O/T mini .22 kid guns

[m.wun]

Was looking at the Cricket for my boy but the sights seem very cheap.I did happen to handle a
Henry Minibolt and it felt of much more quality.It also had a set of hi-viz type iron sights.There
are other youth rifles but Im looking for these small framed type.Any ideas?

[Rusty]

Marlin used to make one called a "Lil Buckaroo" that was about the best quality
I've seen.

[AJMD429]

Here's what I'd get, if you want a really good quality firearm:



They make them with Black and Pink stocks, too.

http://www.tcarms.com/firearms/youth_hot_shot.php

The breakopen design is basic, safe, accurate, and the shorter receiver makes the gun even handier for a kid. It comes with decent sights, and most likely the peep is a Williams (don't know for sure) and could be upgraded to a precision 'target knob' type FP sight if desired.

Personally, I prefer a red-dot or holo-dot sight for 'starting out' the first few range sessions, then going to apertures once they are 'serious' and trying to be more precise (say on paper, vs. steel flip-ups).

You can also just get a regular bolt-action, and buy a spare stock for it, and cut it down as short as you can legally go (depends on barrel length, because there is a minimum overall length dictated by the federal govt.).

[vancelw]

Was looking at the Cricket for my boy but the sights seem very cheap.I did happen to handle a
Henry Minibolt and it felt of much more quality.It also had a set of hi-viz type iron sights.There
are other youth rifles but Im looking for these small framed type.Any ideas?

Bought my girls a Crickett once. Sight were alright. They sure could hit with that peep sight. I even used it to off a few prairie dogs.

Extractor fell out of it. I could put it back and it would fall out again later. Called Crickett and they sent out a pick-up box via UPS, but he kept coming to the house while we were at work so the rifle never made it back to the factory for them to correct it. I simply sold it and bought them Savage bolt repeater.

I've looked at the Henry bolts since then. For the money I would buy one of them before I'd buy another Crickett.

[dr walker]

My daughter shot with a Marlin 15 Y and a Savage Cub. She prefered the Savage.

[Ysabel Kid]

Marlin used to make one called a "Lil Buckaroo" that was about the best quality
I've seen.

+1 That was Y2K's first gun. It is awesome, and Marlin's customer service is top notch!

[86er]

We have a Crickett. It is super accurate and the peep sights and front post are actually pretty good. My oldest can hit a squirrel target at 25 yds over and over. It likes the CB caps as much as Stingers. Good groups from either. The Henry is a nice rifle that is similar but longer and heavier. It would be a little bit too big for my boys right now.

[Mac in Mo]

We have a Marlin bolt that the boys all pass around. It is a 15YN, I believe. It is a single shot. not a high end rifle by any means, but very accurate. I'm not sure if they are still made. I even enjoy plinking with it, but it is so small, I just about get a knot in my neck trying to fit myself to the gun.
For an inexpensive, knock about gun, that the kids can use to learn basic skills, i would buy one again.


Kevin

[wm]

Another thumbs up for the Marlin model 15 YN 'Buckaroo'. Used it for both my sons. I thought about selling (the usually fetch about $75 - $100 used) but my sons asked me to keep for them when they have kids so it has been respectfully retired.

Wm

[AJMD429]

For something entirely different (not 'politically-correct'), don't forget getting a center-fire "AR" type rifle, with a .22 LR adapter. Later the kid may really appreciate having a 'grandfathered' AR-15 lower...



They

• have a stock that is a BETTER length for a little kid than most of the 'kid' .22's out there (even the 'kid' guns usually wind up stuck in armpits for the kid to actually shoot with)
  
  are way more rugged than most 'kid' guns
  
  far easier to shoot with the 'high' peeps (ever watch a kid try to scrunch down to see sights?)
  
  have a more protected muzzle than ANY kid gun I've seen (kids do muzzle-dip and touch the ground sometimes)
  
  have a far higher re-sale value later on (and cost up-front, of course)
  
  have a far higher 'cool' factor for many kids, particularly boys
  
  are expandable to many 'upper' calibers other than just .223 Remington
  
  can potentially serve them as an adult as a home protection gun, target gun, hunting gun, etc.

Different, but an option to consider.

If you really want to be politically-incorrect, put a suppressor on the gun ; it makes their range-sessions more enjoyable, and allows you to instruct them without shouting over hearing protectors...

[765x53]

I bought a Marlin Lil'buckaroo for my kids many years ago.
After they left home, I thought about buying an adult stock so I could use it but never did.

A couple of years ago I mounted a scope on it with a set of tall, see-through Leupold rifleman rings. The extra height made it comfortable for an adult and the grand kids can still use it.

[m.wun]

I guess its time to handle a few.Some of the youth rifles look like shortened stocked reg
rifles and then there are some that are completly miniaturized.Im going too keep my eyes out
for the Marlin and Savage.

[JD2]

When facing the same problem of finding a rifle for my two sons, the absolute best rifle I found was the CZ Scout. It fit them the best and was the most accurate and highest quality. also has a decent trigger too. It comes with a single shot adapter, but can use the CZ 5 and 10 shot magazines as the kids get more proficient. I tried the Cricket, Marlin 15Y and about every other youth rifle out there (My best friend owned a gun shop at that time and I could borrow any used rifle that came through.). The Scout was far superior to all of them. It is handy and VERY accurate (1/2 inch 5 shot groups at 50 yards), and as they have grown I add rubber spacers and they still love to shoot it. Best rifle purchase I have ever made!!!

[Rimfire McNutjob]

This has been a very informative thread for me. My daughter wants a rifle so she can go shooting with the boys but I loathe the Crickets that I've seen locally. The bolts are hard to work and the quality seems very questionable. I've learned of several alternatives today. Thanks to all.

[AJMD429]

Don't forget the Henry - http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/prod ... s_id/36598

or the Rossi breakopen 'set', like this $349 .22 LR, .243 Win, 20 gauge trio - http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/prod ... s_id/61445

[MrMurphy]

An old friend of mine had her stepdad pick her up one of the single shot Marlins at around that age.

She's in her mid 20s now with 2+ kids of her own and STILL shoots that thing.

[m.wun]

Just to bring this back.I saw in the new American Hunter Mag. that T/C makes a
mini version of its encore in .22lr with a short length of pull, 19" barrel, with peep
sights and weighs around 3lbs.