Finally after two years in the making, my 10/22 with integrated suppressor is about to arrive. I got this for my kids to be able to join me at the range. It's all stock except for the barrel of course. What upgrades should I consider? The kids are 10 and 8.
- Thread starter mikeltee
- Start date
id upgrade them to an AR. my boys helped me with my last build. when I return home from overseas they want to help with the next. it gives them a personal satisfaction to shoot what they've built also. they like the 22lr but theyre all over my ARs now.
Yea I was considering an ar style stock, but wanted to get them started in the traditional sense with a standard rifle setup and iron sights. After reading your post, I think I will let them decide which style they want to go with. Surely they will pick the ar so they have the opportunity to attach gadgets galore.
I started my boys (now 9 & 12) two years ago. Each received a Marlin XT-22 at Christmas (they had been taught safety for a year on their Red Ryder's).
Kept them on the supplied open sights for 6 months to learn the basics then added a decent scope (Leapers 4-16X). My 9 year old can shoot 1.5" groups at 100m off of a bipod (there have been days that he has embarrassed me).
Anyhoo...this year we got an AR and a 1911.
I've asked them what they like best and the consensus is the AR by a long stretch.
Kept them on the supplied open sights for 6 months to learn the basics then added a decent scope (Leapers 4-16X). My 9 year old can shoot 1.5" groups at 100m off of a bipod (there have been days that he has embarrassed me).
Anyhoo...this year we got an AR and a 1911.
I've asked them what they like best and the consensus is the AR by a long stretch.
Last edited:
Ah, don't do that to the kids! Mine have started with 22s both rifles and pistols. And a 1911 in 45. And once in a while, they like to shoot the FAL.
My boy will shoot just about anything you put in front of him. Started him off with my old Daisy Legacy 22, then got him a MKII GL after he finally wore out the Daisy. He likes his bolt guns though.
My daughter hasnt shot anything past my 22s, but Im sure she'll come around.
My goal for each of them is to send them out into the world with at least a 22 rifle, a 22 pistol, and a shotgun.
My daughter hasnt shot anything past my 22s, but Im sure she'll come around.
My goal for each of them is to send them out into the world with at least a 22 rifle, a 22 pistol, and a shotgun.
I let my daughter pick a custom stock for her Marlin, that made it more special to her beside it just being hers to begin with. My son inherited a JC Higgins 31 that I restored, even chopping the stock for their length of pull. It's been in the family for a while now and he's the 4th owner of it. But like gixxer822 mentioned, my son liked shooting the AR's and he's the younger of the 2 and smaller, now I'm buying the parts for a build(his own) that I will supervise him on for the most part. My daughter won't shoot the AR's at this point, the report scares her enough not to try although she now says she's ready. I have most of the parts from doing upgrades but I'm letting him choose some options to personalize it for him, truthfully, that's what I was looking forward to doing with both of them anyway. Gives them a sense of ownership, something that is theirs they have to take care of. Teach them that early in the game. I've told both of them they will have to learn to break the rifles down just like I do. Telling them how we learned to field strip our rifles in the dark seemed to peak their interest as well. Anything to enhance their experience and take the mystery out of it. My kids are now 11 and 9 and started about a year and a half ago. They are pretty damn good to(just a father bragging on them
).
I started my kids at 4 and 6 with a TC Hotshot. The 4 year old was a little small for the rifle, but both enjoy going out shooting. They have also learned how to be safe around firearms and what to do if they ever come across a firearm.
Just make sure the stock you are using on your 10/22 will fit your kids. It is tough for them to shoot if the stock is too long.
Just make sure the stock you are using on your 10/22 will fit your kids. It is tough for them to shoot if the stock is too long.
To go along with the new guns, get them some training. You, of course will do an awesome job, but structured classes are extremely important, IMO. At that age it is not too young for hunters safety and later, NRA junior training classes.
I started my son shooting a single shot .22, then he started shooting one of my ar's first time he was hitting steel at 200 yrds he really liked it. Not he shoots one of my 10/22's the most. He really likes to shoot through 10 rounds as fast as he can. For upgrades, depending on trigger poundage, I would do that first.
I bought my daughter a Cricket 22 when she turned 5. Well, she's still 5 and last night while at the range she asked if she could shoot my "big guns". I had the 22-250AI and 6.5x47L along. Well, I couldn't get myself to say no so she gave the 250 a go and handled it like a pro. Then she asked about the 6.5...well who was I to stop her fun? She hopped up on my lap and fired 2 in a row, both landing on the 8"x11" piece of paper! Granted this was off of a bipod and rear bag, but I was a proud dad to say the least.
It was funny though, after the first shot she said it hurt her shoulder a bit, so I promptly said "if it hurts, don't shoot any more" to which she replied "just kidding, it didn't hurt"...I see a nice 22 bolt action in her near future.
It was funny though, after the first shot she said it hurt her shoulder a bit, so I promptly said "if it hurts, don't shoot any more" to which she replied "just kidding, it didn't hurt"...I see a nice 22 bolt action in her near future.
My son has had a BB gun since he was about 6 and shot it quite a bit. He shot several .22's and SKS's and such. In March we went camping and let him shoot my AR (which he got a hit at 400 yards with) and my .260 which he didn't enjoy. I also set him up with my suppressed Ruger bolt action 22 and he layed behind thing plinking steel for hours. On his 9th bday in April I bought him a Savage of his own. Skipped the iron sights knowing he wouldn't care for them, and threw a cheap 3-9 on it. I know there is a lot of people who frown on that but I know him and know he would enjoy shooting it much more with a scope and would rather keep in interested in it. He has learned a lot of safety, does real real good, and it's nice to lie on the ground next to him with mine and shoot together.
I told him if he saved up $50 (which isn't too hard for him working on the farm and such) I would get it threaded for him, Cerakote it any color he wanted, and get him a suppressor. He wanted nothing of the sorts, says he wants it as loud as he can get it, and likes it all black. I'm sure he'll change his mind soon but for now he loves the rifle as is too much to let me do anything to it.
Couple weeks ago some friends put on a semi informal rimfire match for us friends. Brought my son and he had a blast as did all us "grown ups" with our little .22 rifles. It was actually a damn fun day.
I told him if he saved up $50 (which isn't too hard for him working on the farm and such) I would get it threaded for him, Cerakote it any color he wanted, and get him a suppressor. He wanted nothing of the sorts, says he wants it as loud as he can get it, and likes it all black. I'm sure he'll change his mind soon but for now he loves the rifle as is too much to let me do anything to it.
Couple weeks ago some friends put on a semi informal rimfire match for us friends. Brought my son and he had a blast as did all us "grown ups" with our little .22 rifles. It was actually a damn fun day.
I've always started my kids out with a .22 single shot bolt action, and will do the same with my grand kids. I know, I'm old school, but I feel when kids are young and impressionable they absorb the information we give them, and that helps to build on the next step of firearm information. Yes, as I said, I'm old school.
My son turned 5 in December and got a .22lr Cricket for Christmas. He just recently got really interested in shooting it. Taking it slow and letting him learn the functioning of the rifle. He's now loading and operating it all by himself.
Also let him shoot an Advantage Arms 22lr conversion on my G19. He liked that, but I think he enjoys working the bolt on his rifle more. Once he gets aiming down, we'll worry about moving him up.
Your kids are older so I'd just make sure they had the fundamentals down if they're just getting into it. Safety is the most important.
I started on iron sights when I was little (Red Ryder, baby!) and think it's better for young shooters to start there before they move to using optics.
Also let him shoot an Advantage Arms 22lr conversion on my G19. He liked that, but I think he enjoys working the bolt on his rifle more. Once he gets aiming down, we'll worry about moving him up.
Your kids are older so I'd just make sure they had the fundamentals down if they're just getting into it. Safety is the most important.
I started on iron sights when I was little (Red Ryder, baby!) and think it's better for young shooters to start there before they move to using optics.
