Well folks, it's my daughter's birthday time again and I've promised her a 22 rifle. Silly me, I know...
I took her to a local gunshop and let her handle the levers, bolts and semi-autos to see which she liked best. As it turns out, she likes the bolts so that's what she's gonna get.
I've narrowed it down to one I think: The Marlin 981T
Do any of us have one of these? Accuracy & reliability reports? I'm leaning toward this one b/c I don't like the box magazines on the 980 - difficult to extract and only holds 7.
OT - Marlin Rimfires
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- sore shoulder
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I have no experience with that rifle, but my experience with Marlin is they stand behind their product. Put a 3x9 Simmons on it and it'll be a lot of fun on the cheap.
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- Ysabel Kid
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I have no experience with that model, but for my son's first gun I did also pick a .22 bolt action without a box magazine. At the time Marlin made a wood-stocked youth model called the "Little Buckaroo", model 15YN. I am not sure if they still make it.
Even with it being a youth model, the length of pull was too long for him (probably having something to do with him starting, in earnest, to shoot it before he was 5! ).
I got a second stock from Marlin, and trimmed it down to fit his frame. I added some brass black powder furntiture to it, and he asked that I decorate it like an indian trade rifle, which he'd seen pictures of.
He is extremely accurate with this gun! I can not say enough good things about this gun or Marlin!!!
His little sister started shooting it over the summer, so over Christmas I picked up a Western Auto Supply rifle - a store brand Marlin - and refinished it for her. She's set!
Good for you on getting your daughter a gun and teaching her how to shoot it. Let us know what you end up picking up!
Even with it being a youth model, the length of pull was too long for him (probably having something to do with him starting, in earnest, to shoot it before he was 5! ).
I got a second stock from Marlin, and trimmed it down to fit his frame. I added some brass black powder furntiture to it, and he asked that I decorate it like an indian trade rifle, which he'd seen pictures of.
He is extremely accurate with this gun! I can not say enough good things about this gun or Marlin!!!
His little sister started shooting it over the summer, so over Christmas I picked up a Western Auto Supply rifle - a store brand Marlin - and refinished it for her. She's set!
Good for you on getting your daughter a gun and teaching her how to shoot it. Let us know what you end up picking up!
Last edited by Ysabel Kid on Thu Mar 27, 2008 1:51 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Thanks guys, I think that settles it. I may even paint the stock pink for her.
I've been happy with my Marlin M60 that I bought when I was 16. It's not exactly a tack-driver but it isn't awful either.
I bought her a red ryder BB gun for her 8th B-day and she has been shooting my dad's (now mine) Win. M67 and loves it. She'd like to have it but I won't let go of it.
I've been happy with my Marlin M60 that I bought when I was 16. It's not exactly a tack-driver but it isn't awful either.
I bought her a red ryder BB gun for her 8th B-day and she has been shooting my dad's (now mine) Win. M67 and loves it. She'd like to have it but I won't let go of it.
Ysabel Kid wrote:I have no experience with that model, but for my son's first gun I did also pick a .22 bolt action without a box magazine. At the time Marlin made a wood-stocked youth model called the "Little Buckaroo", model 15YN. I am not sure if they still make it.
Even with it being a youth model, the length of pull was too long for him (probably having something to do with him starting, in earnest, to shoot it before he was 5! ).
I got a second stock from Marlin, and trimmed it down to fit his frame. I added some brass black powder furntiture to it, and he asked that I decorate it like an indian trade rifle, which he'd seen pictures of.
He is extremely accurate with this gun! I can not say enough good things about this gun or Marlin!!!
His little sister started shooting it over the summer, so over Christmas I picked up a Western Auto Supply rifle - a store brand Marlin - and refinished it for her. She's set!
Good for you on getting your daughter a gun and teaching her how to shoot it. Let us know what you end up picking up!
My kids were too small for the Marlin as well at first. Its a full sized action in a shorter stock. My second son I got a Crickit, its the same as a Chipmunk & truly is a childs gun. Its a very tiny action & with the small stock I think a 4 year old could shoulder it. I know a 5 year old could. I liked too that you need to cock it manually. The Marlins cock on opening.
Anyhow, any gun is great if it gets a kid into shooting.