Lucky guy my first born son is due Dec 31 my birthday. Im thinking way ahead but whats a good starter 22? I saw the cricket so far thats about all I have seen. Hope to start him shooting around 5. What age you guys start your kids?
- Thread starter bhoges
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Re: Baby on the way whats a good starter 22?
That is about how old I started my son. Marlin LilBuckeroo. It was too big for him and had to have it cut down. The CZ Scout is a really accurate youth rifle. Too big for a five year old unless you had the stock shortened. After handling a Scout, a Cricket will seem really inferior. Enjoy your son as they grow up and are gone really fast.
That is about how old I started my son. Marlin LilBuckeroo. It was too big for him and had to have it cut down. The CZ Scout is a really accurate youth rifle. Too big for a five year old unless you had the stock shortened. After handling a Scout, a Cricket will seem really inferior. Enjoy your son as they grow up and are gone really fast.
Re: Baby on the way whats a good starter 22?
My old man started me out with a Buckaroo. I have to say they are pretty accurate. I now have two boys of my own and the buckaroo is back in training mode. The ole gun has held up very well over the last 25 years.
I also started around 5 and I think that it help me be a more rounded shooter starting out with irons. Hell I never even had a scoped rifle till I was a adult.
Don't forget that you also need to go ahead and get a good single shot .410.
My old man started me out with a Buckaroo. I have to say they are pretty accurate. I now have two boys of my own and the buckaroo is back in training mode. The ole gun has held up very well over the last 25 years.
I also started around 5 and I think that it help me be a more rounded shooter starting out with irons. Hell I never even had a scoped rifle till I was a adult.
Don't forget that you also need to go ahead and get a good single shot .410.
Re: Baby on the way whats a good starter 22?
I started my son at 5 with a Cricket, I got it for a steal, so I wasn't too worried about it. I skipped the .22 and went straight to a 17hmr, and he loves it! he does pretty good with it, he's gotten to the point now that he can handle it alone. At first it was a little big for him, but I think part of that was because it is the target model (EX17) with a heavier barrel and a scope.
I started my son at 5 with a Cricket, I got it for a steal, so I wasn't too worried about it. I skipped the .22 and went straight to a 17hmr, and he loves it! he does pretty good with it, he's gotten to the point now that he can handle it alone. At first it was a little big for him, but I think part of that was because it is the target model (EX17) with a heavier barrel and a scope.
Re: Baby on the way whats a good starter 22?
I bought my daughter the CZ Scout at 9 she is just getting to where the stock fits right. Other than that it is miles ahead of the cricket oh and congrats on the boy! Steven
I bought my daughter the CZ Scout at 9 she is just getting to where the stock fits right. Other than that it is miles ahead of the cricket oh and congrats on the boy! Steven
Re: Baby on the way whats a good starter 22?
I'm not a big fan of the 'youth' rifles.
They're fine when they are five years old...but three years later they are just to short to be comfortable.
Unless you plan on a large family they end up being sold or sitting in the closet/safe.
This spring I bought a couple of XT-22 Marlins for my boys. The youngest (a small 8 year old) needed 2" cut off the stock. But in a couple of years we'll screw it back on and he'll be in business.
That and the magazines were put away till I knew they followed all the safety rules by heart.
Forty years ago my dad exactly this with my first gun...an old Mossberg .22. I still take it out occassionaly and shoot it...something that would look pretty silly with a Cricket...it would look like a dollar store toy in my hands, and be pretty uncomfortable to shoot.
I'm not a big fan of the 'youth' rifles.
They're fine when they are five years old...but three years later they are just to short to be comfortable.
Unless you plan on a large family they end up being sold or sitting in the closet/safe.
This spring I bought a couple of XT-22 Marlins for my boys. The youngest (a small 8 year old) needed 2" cut off the stock. But in a couple of years we'll screw it back on and he'll be in business.
That and the magazines were put away till I knew they followed all the safety rules by heart.
Forty years ago my dad exactly this with my first gun...an old Mossberg .22. I still take it out occassionaly and shoot it...something that would look pretty silly with a Cricket...it would look like a dollar store toy in my hands, and be pretty uncomfortable to shoot.
Re: Baby on the way whats a good starter 22?
CZ youth, great rifle, fits ok for my 5 year old, check out this little video of him. It's worth watching to see the joy on his face at about 30 seconds.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImfWEcVZPk8&feature=plcp
CZ youth, great rifle, fits ok for my 5 year old, check out this little video of him. It's worth watching to see the joy on his face at about 30 seconds.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImfWEcVZPk8&feature=plcp
Re: Baby on the way whats a good starter 22?
Started my daughter at around 5 with a cricket. I agree that they out grow them fast. But I didn't want her to be intimidated with a big gun (my dad did that to me) and now it is a family heirloom. She doesn't shoot it much anymore but she knows that when she moves out it and the wather p22 I bought her at age 9 go out the door with her. When I have grand kids I am sure it will be what they learn on. It means a lot to her.
Started my daughter at around 5 with a cricket. I agree that they out grow them fast. But I didn't want her to be intimidated with a big gun (my dad did that to me) and now it is a family heirloom. She doesn't shoot it much anymore but she knows that when she moves out it and the wather p22 I bought her at age 9 go out the door with her. When I have grand kids I am sure it will be what they learn on. It means a lot to her.
Re: Baby on the way whats a good starter 22?
I started my kids (7 and 4) with a Thompson Center Hot Shot this year. It is about the same size as a cricket. It fit my 7 year old great and was a little long for my 4 year old.
Both of them could not get enough of it and are constantly asking to go out shooting.
I plan on moving my 7 year old up to a CZ Scout next year.
I started my kids (7 and 4) with a Thompson Center Hot Shot this year. It is about the same size as a cricket. It fit my 7 year old great and was a little long for my 4 year old.
Both of them could not get enough of it and are constantly asking to go out shooting.
I plan on moving my 7 year old up to a CZ Scout next year.
Re: Baby on the way whats a good starter 22?
I bought my boy a TC Hotshot also this year. He is 4 and the stock is a little long for him still. I took off the endcap from the stock and he handles it fine now.
I wasn't really worried about looking silly shooting a small gun. I still shoot it about every time I take him just to ensure the sights are on. To me it is about getting them what they can be successful with and enjoy. Even if they out grow it in a few years, whats wrong with another gun in the safe?
I bought my boy a TC Hotshot also this year. He is 4 and the stock is a little long for him still. I took off the endcap from the stock and he handles it fine now.
I wasn't really worried about looking silly shooting a small gun. I still shoot it about every time I take him just to ensure the sights are on. To me it is about getting them what they can be successful with and enjoy. Even if they out grow it in a few years, whats wrong with another gun in the safe?
Re: Baby on the way whats a good starter 22?
I got my daughter a Marlin Lil Buckeroo when she was 6. I wanted get something that was wood, well made, etc. so we could keep it as an heirloom.
I just vacuum packed it away the other day (she is 18 now) and hopefully it will be her kid's first rifle someday.
Congratulations on the new shooter.
I got my daughter a Marlin Lil Buckeroo when she was 6. I wanted get something that was wood, well made, etc. so we could keep it as an heirloom.
I just vacuum packed it away the other day (she is 18 now) and hopefully it will be her kid's first rifle someday.
Congratulations on the new shooter.
Re: Baby on the way whats a good starter 22?
savage has the rascal:
http://savagearms.com/firearms/model/rascal
was handling one a few weeks ago, it seems to actually be pretty nice - adj trigger, comfy stock (even for an adult with some butt plate spacers) and looks pretty stylish. it's single feed, peep sights.
comes in wood, or multi colored syn stocks, doesn't look cheap, actually i'd love to see them put this stock on their mkII F series in adult proportions.
betcha it would also make a great truck gun.
but, if you have more $, the CZ scout would be hard to beat.
savage has the rascal:
http://savagearms.com/firearms/model/rascal
was handling one a few weeks ago, it seems to actually be pretty nice - adj trigger, comfy stock (even for an adult with some butt plate spacers) and looks pretty stylish. it's single feed, peep sights.
comes in wood, or multi colored syn stocks, doesn't look cheap, actually i'd love to see them put this stock on their mkII F series in adult proportions.
betcha it would also make a great truck gun.
but, if you have more $, the CZ scout would be hard to beat.
Re: Baby on the way whats a good starter 22?
Top Predator - The Rascal looks like a great option. My complaint with many of the other youth models is their trigger pull.
Obviously when teaching our youth to shoot, you want to do all that you can to keep them safe, hence the 8-10 lb triggers to help prevent accidental discharges. But those high pull weights often have kids pulling the trigger with two fingers to shoot.
I like the option of being able to adjust the trigger weight. If I was going to buy another youth rifle, I would strongly consider the Savage Rascal.
Top Predator - The Rascal looks like a great option. My complaint with many of the other youth models is their trigger pull.
Obviously when teaching our youth to shoot, you want to do all that you can to keep them safe, hence the 8-10 lb triggers to help prevent accidental discharges. But those high pull weights often have kids pulling the trigger with two fingers to shoot.
I like the option of being able to adjust the trigger weight. If I was going to buy another youth rifle, I would strongly consider the Savage Rascal.
Re: Baby on the way whats a good starter 22?
I don't see anything wrong with the crickett. They're cheap, safe, and jus the right size for a 5 year old. They will get outgrown in a few years but there are always nieces, nephews, neighbors kids, etc to put it to good use. They're also great for impromptu shooting matches with your buddies
Unless your looking for something that can hold a little more sentimental value, which is understandable, they're great
I don't see anything wrong with the crickett. They're cheap, safe, and jus the right size for a 5 year old. They will get outgrown in a few years but there are always nieces, nephews, neighbors kids, etc to put it to good use. They're also great for impromptu shooting matches with your buddies
Re: Baby on the way whats a good starter 22?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jasonk</div><div class="ubbcode-body">CZ youth, great rifle, fits ok for my 5 year old, check out this little video of him. It's worth watching to see the joy on his face at about 30 seconds.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImfWEcVZPk8&feature=plcp </div></div>
Jason,
That is awesome! It almost brought tears to my eyes as your son looks and sounds so much like mine did at that age. And, his first rifle was a CZ scout also.
When he was older, about 12, He was shooting my .17hmr CZ at clay birds at 100yds and a crusty older guy shows up and starts ragging on the .17 after looking at a casing. We had respectfully paused as he came up to the benches and he proceeded to ask what it was good for. My son turned back to the gun and turned a small piece of a clay bird into dust. The old guy stopped running his mouth. I was a proud dad.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jasonk</div><div class="ubbcode-body">CZ youth, great rifle, fits ok for my 5 year old, check out this little video of him. It's worth watching to see the joy on his face at about 30 seconds.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImfWEcVZPk8&feature=plcp </div></div>
Jason,
That is awesome! It almost brought tears to my eyes as your son looks and sounds so much like mine did at that age. And, his first rifle was a CZ scout also.
When he was older, about 12, He was shooting my .17hmr CZ at clay birds at 100yds and a crusty older guy shows up and starts ragging on the .17 after looking at a casing. We had respectfully paused as he came up to the benches and he proceeded to ask what it was good for. My son turned back to the gun and turned a small piece of a clay bird into dust. The old guy stopped running his mouth. I was a proud dad.
Re: Baby on the way whats a good starter 22?
I gave my nephew an old Winchester M67 for him to give to his son one of these days. It belonged to an uncle and to his dad. When he passed away his son did not want the gun so my dad ended up with it. Dad knew I liked the gun (I shot it years ago after working on the bolt and it is a tack driver) and he gave it to me. It's still sort of "in the family".
I gave my youngest son a Savage M29B I bought many years ago.
Not sure I'd buy a new gun if I could find a good looking, good working "old" gun. If either of my boys gets married and has kids I have several "family" .22's to start them out on.
I gave my nephew an old Winchester M67 for him to give to his son one of these days. It belonged to an uncle and to his dad. When he passed away his son did not want the gun so my dad ended up with it. Dad knew I liked the gun (I shot it years ago after working on the bolt and it is a tack driver) and he gave it to me. It's still sort of "in the family".
I gave my youngest son a Savage M29B I bought many years ago.
Not sure I'd buy a new gun if I could find a good looking, good working "old" gun. If either of my boys gets married and has kids I have several "family" .22's to start them out on.
Re: Baby on the way whats a good starter 22?
I got my 3 year old girl a pink and mossy oak cricket. I was going to get it for Christmas but my wife was at the gun shop with me and got it off the rack and was handling it and my litle one wanted it right then. She has to have help to shoot it off hand but can pull the trigger and has hit a 6" target at around 30'. She only wants to shoot it 3-5 times and then she just watches us shoot. The look on her face when she hit the target was worth all of the rest of the crap I took from my family for getting a 3 year old a real gun.
I have a CZ scout that I use for yard pests. It is a super nice little truck gun. It is a decent bit heavier than the cricket so it might be a touch heavy for a 5 year old but probably fine for a little older child.
I got my 3 year old girl a pink and mossy oak cricket. I was going to get it for Christmas but my wife was at the gun shop with me and got it off the rack and was handling it and my litle one wanted it right then. She has to have help to shoot it off hand but can pull the trigger and has hit a 6" target at around 30'. She only wants to shoot it 3-5 times and then she just watches us shoot. The look on her face when she hit the target was worth all of the rest of the crap I took from my family for getting a 3 year old a real gun.
I have a CZ scout that I use for yard pests. It is a super nice little truck gun. It is a decent bit heavier than the cricket so it might be a touch heavy for a 5 year old but probably fine for a little older child.
Re: Baby on the way whats a good starter 22?
I went the opposite route for my son. I got him a Mannlicher stocked Anschutz 64 with a Leupold 3x9 EFR before he was 6 months old. He can learn on a cheaper .22 or pellet rifle, but I wanted his first rifle to be top shelf.
I went the opposite route for my son. I got him a Mannlicher stocked Anschutz 64 with a Leupold 3x9 EFR before he was 6 months old. He can learn on a cheaper .22 or pellet rifle, but I wanted his first rifle to be top shelf.
Re: Baby on the way whats a good starter 22?
I started my boy on my 15-22. When not loaded down with grips, lights, and optics the weight isn't too much and the stock adjusts all the way from beginner to pro. Use 10 round mags and single load them til the kid is responsible enough to handle multiple shots. In the mean time, you've got a fun toy for yourself!
I started my boy on my 15-22. When not loaded down with grips, lights, and optics the weight isn't too much and the stock adjusts all the way from beginner to pro. Use 10 round mags and single load them til the kid is responsible enough to handle multiple shots. In the mean time, you've got a fun toy for yourself!
Re: Baby on the way whats a good starter 22?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Brian</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Lucky guy my first born son is due Dec 31 my birthday. Im thinking way ahead but whats a good starter 22? I saw the cricket so far thats about all I have seen. Hope to start him shooting around 5. What age you guys start your kids? </div></div>
Congrats on your first child.
I bought all three of my kids marlin 39a's before they were born. I started all of my kids shooting at the age of 3. All of them could shoot my High Standard HD-Military from a bench and their Marlins as well. All three of them are very good shots now, my youngest (age 11) went to the range with me today and spent most of her time shooting my M4.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Brian</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Lucky guy my first born son is due Dec 31 my birthday. Im thinking way ahead but whats a good starter 22? I saw the cricket so far thats about all I have seen. Hope to start him shooting around 5. What age you guys start your kids? </div></div>
Congrats on your first child.
I bought all three of my kids marlin 39a's before they were born. I started all of my kids shooting at the age of 3. All of them could shoot my High Standard HD-Military from a bench and their Marlins as well. All three of them are very good shots now, my youngest (age 11) went to the range with me today and spent most of her time shooting my M4.
Re: Baby on the way whats a good starter 22?
Congrats Brian ! I started my 6 y/o on a Cricket and have a couple friends that did the same without a problem. I started my nephew on a Marlin youth model and also had no problems but it is significantly larger. I am currently putting together a Savage MII on a Rhineland Arms stock which has an adjustable length of pull. This is for my twin 12 y/o daughters. It is a good (theoretically) option for them as they grow. I'll post on how the rifle turns out.
Congrats Brian ! I started my 6 y/o on a Cricket and have a couple friends that did the same without a problem. I started my nephew on a Marlin youth model and also had no problems but it is significantly larger. I am currently putting together a Savage MII on a Rhineland Arms stock which has an adjustable length of pull. This is for my twin 12 y/o daughters. It is a good (theoretically) option for them as they grow. I'll post on how the rifle turns out.
Re: Baby on the way whats a good starter 22?
I started my daughter and son out on the single shot Marlin 15Y. Had I known there was a grandson (3 years old now) in ol' ma & pa's future,,, I'd have kept that rifle as a starter for our little grandson when he turns 5 years old. As it turned out it did serve the same purpose (when I sold it) as it was intended to do as a friend bought it from me for his son who had turned 5 years old.
I will buy another one of these for our grandson when the time comes. It is (IMHO) an all around youth trainer that can be used with both the iron sights and then a scope as the child progresses with age.
I started my daughter and son out on the single shot Marlin 15Y. Had I known there was a grandson (3 years old now) in ol' ma & pa's future,,, I'd have kept that rifle as a starter for our little grandson when he turns 5 years old. As it turned out it did serve the same purpose (when I sold it) as it was intended to do as a friend bought it from me for his son who had turned 5 years old.
I will buy another one of these for our grandson when the time comes. It is (IMHO) an all around youth trainer that can be used with both the iron sights and then a scope as the child progresses with age.
Re: Baby on the way whats a good starter 22?
I started my oldest son at 3 seated in my lap helping hold the Chipmunk that my shooting buddies bought for him as soon as the 20 week ultrasound confirmed a boy was on the way. Now he is 20 and I am happy to say he is out-shooting me at our Precision Tactical Matches. As he grew, he got larger rim fires, a falling block .32-20, progressively larger bore single shot shotguns, and finally a Rem 700 in .243.
My younger sons and my daughter also started at 3 and they have been using their oldest brother's guns... until this coming Christmas
I started my oldest son at 3 seated in my lap helping hold the Chipmunk that my shooting buddies bought for him as soon as the 20 week ultrasound confirmed a boy was on the way. Now he is 20 and I am happy to say he is out-shooting me at our Precision Tactical Matches. As he grew, he got larger rim fires, a falling block .32-20, progressively larger bore single shot shotguns, and finally a Rem 700 in .243.
My younger sons and my daughter also started at 3 and they have been using their oldest brother's guns... until this coming Christmas
Re: Baby on the way whats a good starter 22?
My grandpa started me out with a Marlin model 61. It worked just fine when we sandbaged the front end. For a kid, I would recomend the S&W 15-22. It is super light, and has a colapsable stock. This way you can stick with the stock iron sights and a colapsed stock while he is young, and as he gets older just pull the stock out and add optics. Plus it looks like an AR, so even when he is a teenager he will still like to shoot it.
Regards.
P.S. Congrats on the boy.
My grandpa started me out with a Marlin model 61. It worked just fine when we sandbaged the front end. For a kid, I would recomend the S&W 15-22. It is super light, and has a colapsable stock. This way you can stick with the stock iron sights and a colapsed stock while he is young, and as he gets older just pull the stock out and add optics. Plus it looks like an AR, so even when he is a teenager he will still like to shoot it.
Regards.
P.S. Congrats on the boy.
Re: Baby on the way whats a good starter 22?
cz scout, will last them till they want to pass it down
cz scout, will last them till they want to pass it down
Re: Baby on the way whats a good starter 22?
Thanks for all the input. Its a little early but what the hell. Hope he becomes a shooter like his old man.
Thanks for all the input. Its a little early but what the hell. Hope he becomes a shooter like his old man.
Re: Baby on the way whats a good starter 22?
Beware of the Cricket rifle,
http://www.louisianasportsman.com/lpca/i...39#.UFIQMo1lTO8
Beware of the Cricket rifle,
http://www.louisianasportsman.com/lpca/i...39#.UFIQMo1lTO8
Re: Baby on the way whats a good starter 22?
Have had an old JC Higgins single for years that my son will start on,but I bought "his" first Savage fv when he was 2 months old. Can't wait to get him started on his bb gun then to the 22's.
Have had an old JC Higgins single for years that my son will start on,but I bought "his" first Savage fv when he was 2 months old. Can't wait to get him started on his bb gun then to the 22's.
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