Ruger 10-22 Youth Stock

[Glockster35]

Ok, I have decided to get my 5 year old son involved in shooting. I want to start him out on my Ruger 10-22 carbine. Since I inherited this rifle from my father, I don't wish to cut the birch stock up, or change teh barrel (right now). What is the best place to get one of these cut down to size stocks?

I know Brownells and Cabellas have them for about $60, but I would prefer a Synthetic, or possibly one that is used, since my boys will surely bang it up a little bit.

Anyone else go this route?

 

[taprackbang]

You could advertise to buy a cheap 10/22 stock. Folks who put aftermarket synthetic stocks on their rifles will sometimes sell the original (cheaply). At a gunshow last year I bought a nice used one for $15, for a future camo paint experiment.

Then , as a project, let your son help you shorten it and put a buttplate on it.

 

[DougB]

Please don't take offense - you obviously know your boy, but I'd be very nervous about giving a five-year-old a semi-automatic firearm. I have a ten-year-old boy of my own, and he's fired my guns many times - always under extremely close (hovering over) supervision, but I only gave him his first single-shot pellet gun for his 10th birthday. I considered a bolt-action .22 at first, but decided the pellet gun would allow him to shoot more often, and be less likely to lead to flinching.

I've taken lots of boy scouts (12 and up) shooting, and I don't think a lot of them are ready for a semi-auto. I understand being anxious to get your boy into your hobby (I feel the same way), but I wouldn't want to be at the range with a 5-year-old shooting a 10/22 unless dad were physically controlling muzzle direction at all times. I'm sure many kids that young could physically point the rifle and pull the trigger - but is it realistic (or fair) for us to expect them to learn and practice safe gun handling 100% of the time?

I don't mean to be critical or tell you your business (especially when you didn't ask for opinions on this), but the thought of a five-year-old with a semi-automatic makes me nervous. And I've already learned by my own experience that it doesn't pay push your kids into your hobbies before they are ready.

Regarding the shorter stock, I'm sure there are many extras around from people who have replaced them. I'd ask at the gun stores or maybe post on a 10/22 forum.

Doug

 

[Glockster35]

I hear what you are saying Doug, thanks for the concern.

I have several 10 round magazines I will load with one round at a time to keep him from having more than one round to fire. That was my plan from the beginning. Plus I wouldn't let him screw up my hi-caps.

I have also thought about getting them a BB gun for training before we hit the range, Yep you guessed it, a Daisy, I wanted to get it before the ban hits them too, or they get recalled.

I am a firearms instructor in the military and I am sure I can take care of one shooter on the line, it's much easier than watching 31 students (all acting like little kids).

As for the stock, I am still unsure what to do.