.22 Rifle for my 9yrs old son?

Status
Not open for further replies.
Hey all!!

Thank you soooo much for all the feedback!!! I almost totally forgot about this thread. :) , and missed these other posted after what we found out my son shoots the Marlin ok.
The only thing is like you all said, its a little to long/big for his size, but he can shoot it to a rest @ the range on the table and sitting. No problem.

I actually fell in love w/ the marlin 795. No kidding. W/O a scope I been hitting bullseye @ the 35 yrd mark, no problem (w/o a scope). To me this is good, brings back the old BB-gun days from my pumpmaster760 :neener: .

But all in all, I think I want him to get a youth size rifle and not spend over the $140.00 price point. I think it will be wise that he has the single bolt action type gun, so he can become well trained on gun responsibility and be patient on his aim & shots more. He seems to shoot 100 rounds really quick and not truly taking his time on his shoots because the Marlin795 is a 10-shot autoloader. And it seems when I fire off my Bersa 380 (handgun) in 3 rounds he already fired off all 10 rounds in his. I also seem to spend more time fill his 22 mag, because he says it hurts his fingers loading. HAHAHA!! So I think bolt action/single shooter is for him right now. I am looking at both a

Rossi Single-Shot Rifle .17HMR 18½" Stainless (Youth) rifle ($95.00)

Marlin 915Y 22 LR Single Shot Youth Model $144.00

Crickett 300 .22lr Blued, Daniel Crickett Walnut $138.00

New England SS1-Y22 SPORTSTER 22LR 20 YOUTH $108.00

-Now I did add a 17HMR to the .22 cal in the mix. Now nowing nothing about the 17hmr, I assume is basically comparable to the .22, but probably the 17hmr bullets are tad more expensive?

So out of these rifles, which you all would recommend? Many thanks.

My son with his 795. IMG_3330.jpg
 
Last edited:
We got the Henry youth model single shot bolt action with the fiber optic sights. My daughter doesn't like iron sights right now, but I love the thing, it's the most fun for the grownups to shoot of any .22 we've got!
 
I bought my kids the Crickett rifles for safety reasons.

They are single shot.....manual cocking.....and they have a way to lock the bolt OPEN so you are sure the weapon is safe for demonstration reasons. My kids are 5years and 18months old so it will be awhile before they get to the range but Im thinking ahead.

The Cricketts are very short rifles....I suspect they will grow out of them fairly quickly....but they are also $99 as well. Cheap enough for a first rifle. Perhaps they will be nice enough quality they can be handed down to their kids. I also believe Crickett (Keystone Arms) sells a full-size stock for these rifles....although when it comes that time we should be ready for a repeater.

Heres a picture of my daughter holding her new Crickett....it was a late Xmas present this year. The pink stock didnt show up until the 26th.

katwithcrickett.jpg
 
TX_shooter,

Yep that's a Marlin clip alright. If you are still tuned in:

Rossi Single-Shot Rifle .17HMR 18½" Stainless (Youth) rifle ($95.00)

Based on 1st hand expereince the 22 lr break open unit is a good product. I assume that's what you are considering. Pretty accurate, weighs little, opens and ejects well etc. The short barrel on mine is tolerant of both Colibris and Super Colibris so we can plink in the yard. Any break open unit is a bit of a pain off of a rest. Ditto for some levers. Expect to pay about 8-10$ per 50 rounds of HMR and expect to burn plenty of them :)

Marlin 915Y 22 LR Single Shot Youth Model $144.00

1st hand expereince again -- expect it to accurate, pretty light, and about as long as the 795. It may not be considerably more handy in his hands than the 795 and mine has a wood stock so me thinks not as light as the 795. The bolt action is far from as smooth as it is on a CZ Scout. Mine is still stiff and it's been shot a good bit. That can be frustrating to kids. Like the Scout I can shoot the 915 even with the shorter stock and I'm an averaged size individual so the rifle need not necessarily ever be outgrown. Unlike the Scout the 915 will be a single shot forever.

Crickett 300 .22lr Blued, Daniel Crickett Walnut $138.00

No expereince/don't own this unit/could be perfect but looks too small for your son IMO.

New England SS1-Y22 SPORTSTER 22LR 20 YOUTH $108.00

Based on 1st hand experience the NEFs are much higher quality than the Rossi units, heavier, very accurate and at least on the SB2 units you can get other barrels. Not sure about the SS1 youth models. You may want to call NEF and find out. They don't do E-mail.

Probably not much help, but there you are.

One thing I would like to point out. Kids are very sensitive to lead toxicity. I don't let my kids handle ammo, clean their rifles, touch the bullet trap or go prospecting for spent slugs. You may choose to do otherwise but I don't think there is a safe level of lead exposure for kids and I'm 100% happy with my choice.

If I'm going to be "the loader", and I am, my fingers are of value to me personally. It's still not too late to go finger one of the 5 round mags that fits a Scout and see what I mean. Mine only came with a single shot plastic insert but perhaps the shop can jerk a 5 round mag out of a 452 and let you look'er over. The plastic 10 rounders work fine also but again, they hang down like the 795.

Best and let us know what happens.

s-
 
Selfdfenz quote:

TX_shooter,

Yep that's a Marlin clip alright. If you are still tuned in:

Rossi Single-Shot Rifle .17HMR 18½" Stainless (Youth) rifle ($95.00)

Based on 1st hand expereince the 22 lr break open unit is a good product. I assume that's what you are considering. Pretty accurate, weighs little, opens and ejects well etc. The short barrel on mine is tolerant of both Colibris and Super Colibris so we can plink in the yard. Any break open unit is a bit of a pain off of a rest. Ditto for some levers. Expect to pay about 8-10$ per 50 rounds of HMR and expect to burn plenty of them

Marlin 915Y 22 LR Single Shot Youth Model $144.00

1st hand expereince again -- expect it to accurate, pretty light, and about as long as the 795. It may not be considerably more handy in his hands than the 795 and mine has a wood stock so me thinks not as light as the 795. The bolt action is far from as smooth as it is on a CZ Scout. Mine is still stiff and it's been shot a good bit. That can be frustrating to kids. Like the Scout I can shoot the 915 even with the shorter stock and I'm an averaged size individual so the rifle need not necessarily ever be outgrown. Unlike the Scout the 915 will be a single shot forever.

Crickett 300 .22lr Blued, Daniel Crickett Walnut $138.00

No expereince/don't own this unit/could be perfect but looks too small for your son IMO.

New England SS1-Y22 SPORTSTER 22LR 20 YOUTH $108.00

Based on 1st hand experience the NEFs are much higher quality than the Rossi units, heavier, very accurate and at least on the SB2 units you can get other barrels. Not sure about the SS1 youth models. You may want to call NEF and find out. They don't do E-mail.

Probably not much help, but there you are.

One thing I would like to point out. Kids are very sensitive to lead toxicity. I don't let my kids handle ammo, clean their rifles, touch the bullet trap or go prospecting for spent slugs. You may choose to do otherwise but I don't think there is a safe level of lead exposure for kids and I'm 100% happy with my choice.

If I'm going to be "the loader", and I am, my fingers are of value to me personally. It's still not too late to go finger one of the 5 round mags that fits a Scout and see what I mean. Mine only came with a single shot plastic insert but perhaps the shop can jerk a 5 round mag out of a 452 and let you look'er over. The plastic 10 rounders work fine also but again, they hang down like the 795.

Best and let us know what happens.

s-
Click to expand...

Thank you for the feed-back. Seems that the NEF will be a better product in the long run.

I been comparing the NEF .22 -versus- the Rossi .22

--------------------Rossi .22------------NEF .22---------
Price: --------------$128.00------------$109.00
Overall length: ------31.5"---------------33"
Barrel length:--------18.5" --------------20"
Weight: -------------5.65 lbs -----------5.5 lbs
Finish: --------------BLUE --------------BLUE
Stock finish:--------walnut -------------Polymer

Extras:--------2/barrels| 410 bore-------Recoil pad
More extras: --- Soft gun case---------

Now, I am not sure about 410 bore on the rossi or if it would get used, but price point versus specs, the ROSSI seems to be a great buy, but NEF name says it all?
 
TX, what a proud father you must be. Looks very familiar from my Christmas here in Indiana. We are raising 4 shooting buddies for him up here.:)

I still think you should check out that CZ 452 Scout! I got to shoot my nephew's on Christmas Day. It is an absolute laser. I shot it from standing and rice paddy prone (ground was muddy did not want to try sitting or prone) and had to will myself to miss, it was just that great of a weapon. The only drawbacks are: the bolt operation is stiff initially and there are no sling posts, but both can be remedied.

My brother used to grab his Kimber or Anschutz to kill a fox, possum or crow in his curtilage, but now he grabs his son's CZ. The 452 is a heck of a rifle for the price!:)
 
TX_shooter
No doubt about the Rossi being a great value. Ditto for the NEF. My son says the 410 kicks in a meaningful way and having watched him shoot it and having shot it myself I gotta agree. I installed a recoil pad but it still has some bite. Did you try NEF to see if they will fit extra barrels. They used to charge around $85 or 90 to fit one to your action [at the factory] but since that unit is a youth model I bet you will be limited to the options available to that model only.

El T,

Both the Scout and my full size 452 came with stiff actions but after the first brick or so they smoothed out :)

I quess that says CZ has pretty tight tolerances and perhaps they are designed to "ware in". Ditto for their handguns. Laser...how true!

I've enjoyed this thread.

Best guys

S-
 
Well guys. Just got back home from Academy.

I decided that the Rossi that was mention on here fit his size, my wallet and his wisdom. It is a rimfire, not sure if this is good or bad, anyone like to comment?

I decided to get the .22 and 20 gauge barrel (mooohahahah). Might be a little much for him, but what the heck right?

Anyways, just got done cleaning it about 10 minutes ago. I have to say this is fine little rifle for the setup. It weighs little more then my marlin.

I also decided to get the scope bracket by ROSSI and Academy sales rep said that I need to buy a 1" scope rings due to the other scopes not fit the original rings that comes on the scopes that they sale.

So I did buy the rossi scope bracket and 1" rings, Oh also I got the rossi hammer extension so it would be easier to cock the hammer back w/ a scope on. Well, now all I need a scope for his setup.

I mention in another post here that I was looking for a cheap 22 cal scope.

**Quick question: Now since this an RIMFIRE gun, do I need to put on a rimfire scope even w/ the aftermarket 1" rings and Rossi scope bracket?

Well, I can't wait to take him out to the range this weekend.

Thanks again all.

IMG_3336.jpg

IMG_3339.jpg

Rossi scope mount bracket: h_p801.jpg

Rossi Hammer extension : h_p701.jpg
 
Heh.

Last time I was out shooting, there was this ~10-year-old kid shooting with his dad. He kept staring at my newly-modded 452 FS...so I let him (and his dad) shoot a few through it.

As they were packing up, he told his dad he wanted "one of those" for Christmas. :evil:
 
TX_shooter,

Many here may diagree but I went with a Tasco red dot on my son's Rossi. It's been pretty accurate and has never missed a lick as long as we remember to turn it off when we put the rifle away. :D I think it cost $29-$39. If Academy is selling bases for the Rossi you lucked out. I had to order mine from Rossi direct. The red dot is ok for popping cans but it's not up to anything I would remotely consider precision work on small targets, paint balls etc.

If you are looking for an conventional scope Wal-Mart, Academy and Sportsman's Warehouse offer a number of inexpensive units. If Academy sells the rifle go back there and look for a scope as you can go a trial setup on the spot. The short stock on the Rossi makes the scope extend back pretty far IMO so I'd look for something short but one that offers as much span between the eye and the ocular as possible. Remember the ocular bell is gonna end up close to being right over the hammer. If the scope sets too low the hammer will strike the ocular bell on firing.

One last thing...my son's rifle kicks out the empty 22 case with surprising energy. You need to be prepared for that. Shooting glass are a must but even more of a must with that rifle.

Best

S-
 
Hi Selfdfenz,


Since you mention red dot, could something like this work out for my sons Rossi?
(Its made for a BB gun, so I have no idea if this is even ideal or can be done)

http://www.airgunsbbguns.com/Daisy_Max_View_Electronic_Point_Sight_p/day7811.htm

DAY7811-2T.jpg


So can a BB/pellet gun scopes could fit for rimfire rifles as long as I change the rings out?




Thanks
 
I have that unit on one of our old pellet rifles. I think it's going to disappoint if you try it on a rimfire providing you could ever figure out a way to get it on there in the 1st place. Consistent eye alignment is pretty critical on a red dot and it's just not possible with that product. It’s also pretty fragile as it's 100% plastic IIRC.

I haven’t priced any of the blister packed scopes at Wally World in a long time but my guess is you could find something in your price range there or at Academy in the form of a conventional, lens-equipped, scope you and your son would be very satisfied with and way more so than this unit. It might not last forever and it may not be the clearest scope on earth but usable.

The whole idea in going with a scope in the first place to afford your son the option for positive reinforcement thru accurate shot placement at somewhat longer distances. Below a certain quality level and functional level you’re going in the opposite direction. Most of the really inexpensive scopes are not terribly clear or have thick crosshairs or won’t focus on close targets or don't re-zero to POA if they are adjustable etc. etc. At some point, assuming you have a soft and safe backstop like dirt, you’re better off to move closer to the target and/or use bigger targets and stick with the iron sights that came on the rifles, neither of which are too bad IMO.

Best
S-
 
Hey all. I decided to go with Selfdfenz suggestion and thats w/ the reddot one.

This way he just have to point and shoot.

So today I installed his BSA reddot along w/ my Simmons 22mag scope.

Plan to shoot over 500 rounds tomorrow to get them both sighted in correct.


Installed scope mount on son's rossi
IMG_3343.jpg

She's a-waitin!! IMG_3347.jpg

Mine: IMG_3348.jpg

IMG_3359.jpg
 
The pics of the children with guns are awesome. (I have 3 boys under the age of 3.5 years....I cant wait)

aaronrkelly: your daughter there....a diaper...sipee cup and a rifle........problems?? who got problems??:D
 
22 option

I have to vote for the Chipmunk or Cricket rifle if it is his first firearm. Bolt action single shot for safety and teaching. Lightweight for smaller framed kids to hold up and shoot accurately. Easy to disassemble and clean thoroughly for the young owner. Won't break the bank to buy. Cheap enough to keep for the future grand kids etc. My advice is to buy one of them that comes with a nice wood stock etc that will look good for years to come in case he wants to keep it for posterity etc. I can send a pic if you like.
 
Thanks ...

... to everyone who posted on this thread. I'm facing the same question w/r/t my 8 year old daughter -- this has been hugely helpful.

--middlechainringguy
 
TEX,
I'm glad you considered my Rossi suggestion. IMO it's the best cost/value combination in a youth size rifle. I really think I would have gotten the 22LR//410 combo so he would be able to shoot the shotgun barrel right now. Maybe I'm wrong and he can shoot the .20 gauge right now, I hope so because shooting clays are a blast at any age.

You are on the right track Tex, teach him young and teach him correctly so he will always be a safe shooter. :)
 
I bought my soon to be 9 year-old daughter a Ruger 10/22 Carbine for several reasons. It is accurate out of the box; the enormous range of after-market parts means it can grow with her; its an affordable $179 and its small enough for her to shoot.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

M
  • Locked
Stevens Cadet .22 rifle
Replies
5
Views
1K
rangerruck
R
roo_ster
  • Locked
Bought Ruger 10/22 for $160 at Bass Pro Shop
Replies
12
Views
3K
chris in va
C
trigga
  • Locked
Rossi .22 LR
Replies
10
Views
2K
maxxhavoc
maxxhavoc
Z
  • Locked
.22 Mag rifles Henry/Savage
Replies
19
Views
1K
gbran
G
bangswitch
  • Locked
shooting .22 short
Replies
17
Views
1K
Art Eatman
A
Back
Top