chipmunk rifles anygood?

[huntinhick]

hello,

I am thinking of getting my daughter a chipmunk for christmas she is a lefty and they are one of the few companies that make lefties for little ones,  well she is 10 but tiny.  I am leaning towards a 22mag as itis one of my favorites and alows us to hunt raccoons and coyotes, yes I know it is not a long range yote gun but up close it will work and let her get the taste of hunting before we invest in a larger rifle.  I might just go with a H&R versa pack or one of there 22mags as her next rifle willbe a contender or a Handie..so is the chipmunk a good choice?

thanks

Carl

[popplecop]

From what I've heard from 3 or 4 people that bought them it has been positive.  My Dad bought me my 1st .22 when I was 8, for 8.95.  It's a Rem. 510 Targetmaster and it is 59 years old today.  Two of my grandsons start with H&R 22 Youth Models and changed stocks later.  They are on the heavier side tho.

[Dino C]

Love to hear how it turns out. Mine is 8 and about 45 pounds. I have been agonizing over where to start her out. I am down to trying to find a Savage Cub and can't manage to get near one. She is a righty so I don't have the stock and bolt issue.

I didn't care much for the trigger on the Cricket or Chipmunk, but other than that, I am happy to see someone is paying attention. The Henrey Mini Bolt will not take a scope, but looked decent. Don't think that was offered in lefty.

Marlin started to make the T 2000 and Anschutz made the Achiever, but both have been discontinued. I looked long and hard at the SHOT show last year, but I didn't have my daughter with me, so what may have looked good to me at the time didn't turn out to be small enough when the kid got involved. The Henrey Youth Lever comes close, as do several automatics, but only if you are ready to either cut down or make a stock. Even most airguns are too long in the pull. There should be more attention paid to little girls who want to shoot, but other than Eley ammo folks, not many companies are supportive.

Let me know how it turns out and I will do likewise. I am going to have an R7 stock cut down and I am going to have peep sights put on. It should be a decent alternative to the old Red Ryder with a sawn-off stock. When she gets that down, I'll let her get a taste of a scope and more distance.

Good Luck,
Dino

[huntinhick]

Dino,

mine is 10 about 60-70lbs but small arms.  I measured her according to the Gunstock INC instructions and she measured up at 12".  I am thinking of going with the H&R sportster now.  I plan on moving her up to a G2 contender once she masters the .22  then I can either let her keep the sportster or use it to train her two younger brothers as they get older.  I have been searching for gear for her for quite awhile, you are right it is very hard to find anything for them.  We have to buy boys pants like 6 sizes to big in the waist so that they fit in the legs and thighs.  and boots That has been even less fun, we have been waiting for the local sportsmans wherehouse to get the georgia kids sizes back in stock for 2 months.  I would love to start her with the contender from the start but on the off chance she decideds that she doesn't like it after all it passes down to the brother realy easy and keeps MOM from telling us both told you so...plus we can upgrade to a 22mag or 17HMR for ground squirrels if she so desires.
And it is enough like dads contender she will not feel cheated.  good luck with yours and enjoy your time together.

Carl

[ZSDAD]

I just put a CZ Scout on lay a way @ Sportmans Warehouse it comes with a dummy magazine and a five rounder for when my 8 year old boy gets a little more comfortable around it. Then I can pass it down to his litle brother( he's only2 ).

[alfsauve]

Had one for a number of years which all three of my sons used.  NOT RECOMMENDED.  Hard to load and very hard to cock.  Caused no end of frustration on the parts of my sons.   Once my sons could handle full size rifles they had so much more fun shooting, than with the with Chipmunk.

I recommend a right handed gun for a lefthander before I would buy a Chipmunk.

Alf