fisrt rifle

[just learning]

 hi, Im looking to get my daughter ( 10) her first rifle, I went to the youth foum and checked it out , but was wondering what would you great people recommend

[huntr1]

I would recommend either a magazine fed bolt action .22 or a Marlin 10/22.  I prefer the magazine fed over the ones with the internal ammo tube because I think they are easier to load/unload (helpful in squirrel hunting) plus it keeps hands away from the muzzle while ammo is in the gun (I think that the more safe the better to prevent the freak accidents) The advantage to the bolt action is that you can load the subsonic .22's so that it is little more than a glorified air rifle as far as recoil and muzzle blast, and she can still shoot the .22 long-rifle rounds once she is used to the noise.  Another advantage to the bolt action is that she has to consiously chamber another round (less chance of an accidental discharge).  The 10/22 is a great gun and if she is already familiar with shooting and the noise is not an issue, go with the 10/22.  However, I don't believe that you can put the low power rounds (CB's and subsonics) thru them and have them cycle the action.  I like to use my .22 w/ CB's and/or subsonics for squirrel hunting, so a 10/22 doesn't make sense for my purpose.  I have a Remington 581 and love it.

[armycar01]

I have seen bolt action 22's at Wal Mart, I believe its a Savage but Im not sure, for $95 to $100. Synthetic stock and a blued barrel with an external magazine.


Hope I have been some help!

[huntr1]

I have seen bolt action 22's at Wal Mart, I believe its a Savage but Im not sure, for $95 to $100. Synthetic stock and a blued barrel with an external magazine.


Hope I have been some help!

That is exactly the gun I was thinking of.  Not too expensive, but still good quality.  Not too nice to use (for a kid), pretty hard to mess it up.  That would be my choice.

[eroyd]

It would be nice if you had something that was cheap enough that you wouldn't mind bucking off a bit of the butt. I found the biggest prob. taking my 10-12 nieces and nephews out shooting is that the guns just to long for them to shoot properly.

[vmaxx]

I seen the chipmunk at walmart, bolt action, youth sized, stainless with a synthetic black stock for around $100 or so I believe but I am not sure who makes it. I believe its a single shot, looked really neat. I wanted to buy one for me but I got long arms. Check it out you might like it. I think henry makes a youth size lever .22

[daddywpb]

I got my daughter a Ruger 10/22 when she was 9. If you want to, you can load one at a time into the magazine untill she's ready for more. I would stay away from the bolt action single shots - kids get bored with that real quick. They like to be able to shoot fast once in a while, under close supervision of course. Cabella's has a youth sized wooden stock for the 10/22 that served her well untill this year. I put the synthetic stock that came with it back on, and put a Bushnell scope on it for her. She's putting a lot of rabbits in the freezer, and Dad is very proud. Congrats on introducing your daughter to shooting. My daughter grew up around my shooting, and now she enjoys it very much. It's something that no one else will do with her, and I enjoy the time alone with her. She even enjoys cleaning her rifle with me! It's amazing how much you can learn about what is on a child's mind when you are alone togeather in the woods - away from phones, TV's, video games and everyone else. Enjoy the times - you will both remeber them forever!
Steve

[vmaxx]

Those 10/22's are great. I got one for my wife for her first rifle. putting a youth stock on it for your little girl could be just what the dr ordered. Thing is it would be an added expense for a youth stock. A henry youth rifle would put right there and she just might like cycling a lever action.
Just my two cents.

[Bullseye]

My daughters always prefered my pump.  Lever seemed to hard for them to operate at a young age.  Assume a bolt might be the same way.  Have a Contender but they seem to enjoy the repeaters better.  Semi autos made me nervous, because I wanted them to think rather than just pull the trigger.  Whatever you get, if they like shooting you will have a blast.  My daughter and I were shooting yesterday at a range bomb and spinners.  She has finally gotten where she can consistently hit them.  I walked back from the target once and she had my pump 22 laying on her lap and was giving it that proud look like she gives her 870 I bought her last year.  I think I probably just lost one of my favorite guns.  Never thought when I bought it 20 years ago that I would someday have a daughter that enjoyed shooting it so much.

[Leftoverdj]

Don't try to start a kid on a semi-auto. Make them learn to shoot first.

If money is tight, and especially if she's a leftie or has a dominant left eye, take a look at the NEF Sportster. It's the safest starter gun there is. Each shot has to be manually inserted and the hammer has to cocked. Gun is about $100 at Walmart, but you will want to add a youth stock and a trigger job. You'll also need to scope it or have iron sights added.

The great advantage is that when she gets a bit older you can put the adult stock back on and add a barrel for varmints. I started my son on a .357/20 gauge since I was loading .38 Specials in bulk, but it's still a gun one can use for life.

If money is not an issue, take a look at the CZ Scout. It's pricey, but worth every penny.

[Chuck from arkansaw]

It costs a little more, but it is the same as the other C.Z. sporter 22's and is an outstanding gun.  Lots of folks are putting the action in a full size sporter stock for a neat little carbine.  Accuracy is supurb.  By doing this, you will have a rifle that is accurate enough to be interesting, and well made enough to last several lifetimes.

[KN]

I agree with leftoverdj, Don't start them out with a semi. Find a nice pump or lever. That will slow them down enough to make them think a little about what they are doing, but not get them bored like a single shot might do. I used this aproach with both my daughters and they are tuning out to be really good shots.  KN

[Paladin]

how about one of those rossi gallery guns. pump with a nice external hammer so ya can see whats going on. had an old 1890 win. pump my daughter started on , she really loved it. now owns a 10/22 with a bsa red dot. I'd give her a little compatition with a 22 pistol, I now have to use a rifle to keep up with her. no matter what you get be safe and make it fun.

[Questor]

I second the recommendation of the CZ Scout. This is an excellent gun for a youth or a woman.  Do not get a Chipmunk or other single-shot Youth bolt action that requires multiple steps for cocking. These are a waste of time and and money.