Recommendations of first rifle for new grandaughter

[otteray]

My son in Bend Oregon, called to tell me that I just became a grampa (first timer), so I need to start saving up for something for new grand-daughter to learn to shoot with!
Yeah, at 8 hrs 17 min old she will have to wait a few years.
I started shooting a .22 at about 8 years old, no problem; Daisy bb gun before that.
My daughter, in Grant's Pass, Oregon, has her first little one coming in 2 months, as well! So I need to save for two rifles!
And yes, all the parents approve of firearms; that's one of the reasons they moved from the Bay Area up to Oregon.
Eventually, I want to pass on my dad's old leverguns to them. That'd be the new baby's Great-Grampa's old Marlins.
But not for a few more decades- I still need 'em!
So, what should I save up for; a couple of Crickets, maybe, for a youngster to start with?

Grandpappy Ray

[mescalero1]

Henry's, I would say

[TedH]

First of all, Congratulations!

I think a Cricket would be fine for starting out.

My daughter is about to turn 6 and I'm thinking one of the pink stocked Crickets will be a fine birthday present.

[otteray]

I figure if I save up for a year, I could get them next year and the rifles would be a lot less expensive than in several years.
Pink stock! A girl would love that.
A Henry? Something like that'd be a good choice if daughter has a boy.
I'll have to go to their website.
You think that they are better than the Marlin 39A?

[Mich Hunter]

Congrat's sir, +1 for 39A

[mescalero1]

I do not, but I only have real experience with the Marlin

[Rick]

Congratulations!!

I just became a grandfather for the second time myself. Lily was born 5 weeks ago and Noah is three.

On the guns. Right or wrong, my family never started with 22's. My first handgun shot was 45 colt. Shotgun - 16 gauge. Rifle - 30-30. All before age twelve. In that vein, I already have 2 Rem 870 20 ga youth models and have several years to find 2 Marlin 336 Spikehorns, unless Marlin comes out with something better in the meantime. Sure do wish Marlin would bring the Spikehorn back into the lineup though. Maybe Remington will do that. They seem to have a good selection of youth guns in their line.

Oh well, my 2 cents

Rick

[gamekeeper]

Congratulations!

A single shot bolt action or a Savage mod 30 would be my choice for starting kids off safely.
I would then buy them Henry's and take 'em huntin'.

[Pete44ru]

I bought my young (5 y.o.) son a 4 1/2lb Remington Nylon 66 in 1971 - but never told him it was a repeating auto-loader !

After all, the child's not the expert, here.

He was 11 or 12, before I showed him the tube magazine in the butt.

Before then, he just thought it was an auto-ejecting single-shot (like a Winchester 55).

It was like getting a whole new gun, for him.

[Griff]

The Cricket, certainly, but most any of the .22s, but don't count out a nice Rossi '92 clone in .38/.357. I started my son out @ 6 with reduced loads in one of my .30-30s. "Cat-sneeze" loads you fellars have been callin' them. @ 9 when he started in CAS he 'borrowed' the wifes Rossi, then @ 11 he got his own.

[rjohns94]

Congrats on the new addition to the family.

First rifle maybe should be a BB or pellet rifle and you can't beat the red rider for fun. The first real rifle would then perhaps be a .22. For size, if you could find a Marlin 39 TDS it might be the cat's meow. the shorter barrel will make it easier to handle and not be so weight forward as the other 39's I might suggest. The Crickett would also be excellent first choice but she will quickly out grow it. Good luck on your choice.

[Ysabel Kid]

I also agree that a bolt-action .22 is the best starting firearm for anyone - adult or child. I started both of my children off on them. Here is a picture of my son several years ago with his first gun - a Marlin 15YN "Little Buckaroo" youth model that I modified to fit him and decorated in an Native-American Indian motiff:



I can't say enough good things about this gun. It is much stronger than a cricket - and much more like adult bolt-action rifles. An excellent trainer!!!

Here's the one I customized for my daughter this past Christmas: A store-brand version of a Marlin:



Here's my son, "Ysabel Kid's Kid" shooting his Marlin - he is quite the little deadeye!



And here's my daughter learning to shoot:



Good for you thinking about the future generations!!!

[AJMD429]

Hard to go wrong with a Ruger 96/22 and a red dot sight.

[jdad]

Congratulations!

Take a look at the Henry Mini Bolt. Great sights, 4# trigger, youth size, single shot, US Made, priced right, and accurate.

Once you're sure they're going to be "shooters" you (or the parents ) can spend the money on a 39A.

[Old Ironsights]

A piston-driven M4gery with a Ceiner kit. You can make it pink if you want to.

She'll need to know how to use the real thing soon enough...

[Hobie]

CONGRATULATIONS!

[C. Cash]

I personally would go either Crickett or Henry. The Mod. 39A will be a rifle that they can use when they are teenagers, but will be way too heavy and long for them when they are young. Also, a used Ithaca Mod. 49 single shot is a neat little gun. It served me well as a 5 year old and you can start them on their way to "leveritus" .

[RIHMFIRE]

HOW ABOUT 9422 TRAPPER!

[centershot]

Congrats Grampa! Sounds like you'll be needin' a pair of Stevens Favorites!

Best wishes,

centershot

[JReed]

First of all, Congratulations!

I think a Cricket would be fine for starting out.

My daughter is about to turn 6 and I'm thinking one of the pink stocked Crickets will be a fine birthday present.

Yes check out the Crickett. My boys have one and it is the only rifle I have that my 6 year old can shoot without shooting sticks or a rest. They have the red white and blue stainless one.

[otteray]

Ysabel Kid, what kid wouldn't be super-stoked to own custom rifles like those you decked out in total coolness!
I'll bet the "glee and joy factor" was pretty high when you presented them!

[otteray]

Jreed, those smiles are so broad, I'll bet their cheeks hurt!
This is why I like this high class place!

Anybody know if Jeff Quinn, John Taylor or Paco have spoken about youngster's rifles in past articles??

[dr walker]

Congratulations, what a wonderful day for your family.
How about a Ruger Bearcat.

[JReed]

Jreed, those smiles are so broad, I'll bet their cheeks hurt!
This is why I like this high class place!

Anybody know if Jeff Quinn, John Taylor or Paco have spoken about youngster's rifles in past articles??

Yeah they were pretty happy . They picked it out and it shoots nice groups. All in all a good investment.

P.S. Congratulations now let the spoiling begin

[otteray]

Spoiling will be initiated in just a few days!

[shooter]

I started out on the Marlin "Little Buckaroo". Your grandkids can shoot it for a few more years than the Cricket, I think. If you're going to start them out real young, like 4 or 5, I might opt for the Cricket. If you're going to start them out at 6 or 7, I would get the Marlin. I might would get the Marlin, anyway. I was always big for my age and could handle the Marlin pretty well. Plus I'm now 6' 2" tall, and weigh 220, and I can still shoot that gun. It's not very comfortable, but I can still shoot it, and it's the perfect size for my 5' 2" fiance. She shoots that more than any of my other guns.

Also, I would make sure I started them out on iron sights. Scopes are fun and accurate, but I think one needs to get good with the basics before they move on to a scope. I learned on open sights, and can still shoot better off hand with iron sights than with a scope inside 50-75 yds.

[Ysabel Kid]

Ysabel Kid, what kid wouldn't be super-stoked to own custom rifles like those you decked out in total coolness!
I'll bet the "glee and joy factor" was pretty high when you presented them!

You bet correctly! I wanted to make sure that my children's first guns were from me - just in case. Each was personalized, and I'm sure they will stay in the family for a very long time - hopefully many generations!!!

Congrats!!!

[Longfin]

Congratulations on your first grandchild. My first grandchild, Brad, is now 22 months old and has an array of guns for his firearms education, just like his mommy did. I'm with the Cricket crowd on this. Get a rifle that fits them and they will do better. Waiting for Brad is a Daisey 22 with adjustable stock, a Cricket, Remington Nylon 66, Henry Golden Boy in 22 mag, 30 caliber MI-Carbine, 6 mm TCU, Model 7 in .243 and on up to the Marlin 1895CB 45-70. I hope to be that with him as he grows and moves through these. Take them shooting and then take them to the Dairy Queen. Was alway a good outing for me and my girls and happy memories for them.

[Doc Hudson]

I was in Academy Sports a couple of weeks ago and saw the cutest little single-shot .22 bolt action. It had a pink stock, blued barrel and action and looked to have been sized for about a five or six year old. Sorry but I didn't check the price or brand. At a guess, I'd suppose it is a Cricket. IMO, it is an ideal child's first rifle.

Congratulations Grandpappy! Have fun spoiling that little angle.

[Doc Hudson]

I figure if I save up for a year, I could get them next year and the rifles would be a lot less expensive than in several years.
Pink stock! A girl would love that.
A Henry? Something like that'd be a good choice if daughter has a boy.
I'll have to go to their website.
You think that they are better than the Marlin 39A?

Ray,

The .22 lever-gun that is better than a Marlin Model 39 (either A or M) does not exist in my opinion!