First rifle for children

T

tp1l

New member
My wife and I are looking to get a first rifle for use both by our 10 yo daughter and 7 to son.

Weve pretty much settled on the Cricket for the first one. Both are kids are small for their age, and most full sized rifles are ridiculously unwieldy for them.

What I was wondering is if there are any more options we might need to consider in that same length and weight range?

Other than the Chipmunk (which looks like it is now owned by the same folks) we haven't found anything else that looks comfortable for them.
 
The Cricket is a good first gun. You'll have a hard time finding another bolt action rifle that a 7 year old can handle as well as a Cricket.

My only objection to the cricket is the plastic on the rear of the bolt. Probably doesn't affect the function of the gun, but it bothers me. I'd rather the gun be made of all steel, or at least have the option to upgrade to steel.
 
Might seem a little foolish, but I'd be darned if my kid's first rifle would be a Chinese rifle. My first was a Chipmunk made in Oregon, real steel and walnut. Now it belongs to my 6 year old son.

I know it's not easy to find an honest to gosh American made kid's rifle without searching the auctions and forums, but..........
Just sayin'.
 
I'll vote the Cricket as well, otherwise... a Crossman air rifle there was a reason no birds visited my mom's bird feeders, and squirrels failed to appear in the yard when I was a kid. :D
 
Thompson center makes a youth version of the Encore. One of my friends bought one for his kid (whos 8) and hes said nothing but good things about it.
 
1st Rifle

Check out the Savage Cub. It is a single shot .22, blue steel, laminate stock, and most importantly includes the Savage Accu-Trigger. The Accu-Trigger is user adjustable. You can adjust the trigger pressure up to prevent accidental discharges and as your children become more proficient you can reduce the trigger pressure for better accuracy. To my knowledge, this is the only youth .22 with a user adjustable trigger. The Savage should run about $50 more than a Cricket.
 
Consider a Henry MiniBolt,,,

A good friend of mine bought this rifle for his 8 year old daughter,,,
It is the same high quality as my full-size Henry AccuBolt.

Click here please,,,

MSRP is a pricey $249.00,,,
He found it for $199.00 at a gun show.

It's an extremely accurate little rifle,,,
No tin can out to 75 yards is safe around her.

Aarond
 
When my son was that age I got him a well worn but very functional Winchester 1890 in .22 short. He's 25 and still owns/loves the thing. They're not much and you can even get the Rossi knockoff.
 
Unless you just HAVE to have new....

Haunt the gunshops, pawn shops and gunshows. Look for one of the old single shots (my first training rifle was a JC Higgins bolt single shot that belonged to Mom), and look for one with a good bore.

The rest of the rifle doesn't matter nearly as much, and some finish dings are fine, just don't pay an arm and a leg. Over time, your kid will add his own scratches and dings, most likely.

My son's first rifle was a winchester that his grandfather gave him (model 69A I think), and we cut off the stock about 4 inches so it would fit him. We saved the cut off part, and several years later, put it back on, again, so it would fit him.

Get a new gun, if you want, but consider a good (mechanical condition) used one, they are often very cheap, and remember that the gun is going to take some knocks, especially when they are big enough to be out on their own with it.

I'm a firm believer in kids starting out with a single shot or bolt repeater, and Iron Sights. After they develope a little skill, then you can move them to a lever or semi, and a scope if you want. But they should have to work for each shot at first. Give a kid a semi, and they will blaze away. Video games don't teach shooting, they teach blasting. Make sure the kids learn the difference!
 
Do you like beer, wine, or champagne?

Beer = Crickett
Wine = Henry
Champagne = CZ

I opted for fine aged wine. (Winchester model 67)

Chances are, you can find one at a local pawn shop or auction, if you look around.
 
Cool - I never heard of or seen a Savage Cub. Looks like a really nice youth rifle! I might have to look at one of those for my kid.
 
I bought the Henry Youth Model levergun. H001 is the model number, I believe. Liked it so much that I shoot it pretty regularly, just for fun.

IMHO, the "cool factor" of a levergun is much higher than a boltgun. Just one man's opinion.
 
Hello, tp1l. Years ago most all of the major manufacturers built what was termed "Boys rifles"..In fact in you can find it, There is a pretty good sized book just on these rifles by Grant..long out of print. If you hunt the shows, sometimes a nice little Stevens Favorite can be found..even better if it is a re-line job..cheaper too. Otherwise, Savage made a run of the Favorite copy in the mid to late 70's..nice little rifle with tapered oct. brl. If you can tell..I favor starting out with a S.S. One thing to think about..whether you start with a Stevens, Rem. roller, Win. lowwall, or other quality American built single-shot..just think what that little rifle will be worth..when they introduce their kids to shooting!
 
When my daughter was 5, I found a German parlor rifle in .22 CB cap bought it and had it rechambered for .22 short.

Another relative bought a matching pair of .22 single shots for my twin grandsons and I've put money down on a pink Chipmunk .22 for my granddaughter. It'll be a couple years before she can shoot it but I know she's going to love it, after all it's pink...

Tony
 
I started my kids and now my grandson on the Marlin 15YN, aka "Lil Buckaroo" - a small youth-sized single shot bolt action .22 that is as accurate as any 22 I have ever owned or shot
 
I just picked up a Marlin 15YN at a gun show for $75. It's exactly what I was looking for for my 7 year old. A well built kid sized wood & blue steel single shot bolt action.

Stu
 
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