Youth Shooting Suggestions
I have seen a couple of posts regarding youth shooting. I just introduced my eldest and second eldest to shooting. The 14 year old LOVES his little Winchester 9022 22mag. He just saved up to buy a box of Remington Premiers with the 33 grain Accutip-V.
My 7 year old just doesn't have the reach that the 14 year old does, but he already HAS to go with me.[:D]
I have been looking at youth rifles in 22 LR. I have looked at the Henry youth lever action, but it still looks a little long. I was also looking at that little CRICKET single shot bolt action. I have seen those relatively cheap on GB, but I want to find something for the little guy to not only learn the basics, but to develop some confidence.
I was just wondering if someone had a good suggestion.
My 7 year old just doesn't have the reach that the 14 year old does, but he already HAS to go with me.[:D]
I have been looking at youth rifles in 22 LR. I have looked at the Henry youth lever action, but it still looks a little long. I was also looking at that little CRICKET single shot bolt action. I have seen those relatively cheap on GB, but I want to find something for the little guy to not only learn the basics, but to develop some confidence.
I was just wondering if someone had a good suggestion.
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Almost every brand has a junior size rifle or two. Another option is to get a regular sized rifle like a 10-22 and shorten the stock or find a stock already shortened. There are many takeoff stocks for popular models so cutting the stock is not an expensive move. This has been my preference for my 3 kids and now those cutoffs are ready for service with a couple of 5 year old grandsons. You can always reattach a full sized stock when your little shooters grow up. 0 -
Agree with Mobuck.
I have seen so many kids trying to shoot with the stock under their armpit and twisting their neck to see the sight. But just suggest to Ol Dad that he might shorten the stock to suit his son, and he will say "He will grow into it." I will say "Not if he loses interest because he can't hit anything."
Friend of mine cut down a Remington bolt action to suit his Nephew and Niece and they had a lot of fun. Accurate, too.0 -
My oldest has a very nice Weatherby Patrician pump. I know they are not any collector item, but I would like to find him a shorter stock for it. Any ideas as far as where to look? 0 -
I started shooting at 13 years old with a JR. rifle team then as I got older, I was the "teacher". I recommend you start a kid with a bolt action gun and open sites. NO semi-autos. "One shot- One "kill".
Let them out grow the gun, don't start them with some thing that will be useful as they grow up. This helps make them strive to improve so they "have" to get a better gun.
I started with a 513 remington. then a savage mark 10 Anshutz, then went to a model 64, then a 1413 free-style with a 20X scope.
Bob0 -
Get a 10/22 and a spare stock. Lop off part of the butt (make it flat), put on a recoil pad of some sort (to length and also to provide a better nonslip surface). I cut mine off where the indent for the buttplate ends on top, then put a 1/2" thick recoil pad on it. My kids (9 and 6) have no issues with it and can actually do something besides spray and pray.. 0 -
1988z01,
If a single shot rifle is what you want, and cutting the stock is what you need, then a Stevens (A.K.A. Savage/ Stevens) 15/ 15A/ 15B might be worth a look:
http://www.GunBroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=163638393
They are simple, accurate, and a blast to shoot. They are no longer in production, and you can sometimes find them for $50.00-to-$75.00. You can cut down the stock, and keep the pieces to add as he grows.
Good luck![;)]0 -
I started my daughter out at 7 with a 22 Chipmunk single shot bolt. It was a great first rifle, very acurate, inexpensive and fun to shoot. She has out grown it now, but it sits in my safe waiting for her kids to use once she has them. 0 -
I'd say a semiautomatic detachable mag gun like the 10-22 isn't ideal as a first gun for a kid, BUT, the gun is so upgradeable, that if you start them off with one, they can later do all sorts of things with it to make it more interesting.
So many people upgrade the stocks on their 10/22s that like-new used factory stocks are readily available pretty cheap on flEa-bay, etc for only about $30.
Edit: Responding to below, maybe its a little off the beaten path, and you didn't mention budget, but if you're willing to entertain a semiautomatic gun, why not go all the way?
Many AR-15 guns come from the factory with collapsible stocks, or you can always add one to a fixed stock gun. A gun like that won't be inexpensive, particularly as a first gun, but its a boon in many ways:
a. The adjustable stock means that the gun can grow with the kid, without any other modifications.
b. The same gun can be shot by kids (and adults) of different sizes just by adjusting the stock, which takes about 3 seconds without tools.
For example, the standard M4 collapsible stock runs a length of pull from 10.25 - 13.625" and if you had to, you could further increase it by adding a thick buttpad. Now compare to the "Crickett" rifle, which has a fixed LOP of 12 inches.
c. Just by switching uppers, the same gun can easily be converted from .22LR to other calibers (including .223, 5.45x39, 7.62x39, 9mm luger, .40SW, etc, etc). Guns are also highly modular to swap accessories (grips, trigger, sights, etc) later.
d. Kids *LOVE* AR-15s, since they're on TV, in the military, in video games like "Call of Duty" etc. So do adults.
Problem here is cost. AR-15 stripped lower runs about $230. You can run .22LR through an ordinary .223 upper with a $200 conversion unit, but then, of course, you need to get an upper which will run at least another $300 (at least).
I'd suggest instead going with a dedicated .22LR upper. Those start at $300, and go up in price from there, with most of the better ones costing about $500, and serious match level ones going up in cost even further.
For the money, you could just buy one of the AR-15 pure .22LR "clone" guns like the Colt or Smith and Wesson, but I think you give up a lot of flexibility that way, since you can't change calibers and they won't accept all of the normal AR-15 accessories should you want to (say) drop in a match trigger, etc. A "real" AR-15 may cost a little more, but I think its worth it.
On 10-22s, you can always get one with a collapsible stock too, and that will take care of size issues.0 -
I think I am looking a little more into the single shot bolt action. I'm not only teaching how to shoot here, but I am also trying to teach him how to operate the basic types of guns such as bolt actions, single shots, levers, and work him up slowly to semi's. I was looking at the Henry youth, JUST because I think it is a sweet looking little gun that would keep its value. Now, I am leaning to a little single shot bolt action.
I know I say he's only 7, but I was never able to expose him to firearms, shooting, etc. Now that his mom is out of the picture for this area of his life, I can bring him in. When I was his age I was helping out (under great scrutiny) with reloading.
As of right now, I am looking at something similar to the Marlin 915, Savage Cub, or KSA Crickett. Does anyone have any experience with one of these???0 -
quote:Originally posted by 1988z01
I think I am looking a little more into the single shot bolt action. I'm not only teaching how to shoot here, but I am also trying to teach him how to operate the basic types of guns such as bolt actions, single shots, levers, and work him up slowly to semi's. I was looking at the Henry youth, JUST because I think it is a sweet looking little gun that would keep its value. Now, I am leaning to a little single shot bolt action.
I know I say he's only 7, but I was never able to expose him to firearms, shooting, etc. Now that his mom is out of the picture for this area of his life, I can bring him in. When I was his age I was helping out (under great scrutiny) with reloading.
As of right now, I am looking at something similar to the Marlin 915, Savage Cub, or KSA Crickett. Does anyone have any experience with one of these???
The Marlin is a nice rifle. It and the Crickett are made in USA, but the Marlin's finish and quality are much nicer. The Savage Cub is imported as are many youth .22 rifles (remington's is imported as well). The 915 is what I'm saving up to buy for my kids.0 -
Another option is a break open such as H&R or rossi. They are economical, readily available and can be had in "youth" sizes, with the bonus of switchable barrels. 0 -
Got my daughter a 10/22 but used the Blackhawk stock for her short reach. The stock has the collapsable stock so as she grows you could adjust. If she lost interest the gun goes long so I can shoot it (I'm 6-3, long armed) or use it to carry in the truck. This stock lightens the rifle as well so it would be very easy to use with the 7 year old. That way you could add a scope or other goodies he would like and keep the weight down. 0 -
Another one that just came up with a break open youth gun is Thompson Center. They call it the Hot Shot. It looks like a small Encore or Contender rifle. Its MSRP is not listed, but should be right around 200.00.
http://www.tcarms.com/firearms/youth_models.php0
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