A rifle for my girlfriend

Another vote for the henry. Plenty of youth models for the smaller stature, she can move the rifle off of her sholder when she reloads if she doesn't like the brass flying past her face, and if you have a private place to shoot, you can start with CB's so you don't have to worry about hearing protection.
 
Since your girl friend is small in stature she may need a youth model (regular rifle with a shorter stock) or have the stock shortened to fit her. I suggest she will be more likely to enjoy shooting if she has a gun that is comfortable and that she can shoot well. This would apply to shotguns as well. If you want her to join you and enjoy the shooting sports spending a modest amount spent to equip her properly will pay dividends.
 
Consider a lever action 22 for her and consider a receiver mounted peep sight instead of a scope. I think she would like the setup and a lever is very adaptable to a lefty.
 
If your girlfriend does not have adequate uppper body strength to steady the gun she may get discouraged. My wife shoots lefty and does not have strength to hold up and steady most guns. I started her with a 22 that is both light weight and ambidextrous, the Stevens Favorite. It only weighs 4.5 pounds and she does quite well with it. I like it too.

She then migrated to a Magtech 410 single shot shotgun with a similar drop-lever action. Shocked me when she went to the Hunter's Education and part of the class work was in the field. She busted 3 out of 3 clay pigeons with the 410! Now she has a couple of opossums and a few skunks to her credit and didn't bother me to get rid of the undesirables around the barn.

She has also learned to shoot my Ruger #1 25-06 (see the recurring theme with the drop-lever action and ambidextrous stock). I'm certain if she had gotten discouraged early on she would not have pursued it and the similarities in the guns gives her confidence in what she's doing.
 
its un-american to not own a ruger 10/22 :p


kidding of course


if you do go for a 10/22 go for the lighter guns. While the bull barrel may be more accurate the light weight barrels tend to be more fun (at least it was the case with my wife, my daughter and my sister).

My wife's favroit rifleis an antique single shot 22short/22long/22xlong single shot built in 1899. It has shot 22lr since before I was born. It is very accurate with the cheep subsonic ammo.
 
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I vote for a solid .22 bolt action from Marlin, Savage or CZ. Have her learn on iron sights before she becomes dependent on a scope (CZs have solid iron sights and Tech Sights sells great after market aperture sights for many .22 rifles, including Marlin, Savage and CZ).
 
I vote for a solid .22 bolt action from Marlin, Savage or CZ. Have her learn on iron sights before she becomes dependent on a scope (CZs have solid iron sights and Tech Sights sells great after market aperture sights for many .22 rifles, including Marlin, Savage and CZ).
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Lol. Surprised you didn't suggest starting out with a flintlock along with those iron sights. Wouldn't want anyone to get dependant on things like a repeating action. There's always one in every crowd.
 
chucknbach said:
There's always one in every crowd.
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Yes, it appears so.

Although I haven't checked the catalogs lately, I do recall Marlin, CZ and Savage making multi-shot bolt action rifles (repeaters). Is there something inherently wrong in learning how to shoot a .22 with iron or peep sights if the new shooter has adequate eyesight?
 
Dang Chucky, you're harsh. You a call of Duty boy? Wanna set er up with a Browning BAR with 15 things hanging off of it? Kids.:rolleyes:

Nothing wrong with iron sights, especially good peeps.
 
Hello Nine,,,

Wise choice,,,
Not too expensive,,,
Reliable as a hammer,,,
Accurate enough for any purpose.

I scoped mine because of my old eyes,,,
The iron sights on mine (H&R instead of NEF) are just fine.

Aarond

.
 
I have a marlin 795 shoots good and the price was around 200. Never have had any issues with it and is perfect for anyone to shoot. I put a scope on mine for small game as squirel and what not but it comes with sights on it ready to shoot. Got everything at dicks sporting goods
 
Sorry, I'm so harsh. It's just there's always someone suggesting irons for a new shooter and when you ask why, they don't know. Why hadicap a new shooter with a sighting sytem that's inherently inaccurate and takes longer to learn fundementals just because it's traditional. Is it wrong? No, there's just better ways.

Call of duty boy? No, grown man, yes. I play it with my kids, it's alot of fun. Been shooting for about 30 years longer than I've played CD.
 
Sounds to me like you can't use iron sights. They are not inherently inaccurate. Perhaps they take a little longer to learn than using a scope, but you have three focal planes instead of one to look at.

Sounds tough huh? Changing focus with your eye a little bit while sighting. Oh, it's very much more involved than looking through a scope.:rolleyes:

Don't teach your kids to drive a stick, no instant gratification. they'd have to (gasp) work at it a little. We don't want that, do we?
 
Actually, I'm very good with iron sights. Don't think I be so good with them if it weren't for scopes.

Scopes are better to learn on for this reason. You can better see the flaws in your fundamentals. If you can see it, you can correct for it and learn.

Even if your learner is only ever going to use irons, you should start them on a scope first. That way when you talk about breath control, natural point of aim or body position they'll better know how those effect their shot even if those things aren't as apparent when using the irons they will already have the ground work laid out from starting on the scope.

If your learner is only going to a scope then absolutely do not use the irons first.

If you only want to make it difficult than don't even give them iron sights just teach them how to sight down the bare barrel. Yes, I am pretty good at shooting that way as well.

Edward learning to drive on a stick is not a good analogy. I would equate it more to learning to drive a Mack truck. Yes, I can drive a Mack but I wouldn't start my kids on it. Can it be done? For sure! But there are better ways.
 
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Henry AR-7

I just wanted to add my wife only likes the AR-7 survival take down rifle that fits into its stock. It may be less durable and less than robust ejector but the weight is very light and the sights work. No scope mounts. It's semi auto too with I think 8 round magazines. But it's fun and may weigh less than a BBgun. Henry makes it now, 2012. Buy it for yourself and she will love to share it.
 
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