulling triggers at 3-4 (sitting in my lap with my arms around them) and they were handling the rifle without assistance by 6 or so. That's not going to work with a Ruger American or Marlin youth model. Those have relatively short (for an adult) lengths of pull at 12" to 12.5", and around 6 lbs total weight, but a 6 or 7 year old needs a considerably shorter and lighter weapon still. The Rascal's length of pull is only 11-1/4" and it weighs a flyweight 2.66 lbs. That's a whole different ballgame for a little guy or gal.

 

[19-3Ben]

While good choices, the question here really comes down to how young/small does he plan to start his kids out?

It's a great question, and one where I'm not entirely sure of the answer. Considering he's still in diapers, it's tough to tell what level of maturity he will reach at what age. Of course, I'll want to make sure the activity is appropriate based on what level of maturity he reaches at what point.

At this point I'm just investigating the options and seeing what's out there. At 6' tall, and not having had kids till now, I've never really looked into kids rifles, so i'm just absorbing all the learnin' I can get on the matter!

Sam- I was impressed by the Savage Rascal that I checked out at the LGS that got me thinking about this in the first place. I appreciate the recommendation. I also appreciate hearing the idea about optics. It's a very good point that I hadn't thought of before.

 

[Sam1911]

I don't have experience with the Rascal directly, but its predecessor, the Cub. The sights are very nice aperture sights, but SO low that I cannot physically put my eye down far enough to see through them. A low-mounted scope is easier for me, and works just great for the kids.

The Henry Micro-Bolt is a nice little rifle as well, and it comes with fiber optic sights in the more traditional post-and-notch patterns. Very quick and easy to see.

 

[Doc7]

I have a 5 month old and eagerly await the day I buy him a Savage Rascal and a red dot scope.

The Cricket isn't drilled and tapped as far as I know.

I wouldn't worry about growing with the stock, although you may consider buying a youth model Ruger American (believe it comes with stackable spacers) that would then suffice the boy as a 22 from his older single digit through his teenage years and beyond.

Think I just talked myself into my plan, anyway!

 

[chicharrones]

While good choices, the question here really comes down to how young/small does he plan to start his kids out? I've started most of mine pulling triggers at 3-4 (sitting in my lap with my arms around them) and they were handling the rifle without assistance by 6 or so. That's not going to work with a Ruger American or Marlin youth model. Those have relatively short (for an adult) lengths of pull at 12" to 12.5", and around 6 lbs total weight, but a 6 or 7 year old needs a considerably shorter and lighter weapon still. The Rascal's length of pull is only 11-1/4" and it weighs a flyweight 2.66 lbs. That's a whole different ballgame for a little guy or gal.

Fully agree. The repeating rifles that are merely shortened versions of adult sized rifles are too heavy for small kids. Of course, everyone will post pics of their wee ones shooting a heavier rifle from a bench, but even a lighter rifle is easier to handle from a bench with little arms stretched out.

If a kid starts shooting later in life, a repeater with a single shot adapter to start with makes more sense.

I say this from buying my own daughter a youth sized repeating bolt .22LR years ago. While shorter, it was only about a 1/2 pound lighter than the adult version.

 

[WestKentucky]

To which manufacturer I will leave up to everyone else to rant and rave about. For service as a teaching aid though you need a few items. Functional, Safe, Simple, in that order. You want something that works well or it will not be used. You want something safe for both you and the youngster. Visibly safe or not, easily verified safe from a short distance. Easily made confirmed safe, as in bolt in your pocket, gun locked open etc is a huge plus. Lastly it needs to be simple to operate for little hands. This absolutely means no parts that must be manipulated that are hard to grip and have a heavy spring

 

[rcmodel]

I made the mistake of buying the miniature Model 70 looking original Cricket when my two sons were little.

They grew so fast in a couple of years they both much preferred my Ruger 10/22, or a 100 year old Winchester 1906 pump.

Don't jump in too fast, because it will be money better spent later on.

For my money, it would be the CZ Scout they can grow into.

rc

 

[Inebriated]

Were I you, I'd take a look at a Ruger 10/22 and the new Magpul X-22 stock. LOP adjusts with spacers so he can grow into it, and being a 10/22, you have all the sight options in the world. Personally, I think notch/post sights are the most intuitive for getting a child to hit a target, which is the most important part... it's not fun if they keep missing.

I know a lot of guys like to start kids with single-shots, but I would say that if you're supervising your child the entire time, it's a non-issue. I started with a Marlin Model 60 and was supervised 100%, never had a problem. And to my point about him growing into that 10/22.... I now have that Model 60. It's reasonable to assume that he'll want to continue using it for many years to come. And for what it's worth, that Magpul stock isn't necessarily pretty, but it's a very comfortable stock, and more importantly, a functional one. Should be shipping any time now.

 

[BCRider]

There's so many issues for fit and use that I feel that worrying about getting a rifle that'll "grow" with the child is pretty much a very distant factor. Kids grow out of things. It's the nature of the game. But at the same time they grow out of the things that were amusing enough to hold their attention early on and want something new and shiny.

So buy the rifle that fits for their age. It's easier to hold a rifle that is too small than one which is too big. And eventually either sell it to a buddy with smaller kids or pack it away for your grandchildren once your own boy/girl (for others reading in) gets to where it's too small for them or they just want to move on to something else.

In the meantime SOME amount of stretch can be had by fitting a thicker butt plate such as replacing a plastic plate for a thick recoil pad. That'll hold things back for a couple of growth spurts. But after that I'd suggest that it's time to move on to the next gun.

 

[Hookeye]

Bud cut down a Romanian .22 bolt rig, slapped a 2.5X Weaver on it.
We started our 1st daughters (both 3 yrs old) shooting that rifle, off bipods.
Kid would wear hearing protection and safety glasses, sit on dad's lap with the gun on a low table in the sunroom, and plink little airgun IHMSA targets with CB's out the open window.

Could buy bricks of CB back then.

Funny, we had to pull the kid's heads back to where the scope would look right.
They eventually understood or remembered what it should be, and pinged steel over and over.

Go to set them back up and maybe 5 ft from the railroad tie they sat on, was a band of lead in the grass. All those CB's flattened out and deposited in pretty much one stripe.

I did get an older Chipmunk rifle. Man that rig would shoot CCI Stingers well. Heck, i popped two big groundhogs with it, 50 yards, dropped both where they stood, neck shots.

But like another said..........kids grow fast. Rifle got too small too quick. Sold it.

Elementary school, the kids shot my Sav/Anschutz 141 and Rem 541T.

Only one young one left now (17) and she has started to show a more serious interest in shooting, of course her fave gun is grandpa's Exemplar.

 

[Hookeye]

Whenever the grandkids come about........no dang hurry either............I'll just slap a youth buttstock on my Contender .22 rifle.


FWIW my kids liked the Colt Woodsman when little, more than the Ruger Mk2 or High Standard 103.

Oldest when in 8th grade, maybe weighed 85#. She'd run a Commander with 230 gr ball and blast popcans at 15 yards over and over, grinning from ear to ear.
Did not like shooting .44 magnum Ruger w scope.

But gave it a go several times as the lack of a bullet in the X really honked her off.

I think now at 23 she's still PO'd about that. Wants to blast .44 magnums.

Kids.

 

[bamajoey]

The CZ Scout comes with a single shot adapter. You can also get a 5 round or a 10 round mag if you prefer. I have already bought a Scout for my twin g-daughters and look forward to teaching them how to shoot.

 

[Dave Markowitz]

About 3 years ago I started my then 8 y/o daughter with a Daisy Red Ryder BB gun. She had to tuck the stock under her armpit for her to be able to use the sights because the LOP was too long.

Two years ago I got her a LH Savage Rascal with which she's done very well. IMHO, the Rascal is the best youth rifle on the market for small children, for several reasons:

1. The stock is sized appropriately for small kids.
2. Good sights. It has a nice peep sight mounted on the receiver. You can mount a scope or red dot if you want.
3. It has the Savage AccuTrigger, so it has a good, crisp trigger pull that's not too heavy.
4. There is a spring loaded plastic loading ramp that simplifies loading.

She's expressed an interest in moving up to a repeater, so earlier this week I ordered a Choate M4-style telescoping stock for my Ruger 10/22. With the stock collapsed the LOP is only a little longer than the Rascal's, and of course, it's adjustable so she can lengthen it as she grows.

 

[garyhan]

Another vote for the Savage Rascal. I gave one to my 8 year old son a few months ago. It works great for him and he loves it, Nice trigger and very accurate.

gary

 

[Sheepdog1968]

I think ghost rings are much better than the notch sights. I shoot well in general but have really struggled on just about all notch style sights. If irons I would go with ghost ring rear. Having said that, I think for a beginner, a scope or red dot is a better way to go at first. They will have an easier time shooting making it more enjoyable. There is so much going on at first when learning how to shoot, anything that can be done, in my opinion, to make it easier is worth doing. That way they have fun, are excited, and want to do it again. After they are comfortable with shooting, then I would introduce iron sights.

By the way, my rug rat is still young, 4. My wife and I talked about getting her the first gun. We have decided to hold off. The reason is that we want to make a big event of it so she can remember it when she is older. I take her with me to the trap league. She gets a big kick out of it and sitting with the tween, teen girls orb the score keeper when I'm shooting. I also take her to the gun store. Lately, she has been oooing and ahhing at pink stocked firearms. I'm likely going to get her a take down Ruger 10-22 in a pink stock with a youth appropriate LOP. When she becomes an adult, she will be able to use it and just put on a new stock that fits her and is of the style she likes. Several years ago I bought a youth lever action 22 rifle by Browning. I like its compact size for plinking and squirrel hunting and it will fit her when she starts to shoot before we buy her her own 22.

 

[Ian83]

I recently gave a friend of mine the rifle I started with because he wanted to teach his son to shoot. It was a model 1883 Springfield, bolt action .22 long rifle. My favorite things about it were the weight, small caliber, and incredibly smooth action. I mention the weight first, because it outweighs my .50 Thompson/Center by 4.5 pounds, resulting in a steadier platform with the lightest recoil of anything I've ever used. Although I don't know if the manufacturer makes any other stocks for it, it has a simple enough design that anyone with a wood planer can make a stock to their own specs. It originally came without one, so I made my own out of beechwood, with steel weights in the forearm and buttstock. Carved another out of walnut, after having an NRA instructor measure him to ensure a comfortable fit. The .22 is also great for plinking with nail gun rounds which are essentially rimfire brass with no powder and a very short conical, barely a step up from an airgun. Thick barrel wall makes it rugged enough for almost any terrain and few moving parts make for an overall easy to learn mechanism.

 

[Wanderling]

I bought my son a Marlin 795, so far a great shooting rifle. He loves it and is very accurate with it, with a $30 scope from Amazon. Few hiccups after going through two bricks. And it was fairly inexpensive, $125 brand new. Highly recommended.