A rifle for my girlfriend

N

Nine the Ranger

New member
My Girlfriend is TERRIFIED of guns, mostly to the negative media about them, but She has told me that she is willing to give it a try on several conditions:

1: It has to be a small caliber, so naturally it'll be a .22

2: It has to be a lefty rifle, or somthing she can work with being left handed.

3: She doesn't want it to be too expensive, in case she doesn't like it.

My thought was instantly: Ruger 10/22, that way if she doesn't like it I could use it. But one of the Cricket single-shot .22 rifles makes sense too.

Thoughts?
 
Unless your girlfriend is absolutely tiny,,,

Unless your girlfriend is absolutely tiny,,,
The Crickett will be way too small for her.

It was designed as a first rifle for small children.

Your initial thought of a 10/22 is reasonable,,,
But so would a Marlin model 60, Remington model 597, or a Mossberg 702 Plinkster.

...that way if she doesn't like it I could use it.
Click to expand...

Are you sure you're not using her as an excuse,,,
To buy something you want for yourself? ;)

No biggie of you are,,
I've done the same thing myself.

Buy what you want to own,,,
If she likes it get her one for her own.

Aarond

.
 
Yep, that's tiny,,,

Yep, that's tiny,,,
But bigger than the kids the Cricket is designed for.

I have a friend with a wife about your size,,,
A few more pounds but the same height,,,
She shoots a Marlin model 60 just fine.

All of the rifles I mentioned (and others as well) are about the same size.

Your biggest concern will be her left-handedness (is that a real word?),,,
Semi's might eject the brass into her face or down her shirt-front,,,
I have no left-hand experience so I can't really advise you there.

But my original suggestion is still what I recommend,,,
Buy the best rifle you can afford for yourself,,,
Chances are she will like it as well as you,,,
Buy another for her and you will match.

Good fortune my friend,,,

Aarond

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It is hard to beat a 10-22 or Marlin 60.

You need to be prepared to cut the stock down to fit her. Even a light rifle with stock length for the hypothetical average 5'8" American male will be awkward for her to handle. Ruger and Marlin stocks are not expensive, if she doesn't stay with it, you can restock it to suit yourself.

Especially kids, I hate to see a child with a gun butt under his armpit trying to see the sights. Dad: "Well, he will grow into it." Not if he gets discouraged and gives up, he won't.
 
Get a Ruger 10/22 and buy a bullpup stock. Ambi controls, and a slick set up you wouldn't mind keeping around "if" she doesn't like it
 
from the sounds of things she is just trying to be supportive of your hobby. as such you probably want to go as cheap as possible. marlin model 60s are very suited to smaller(not tiny) shooters, are very accurate and only cost around 120-150 dollars. I still regret giving up my marlin 60 for a ruger 1022.

also you might want to discount the suggestions for bullpup kits. the ejection port would be placed right next to a left handed shooters face and would guaranty a poor experience.
 
Here you go.. This should fit your needs perfectly. I'm not sure if they are still being offered... Anyway abit more than your budget but not so bad considering it's a left handed rifle, and a youth size. If it isnt a perfect fit you can always add a recoil pad to gain length, or have a gun smith trim the butt to size down.

Savage 10 + 1 Left Handed 22 LR Youth w/AccuTrigger/Blue Barrel/Walnut Stock

http://www.gandermountain.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?i=416275&pdesc=Savage_10_1_Left_Handed_22_LR_Youth_w/AccuTrigger/Blue_Barrel/Walnut_Stock&aID=510B1&merchID=4006
 
^5 to Tahunua001

The Bullpup stock would put the action literally in her left ear,,,
That would (in my not-so-humble opinion) be a bad thing.

Perhaps one of the S&W Tactical .22 rifles,,,
811062_01_md.jpg

But they are a bit pricier. :eek:

Aarond

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Probably should get a rifle that SHE thinks feels the best to her. If you just get whatever rifle you think she'll like, she won't have any buy-in on the decision and no real reason to make it work for her.
 
I found this at The Cornered Cat,,,

Here is a list of rifles and shotguns that was compiled by PAX,,,
She is one of the Moderators at this forum.

Shotguns and Rifles for Children and Petite Adults.

Note that the Henry Lever Action rifles show this statement about their guns:
icn-lefthanded.png


PAX put together a nice list with hyperlinks to most of the pertinent websites.

Hope this helps,,,

Aarond

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A rifle for my girlfriend
Click to expand...
Sounds like a fair trade. ;)

Just kidding, of course.

Here's s tip: semiautos spit hot cases out through the ejection port. Since your girlfriend is lefthanded, make sure she wears a shirt that the brass won't fly down the neck opening. She would not be real happy with you if you didn't warn her. 22LR cases right out of an autoloader are not as hot as 223 or 308, but I can almost guarantee she would feel it.
 
go with a bolt action savage. less likely of an accident till she gets used to her finger on the trigger. Got my ol lady started on a savage .17 hmr. A little more range but once she squeezes the trigger and hits the target it's over no risk of an un intended follow up shot! Which after my neos outing with her happened and scared her a bit. Now she more confident around guns.
 
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.300 not only is that a twin to my.17 but that also looks like my porch door. the ol lady finlay said I have to be outside completely. so I put my bench on my deck.
 
So...a .22 action that basically whispers as it is, topped off with ear pro is loud? Wow...she must have bionic ears
 
Do some shopping around. Most rifle makers produce left handed bolt action rifles in .22LR. You should be able to pick one up new for about $200.

Another idea would be to get her a .22 revolver.
 
I would go with a bolt action .22. You may want to look at the Marlins and Savages. If she will not be offended, look at good condition used rifles.

Call me old fashioned, but I think everyone's first long rifle should be a .22 bolt. You have to work the action and think before each shot, rather than spraying down the target. A bolt action is inherently safer and easier to maintain than a semi-auto. too.
 
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