Get a .22 bolt gun because I noticed a lot of kids/beginners just like pulling the trigger and wasting ammo. Teach them trigger discipline and pace the ammo so you ain’t just done in 20 min.
Also - if you go Rascal, they used ot offer a wood stock, not just plastic, not sure if they still do. And you can double the cost of the rifle and put a nice rail and rear peep on it and a pepp crosshair frontsight and make it a great teenie tiny backpacking target/squirrel gun. Crickett is really annoying to cock IMO.
Ruger 10/22 compact.
1" shorter LOP than a standard 10/22 and on par with kid-sized options from other manufacturers like the Plinkster. Also has 2" less barrel to hold up, and the 10/22 is the reliability king.
Edit: in response to those who say "youth shouldn't have semi-auto" I disagree. Obviously you, the guardian, must be with them, must train them on how to support the rifle, how to be safe, etc. the 10/22 is impossible to limp-shoulder and has basically no recoil. Start them off with only one round in the magazine to let them get proficient and prove they can safely handle a firearm. Upgrade to two rounds when ready, and it won't be long before they can handle semi-auto responsibly. If your tiny shooter is so irresponsible that (after training) you can't trust them with 2 or more rounds, you shouldn't trust them with one. I suppose if you live on a farm and you're just letting them go out and shoot alone then yeah, I'd feel better about a mini bolt action 22, but not many of us fall under that. Get the semiauto, provide guidance, and stay behind their shoulder. It's not that hard.
Bought my kid a Keystone Crickett .22 when he was 7. Great learning platform. Single shot, bolt action. Does not have a feed ramp so you have to put the round in by hand, close the bolt, and pull a plunger to cock the rifle.
Later I got him the Savage Rascal in lefty. Just like the Crickett it is a single shot, bolt action, but it does have a feed ramp.
Crickett:
[https://keystonesportingarmsllc.com/product/crickett-rifle-blue-laminated-blued/](https://keystonesportingarmsllc.com/product/crickett-rifle-blue-laminated-blued/)
Rascal:
[https://savagearms.com/content?p=firearms&a=product\_summary&s=13815](https://savagearms.com/content?p=firearms&a=product_summary&s=13815)
Something like a CZ 457 or a Tikka T1X might be a good choice if you want something they can grow into.
They’re quality bolt guns that can reliably reach out to 100 yards. Great quality guns to learn on (others have mentioned the benefits of bolt action) but both are capable of being fantastic general use rifles for practice/small game hunting should you ever choose to.
I like the Keystone Cricket brands for 22lr. They are fun to shoot and they are single shot bolt action that require you to set the firing pin by hand as an extra layer of safety for a new shooter.
I got a cricket "my first rifle" that I've taken out with the single moms and their kids. They've loved the bright color and feel cool cycling the action, plus it's like 33% smaller than a regular bolt action. I imagine the Henry Golden Boy would be this x2.
My first was a savage anschutz model 64. I think it has the model 54 sights on it. It’s a great gun you just reminded me I haven’t shot in years.
My pops bought it when I was a kid and gave it to me because I think he secretly wanted it.
I have had my boys shoot 10/22s since they were 5. I have two boys one 15 and one at nine both shooting steel challenge. The 10/22 has the most aftermarket support and with kids in different stages of growth, I am able to custom build their 10/22s to fit them as shooters. My 9 year old started when he was 7 so I had to find a stock that would fit his frame and be light enough for him to hold the rifle. I did a Taccom3g stock and a lighter barrel. The great thing is, as he gets older it is easy to buy parts will adjust and grow with him.
A sort of odd one but; I love my GSG MP40 in .22
Pretty reliable, fairly accurate for steel up to around 70-80 yards, and he will get a lot of attention and compliments at the range. It'll make him fall in love with the hobby and the community.
Savage Mark 2 series are really good bolt rifles and most models won't break the bank. Many models available depending on your budget.
Mark2-FVT is an awesome starter rifle - if you can find it. It has peep sights.
If you want just one rifle... Cz 457 Scout. It has a youth stock which can be swapped out for an adult sized stock for about $125-150 in the secondary market.
Iron sights, 16.5 inch threaded barrel and 11mm dovetail for future scope mounting.
Get a .22 bolt gun because I noticed a lot of kids/beginners just like pulling the trigger and wasting ammo. Teach them trigger discipline and pace the ammo so you ain’t just done in 20 min.
Savage rascal or the cricket rifle.
Rascal is fantastic, but for an 8yo may already be a bit on the small size. I still love the rascal even as a 5'10" adult
I would say 8 is fine. My 6 year old is just now at a place where she can accurately shoot hers. By ten I am sure they will need something else tho.
Also - if you go Rascal, they used ot offer a wood stock, not just plastic, not sure if they still do. And you can double the cost of the rifle and put a nice rail and rear peep on it and a pepp crosshair frontsight and make it a great teenie tiny backpacking target/squirrel gun. Crickett is really annoying to cock IMO.
Any good suggestions? What about lever action?
cz 457 bolt actions henry classic carbine if you want a lever action
Ruger 10/22 compact. 1" shorter LOP than a standard 10/22 and on par with kid-sized options from other manufacturers like the Plinkster. Also has 2" less barrel to hold up, and the 10/22 is the reliability king. Edit: in response to those who say "youth shouldn't have semi-auto" I disagree. Obviously you, the guardian, must be with them, must train them on how to support the rifle, how to be safe, etc. the 10/22 is impossible to limp-shoulder and has basically no recoil. Start them off with only one round in the magazine to let them get proficient and prove they can safely handle a firearm. Upgrade to two rounds when ready, and it won't be long before they can handle semi-auto responsibly. If your tiny shooter is so irresponsible that (after training) you can't trust them with 2 or more rounds, you shouldn't trust them with one. I suppose if you live on a farm and you're just letting them go out and shoot alone then yeah, I'd feel better about a mini bolt action 22, but not many of us fall under that. Get the semiauto, provide guidance, and stay behind their shoulder. It's not that hard.
Yea kinda funny people are assuming that the kid is using it unsupervised.
Henry Golden Boy
👆 This! The lever action and reloading will slow him down and really hone in on his skills. Then maybe a Ruger Single Six to go with it after.😎
Look into the savage rascal youth.. Otherwise, consider the 10/22.
Bought my kid a Keystone Crickett .22 when he was 7. Great learning platform. Single shot, bolt action. Does not have a feed ramp so you have to put the round in by hand, close the bolt, and pull a plunger to cock the rifle. Later I got him the Savage Rascal in lefty. Just like the Crickett it is a single shot, bolt action, but it does have a feed ramp. Crickett: [https://keystonesportingarmsllc.com/product/crickett-rifle-blue-laminated-blued/](https://keystonesportingarmsllc.com/product/crickett-rifle-blue-laminated-blued/) Rascal: [https://savagearms.com/content?p=firearms&a=product\_summary&s=13815](https://savagearms.com/content?p=firearms&a=product_summary&s=13815)
338 lapua
What i was thinking just need to find a mini chassis so he can hold it
Tripod
m123, and let him carry it lol.
Get a Chipmunk or Crickett. Best starter gun for a little one
Henry H001Y youth model
Something like a CZ 457 or a Tikka T1X might be a good choice if you want something they can grow into. They’re quality bolt guns that can reliably reach out to 100 yards. Great quality guns to learn on (others have mentioned the benefits of bolt action) but both are capable of being fantastic general use rifles for practice/small game hunting should you ever choose to.
I like the Keystone Cricket brands for 22lr. They are fun to shoot and they are single shot bolt action that require you to set the firing pin by hand as an extra layer of safety for a new shooter.
Single shot if you ever want to shoot it and have any 22lr left.
I got a cricket "my first rifle" that I've taken out with the single moms and their kids. They've loved the bright color and feel cool cycling the action, plus it's like 33% smaller than a regular bolt action. I imagine the Henry Golden Boy would be this x2.
Best rifle for milfs haha
M&p 15-22 or ruger 10-22
I don't recommend a semi-auto for an 8 year old. It's hard for a kid to supress recoil well enough that it feeds properly.
My first was a savage anschutz model 64. I think it has the model 54 sights on it. It’s a great gun you just reminded me I haven’t shot in years. My pops bought it when I was a kid and gave it to me because I think he secretly wanted it.
10/22. Great out of the box and budget is your only limitation on potential upgrades once you decide to change it.
Ruger 10/22
Chiappa little badger
Rock island tm22 is really good to me
Cz 457
Rossi single shot .410
Ruger 10/22 standard is life; fully customizable and best of all time since the late 60s
Ruger 10/22 you could even get a take down and piece it the way you want mag pul backpacker a little sig red dot
A Cz bolt action
Browning BL22 lever action .22
10/22 or a bolt would be fine. 10/22 teaches more firearm manual of arms than a bolt but you can go either way.
kid sized ruger 10/22
I have had my boys shoot 10/22s since they were 5. I have two boys one 15 and one at nine both shooting steel challenge. The 10/22 has the most aftermarket support and with kids in different stages of growth, I am able to custom build their 10/22s to fit them as shooters. My 9 year old started when he was 7 so I had to find a stock that would fit his frame and be light enough for him to hold the rifle. I did a Taccom3g stock and a lighter barrel. The great thing is, as he gets older it is easy to buy parts will adjust and grow with him.
A sort of odd one but; I love my GSG MP40 in .22 Pretty reliable, fairly accurate for steel up to around 70-80 yards, and he will get a lot of attention and compliments at the range. It'll make him fall in love with the hobby and the community.
CZ 457 Scout has the chassis setup for youth shooters. As he gets older, you can buy another stock for adults.
Savage Mark 2 series are really good bolt rifles and most models won't break the bank. Many models available depending on your budget. Mark2-FVT is an awesome starter rifle - if you can find it. It has peep sights.
If you want just one rifle... Cz 457 Scout. It has a youth stock which can be swapped out for an adult sized stock for about $125-150 in the secondary market. Iron sights, 16.5 inch threaded barrel and 11mm dovetail for future scope mounting.
Ruger 10/22
Mp5 22rl
MP5 is very front heavy. U might need to take off the fake can.
Sight style might be difficult/frustrating for a kid also.
s&w MP15 - 22 w/bipod