First rifle
- Thread starter kenaihntr
- Start date
AKmud
Moderator
How old/big....
How old/big....
is he? I have had my daughter shooting a Henry mini-bolt for about 4 years now (she is currently 9). It is a very simple .22. Stainless/synthetic single shot with some great fiber optic "fire-sights". It is a nice little rifle if you need a youth model. Lightweight too.
A photo of her with her first spruce hen -
How old/big....
is he? I have had my daughter shooting a Henry mini-bolt for about 4 years now (she is currently 9). It is a very simple .22. Stainless/synthetic single shot with some great fiber optic "fire-sights". It is a nice little rifle if you need a youth model. Lightweight too.
A photo of her with her first spruce hen -
northriver21
New member
Take a look at the Rossi Matched Pair.
It is a single shot break open barrel. It comes with 2 interchangable barrels in .22/410.
I started my little guy with this gun it is a compact youth model. he shoots spruce hens with the 410. Having the option between shotgun and 22 is nice.
It breaks down and has its own little carrying case.
I think for the $$$ it is a great little combo.
Good Luck
It is a single shot break open barrel. It comes with 2 interchangable barrels in .22/410.
I started my little guy with this gun it is a compact youth model. he shoots spruce hens with the 410. Having the option between shotgun and 22 is nice.
It breaks down and has its own little carrying case.
I think for the $$$ it is a great little combo.
Good Luck
akfishinguy
Member
Couldn't hardly go wrong with a Ruger 10/22 (think they're also making a compact version of it now). That's what my dad started me out with, although a semi-auto might not be the best for a youngster. Maybe look for a simple bolt action .22LR.
There are a slew of them out there. I would suggest taking him to a gunstore that has several and see how well he can actuate the action. Some of them have such small/short bolts it's hard to get enough force for a child to cycle the action. Getting a stock that fits is paramount to shooting well, and don't hesitate to cut down a stock if it's too long. I got a Rossi pump for my kids, and had to cut 3" off the stock. I did drill a 1/2" hole in the stock first, so I can use dowls to align the stock as I glue it back on.
My kids have shot the 10/22, what I started with as a teen, but I'd suggest against it as a first gun. My 7 y/o loves it, but he's more interested in how fast he can empty the mag than with hitting a target, and thats kinda counter productive.
Don't dismiss a little bb gun to start him out with. They are much lighter than a 22, and having a gun light enough for them to handle helps them shooting in different positions. My 9 y/o does pretty good with the 22, and thats because he's learned on the bb gun.
My kids have shot the 10/22, what I started with as a teen, but I'd suggest against it as a first gun. My 7 y/o loves it, but he's more interested in how fast he can empty the mag than with hitting a target, and thats kinda counter productive.
Don't dismiss a little bb gun to start him out with. They are much lighter than a 22, and having a gun light enough for them to handle helps them shooting in different positions. My 9 y/o does pretty good with the 22, and thats because he's learned on the bb gun.
aktomboy
New member
What a great Chirstmas present!
What a great Chirstmas present!
I got a single shot chipmuck .22 for my birthday and worked up from there. I loved that rifle, it was small enough for me and I learned alot from it.
What a great Chirstmas present!
I got a single shot chipmuck .22 for my birthday and worked up from there. I loved that rifle, it was small enough for me and I learned alot from it.
AKmud
Moderator
Single shot
Single shot
Single shot is the way to go! It teaches them quality of their shot vs. quantity of lead flying downrange. I grew up with a 10/22 and went through many bricks of shells and didn't hit much for a long time. With this single shot I have for my daughter, she is proving to be a deadeye. I will eventually move her up to a 10/22, but for now she loves her single shot.
Also, after she shot my scoped 10/22 she has been bugging me to put a scope on hers. I told her no way! I want to see her master the open sights before we go to optics.
Single shot
Single shot is the way to go! It teaches them quality of their shot vs. quantity of lead flying downrange. I grew up with a 10/22 and went through many bricks of shells and didn't hit much for a long time. With this single shot I have for my daughter, she is proving to be a deadeye. I will eventually move her up to a 10/22, but for now she loves her single shot.
Also, after she shot my scoped 10/22 she has been bugging me to put a scope on hers. I told her no way! I want to see her master the open sights before we go to optics.
Cz 452 Scout
Cz 452 Scout
Check out the CZ 452 SCOUT. It's essentially the same gun as the adult version the 452 AMERICAN, smaller scale stock with a shorter LOP and the barrel is shorter as well. It comes with a single shot magazine which can be replaced with a 5rd mag when you feel they are ready for a repeater. Adjustable trigger and a match type chamber make this little bolt action .22rf one they will want to keep on shooting, even after they grow up. The CZ 452's are one of the very best Rimfire bolt actions on the market for the money.........Very accurate!
Cz 452 Scout
Check out the CZ 452 SCOUT. It's essentially the same gun as the adult version the 452 AMERICAN, smaller scale stock with a shorter LOP and the barrel is shorter as well. It comes with a single shot magazine which can be replaced with a 5rd mag when you feel they are ready for a repeater. Adjustable trigger and a match type chamber make this little bolt action .22rf one they will want to keep on shooting, even after they grow up. The CZ 452's are one of the very best Rimfire bolt actions on the market for the money.........Very accurate!
thunder chicken1
New member
NEF
NEF
NEF makes a 22 lr and 410 combo in a youth model so you have the best of both worlds.
NEF
NEF makes a 22 lr and 410 combo in a youth model so you have the best of both worlds.
Little guns...
Little guns...
kenaihntr,
I would highly reccomend the CZ scout, as Grizzly1 suggested. I have six of these for my little kid classes. Kids learn to safely load, aim and shoot these at age five. I also have a couple of the basic (I think model 513) which is slightly longer on both ends but still very small and light weight. It comes with a five shot mag but will accept the single shot adapter.
First shots are usually sitting and holding on sand bags with help from a grown up but they can handle the rifles very quickly. I have a bunch of marksman grandkids.
AKmud,
Great pic of the cutie and her rifle. I have question about that Henry, does it cock with the bolt or do you have to pull it to cock like the old Winchesters? That looks like a good rifle, and of course a great kid.
Good shootin'.
Murphy
Little guns...
kenaihntr,
I would highly reccomend the CZ scout, as Grizzly1 suggested. I have six of these for my little kid classes. Kids learn to safely load, aim and shoot these at age five. I also have a couple of the basic (I think model 513) which is slightly longer on both ends but still very small and light weight. It comes with a five shot mag but will accept the single shot adapter.
First shots are usually sitting and holding on sand bags with help from a grown up but they can handle the rifles very quickly. I have a bunch of marksman grandkids.
AKmud,
Great pic of the cutie and her rifle. I have question about that Henry, does it cock with the bolt or do you have to pull it to cock like the old Winchesters? That looks like a good rifle, and of course a great kid.
Good shootin'.
Murphy
AKmud
Moderator
Henry Mini-bolt
Henry Mini-bolt
You have to cock it after you close the bolt by pulling back on the round knob behind the action. I worried about this originally because I thought it may misfire if she didn't get it pulled all the way back and released it accidentally. I have attempted to make it misfire intentionally this way and have been unable to do so. We really like the rifle other than the fact that the trigger pull is pretty stiff. Brand new less than $200.
Henry Mini-bolt
You have to cock it after you close the bolt by pulling back on the round knob behind the action. I worried about this originally because I thought it may misfire if she didn't get it pulled all the way back and released it accidentally. I have attempted to make it misfire intentionally this way and have been unable to do so. We really like the rifle other than the fact that the trigger pull is pretty stiff. Brand new less than $200.
akfishinguy
Member
"My 7 y/o loves it, but he's more interested in how fast he can empty the mag than with hitting a target, and thats kinda counter productive."
PaulH,
That's exactly why I think a bolt/pump/lever action would be best.....heck that same principle still applies to me!
My dad would usually let me rapid fire one or two clips, but the rest were regular "take your time and aim" shots.
PaulH,
That's exactly why I think a bolt/pump/lever action would be best.....heck that same principle still applies to me!
My dad would usually let me rapid fire one or two clips, but the rest were regular "take your time and aim" shots.
AKmud
Moderator
duh...
duh...
duh...
What I really meant was an accidental discharge....not a misfire. I had a brain misfire there.
Davy Crickett
Davy Crickett
My boys each have Davy Crickett's. Single shot, bolt action. It's amazing to me that they can burn up a 550 round box of ammo in one sitting, but they do it. There are some cool little accessories available for it it.
It has a rear peep sight, which I like.
Davy Crickett
My boys each have Davy Crickett's. Single shot, bolt action. It's amazing to me that they can burn up a 550 round box of ammo in one sitting, but they do it. There are some cool little accessories available for it it.
It has a rear peep sight, which I like.
Why not buy him an heirloom rifle, one he won't outgrow?
A Marlin 39 is just superb, plus they take down and can fit into a backpack or luggage. Very accurate, lever action, tube with large capacity, can shoot shorts or maybe those light-load Aguillas. Not too heavy, but definitely a gun he won't outgrow. Really nice with a good scope.
You might find a nice one on the used racks. It'd be pretty hard to go wrong with an older Remington 513 or 511, their pump .22s are pretty handy. Speedmasters are a nice semi-auto. Seven is too early to give a kid an autoloader though.
A Marlin 39 is just superb, plus they take down and can fit into a backpack or luggage. Very accurate, lever action, tube with large capacity, can shoot shorts or maybe those light-load Aguillas. Not too heavy, but definitely a gun he won't outgrow. Really nice with a good scope.
You might find a nice one on the used racks. It'd be pretty hard to go wrong with an older Remington 513 or 511, their pump .22s are pretty handy. Speedmasters are a nice semi-auto. Seven is too early to give a kid an autoloader though.
swampdonkey
New member
first rifles
first rifles
I just bought my son the Rossi 22/410 matched set for $199.00. All stainless w/ synthetic stock. He shot a brick of ammo through it in the first 2 days. For a single shot, that's putting 'em down range. I really liked the single shot theory because he's not allowed to rush the shot, so that first (and maybe his only shot), had better count. His form and patience has gotten drastically better because of it. He was a just a hair too short for my 10-22, but he liked the scope feature, so we went and put a scope on the Rossi. This gun fits him like a glove and his groups turned into jagged holes from the bench at 25yds and 1" groups at 50yds. If you get a scope, get a hammer extension, because the scope won't allow for his/your thumb to cock the hammer. Small $10.00 adjustment, no big deal. Other than that, the price was great, he loves it, it's EASY to clean and I even like shooting it. No dissappointments here!! It gets my vote!
first rifles
I just bought my son the Rossi 22/410 matched set for $199.00. All stainless w/ synthetic stock. He shot a brick of ammo through it in the first 2 days. For a single shot, that's putting 'em down range. I really liked the single shot theory because he's not allowed to rush the shot, so that first (and maybe his only shot), had better count. His form and patience has gotten drastically better because of it. He was a just a hair too short for my 10-22, but he liked the scope feature, so we went and put a scope on the Rossi. This gun fits him like a glove and his groups turned into jagged holes from the bench at 25yds and 1" groups at 50yds. If you get a scope, get a hammer extension, because the scope won't allow for his/your thumb to cock the hammer. Small $10.00 adjustment, no big deal. Other than that, the price was great, he loves it, it's EASY to clean and I even like shooting it. No dissappointments here!! It gets my vote!
reuben_j_cogburn
New member
I agree! Remington made the 521-T which was a youth target rifle (bolt action) with a target peep rear sight (Lyman 57).
I just spent 2 weeks borrowing one from my local shop field testing it before I plunked down the money. It is a supurbley[sic] accurate rifle and beautiful.
I know where there is another one if anyone is interested. Totally redone and gorgeous!!!!!!
reuben.....
I grew up shooting semi autos and don't plan to buy my kids one for their first rifle. I would get the kid a bolt action with a decent scope. Teach them to be careful and accurate, not how to blaze through a box of shells. Make sure and get an accurate gun, not some cheap POS. Only accurate guns are fun to shoot.
For older kids a 10/22 with an accurate bull barrel and high power scope can be a lot of fun. I have one that can group close to 1" at 100 yards on a calm day.
For older kids a 10/22 with an accurate bull barrel and high power scope can be a lot of fun. I have one that can group close to 1" at 100 yards on a calm day.
