sugestions on a starter gun for a Female

[MACOLE11]

Hey there looking for some info on a starting gun for a Female..  my G/F recently has shown interest in taking up target shooting and im looking for a starter gun for her...  something safe.... and was looking at the Marlin 981t the reason I like this gun is that it shoots shorts, longs, and long rifles...      and has a great price....    if anybody has any sugestions or any information I would greatly appreciate it!!!

[Blaster50]

Hello, welcome to Graybeards

the Marlin 981T would be a good choice for a first time shooter
bolt action tends to keep ya from just stabbing the trigger, therefore
thinking about your shot more.
Synthetic stock makes things more carefree

for the price, I think it would be a good choice

Good Luck
 :grin:

[armory414]

Not sure what the 981T looks like.  But, a bolt action with a clip magazine (rather than tube) is a good choice.  It can be fired single-shot for training, until the person gets accustomed to the operation of the weapon.

[Charles/NM]

I disagree with the choice of a clip fed rifle for a new female shooter.  My wife had never shot a rifle in her life.  Of all the .22 rifles I have she chose my Rossi model 62 tube fed pump gun and declared it to be hers.  She likes the iron sights and refuses to accept scopes, altho she has shot them.  She also like the tube magazine. She is very accurate with it and can often outshoot me with it. Clips are hard for a woman to load, are frustrating to use, prone to cause feed problems and are easy to drop in the dirt.  I strongly suggest a tube fed rifle. I myself have little use for a clip fed rifle.

[Nightrain52]

Try taking her to a gunshop and let her handle all different brands and styles and narrow down to the 2 or 3 she likes. Hopefully the guy behind the counter will be some help. Explain how they function and check to see how they fit. :wink:

[armory414]

"Clips are hard for a woman to load, are frustrating to use, prone to cause feed problems and are easy to drop in the dirt."

Sounds like it's time to find a new rifle.  Hmm. . .I wonder why the military still uses clip magazines since they're so troublesome?

I learned to shoot properly from my father, who was trained by the Marines using a bolt-action, clip-fed rifle.  They weren't allowed to use the magazine until they learned to shoot correctly.  I learned the same way.  I suggested a clip magazine because it's a) easier to dry fire than a tube-fed gun, and b) I think that knowing you have only one shot does wonders for concentrating on shooting technique.

[Charles/NM]

I was taught to shoot by the US Army and was the best shot at my post - almost got me reassigned to the infantry.
The military uses clips for quick reloading of rifles.  Has nothing to do with superior functioning of clips.  
I'm also not a big fan of dry firing. It's boring to the student and doesn't let them see where they are hitting in relation to their sight picture. I taught my wife, daughter and son to shoot using .22 rimfire rifles.  We went out in the desert and sat up some cans. After a cursory safety lecture (they ain't stupid and know what guns are capable of) we started shooting. My daughter and wife can occasionally outshoot me now and love to shoot.

[rangerruck]

id go with a marlin mod 60, very cheap, very easy to shoot, very light , very balanced and handy, and if she is a real girly -girl, she wont get frsutated by messing up cutting up hands/nails with the mags.