Club Guns for Jr Introductory Program - Recommendations

Engineer

Engineer

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Dartmouth, NS
Hi,

I'm looking into equipment for youngsters 9-12. We are looking at investing in a Jr program to introduce kids to shooting. This would be primarily a fun program but serving as a pool for those that may like to develop or stream into competitive shooting if they so desire. We have used some FB300 for rifles and TAU7 for pistols. The problem we are having is the size of these. The are relatively heavy for the young kids and the side cocking on the FB300 is tough. Price is also a consideration as well of course, the cheaper they are the more we can buy, more kids having fun etc.

Any thoughts on equipment? I think the focus needs to be on usability and fun at this age.
 
Engineer said:
Hi,

I'm looking into equipment for youngsters 9-12. We are looking at investing in a Jr program to introduce kids to shooting. This would be primarily a fun program but serving as a pool for those that may like to develop or stream into competitive shooting if they so desire. We have used some FB300 for rifles and TAU7 for pistols. The problem we are having is the size of these. The are relatively heavy for the young kids and the side cocking on the FB300 is tough. Price is also a consideration as well of course, the cheaper they are the more we can buy, more kids having fun etc.
Any thoughts on equipment? I think the focus needs to be on usability and fun at this age.
Click to expand...

My daughter, when 12 years old, shot a Crosman Challenger 2000 rifle. She liked it and did quite well with it. The drawback is the CO2 cartridges and the fact that the POI changes when the CO2 pressure starts to drop.
At my former club, the air cadets used the Daisy 853 rifle. A single stroke pneumatic. Although they were probably older than the kids you mention, they had no problem cocking the rifle. Of course they have to completely change position to #### it and it looked awkward in the prone position.
 
Our club uses crosman 1077s and crosman 357 pistols.
Yes they are co2 but the youth instructors like them since they
have 10 round mags with no pumping or barrel to break which means
less muzzles swinging around.
 
Daisy Avanti 853, check them out if too expensive here is it's poor cousin Daisy Powerline 953 TargetPro.
They are single stroke pneumatic, Cadet corps. use the 853 from what I've heard.
 
Forcedair said:
My daughter, when 12 years old, shot a Crosman Challenger 2000 rifle. She liked it and did quite well with it. The drawback is the CO2 cartridges and the fact that the POI changes when the CO2 pressure starts to drop.
At my former club, the air cadets used the Daisy 853 rifle. A single stroke pneumatic. Although they were probably older than the kids you mention, they had no problem cocking the rifle. Of course they have to completely change position to #### it and it looked awkward in the prone position.
Click to expand...

I'm leaning towards co2 or PCP since some of the smaller kids have trouble with single stroke pneumatic like the FB300 pr the daisies. Some of the larger kids are cadets and they seem to be ok. I hadn't considered the challenger 2000 before, I went right over it since it wasn't below 495ft/s and required a PAL, but on second thought it really doesn't matter; I may take a look at them.
 
Engineer said:
I'm leaning towards co2 or PCP since some of the smaller kids have trouble with single stroke pneumatic like the FB300 pr the daisies. Some of the larger kids are cadets and they seem to be ok. I hadn't considered the challenger 2000 before, I went right over it since it wasn't below 495ft/s and required a PAL, but on second thought it really doesn't matter; I may take a look at them.
Click to expand...

The Challenger 2000 my daughter used was under 495 f/s. I am certain they are available in under 495 f/s.
 
It's too bad the Industry Brand AR2078s aren't ambidextrous, they weigh about as much as the Challenger and come with diopter sights.
 
My recommendations for bb models are:

- Red Ryder (light and great for smaller youth)
- Avanti Champion Model 499B (has been dubbed "the most accurate BB gun in the world" time. Used by the NRA for their 5M competitions)
- Winchester Model 11 Pistol (Made by Daisy - one of the most accurate pistols I have used without getting into high end competition rigs, full weight of the real steel, blowback, and ambidextrous grip. 410 fps, it is CO2 but it lasts double what other lower velocity pistols do, that means more shots)

The Canadian Cadet Movement's Air Rifle is the Daisy Avanti 853C .177 Calibre Target Air Rifle. Their Small bore rifle training is conducted at outdoor civilian ranges. Most squadrons use the Lee Enfield C No7 .22 Calibre Rifle, and the Anschütz Target Rifle. However more and more squads are choosing the air rifle option for a number of reasons.
 
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