Milsurp recommendation for my daughter
- Thread starter sallen
- Start date
Eaglelord17
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Sault Ste. Marie
I would go with either a Carcano, Swedish Mauser (either M96 or M38), or a M1 Carbine.
Smellie tells the truth!!
That very rifle is here on loan and I must say that it's a nice medium sized rifle and is fun to shoot! It will be a sad day when I have to give it back!!
C'mon guys, we're talking about small children here.
You need something light, with little or no recoil. The SKS may not seem heavy to you and I but to a 10 year old, shooting offhand with one is next to impossible.
This father is using his head and looking for something that they can get all of the noise from, look big, yet still be on a light frame and with cheap, readily available ammo, if possible.
If these kids were 14-15 years old, the SKS would be fine. In some cases marginal.
My grandson is 10. He doesn't like the SKS and frankly, neither do his friends. They all find it to be heavy and awkward and the muzzle blast scares them. As far as anything larger, all those rifles do is turn them off shooting.
Common sense must be used when dealing with kids. There are some that seem to be able to gobble up everything put in front of them. They aren't the norm though.
I've trained several hundred junior shooters. The mainstay rifles were chambered in 22rf. We had special shooting days, where they got to try out CF rifles of different sizes. They were almost all uncomfortable with semi autos. Especially the AR platforms.
At first, they were all excited about shooting a "soldier rifle." Once they picked it up and realized how heavy it was, that changed quickly.
Most were just plain frightened of the medium sized cartridge rifles. They found them heavy and awkward, on and off the bench. They hated the recoil and some flatly pointed out that they would quit coming if they had to shoot them again.
One rifle they all liked, was a lovely little .36 cal Pennsylvania Squirrel rifle I had. It was custom made for small statured individuals. Lots of flame and smoke. Lots of fuss and muss. The whole thing just appeals to most children and some adults.
They all laughed when it was mentioned the powder smoke smells like someone peeing on a hot fire barrel. I'm of topic now, this isn't a milsurp but these rifles are still available and about the same price.
You need something light, with little or no recoil. The SKS may not seem heavy to you and I but to a 10 year old, shooting offhand with one is next to impossible.
This father is using his head and looking for something that they can get all of the noise from, look big, yet still be on a light frame and with cheap, readily available ammo, if possible.
If these kids were 14-15 years old, the SKS would be fine. In some cases marginal.
My grandson is 10. He doesn't like the SKS and frankly, neither do his friends. They all find it to be heavy and awkward and the muzzle blast scares them. As far as anything larger, all those rifles do is turn them off shooting.
Common sense must be used when dealing with kids. There are some that seem to be able to gobble up everything put in front of them. They aren't the norm though.
I've trained several hundred junior shooters. The mainstay rifles were chambered in 22rf. We had special shooting days, where they got to try out CF rifles of different sizes. They were almost all uncomfortable with semi autos. Especially the AR platforms.
At first, they were all excited about shooting a "soldier rifle." Once they picked it up and realized how heavy it was, that changed quickly.
Most were just plain frightened of the medium sized cartridge rifles. They found them heavy and awkward, on and off the bench. They hated the recoil and some flatly pointed out that they would quit coming if they had to shoot them again.
One rifle they all liked, was a lovely little .36 cal Pennsylvania Squirrel rifle I had. It was custom made for small statured individuals. Lots of flame and smoke. Lots of fuss and muss. The whole thing just appeals to most children and some adults.
They all laughed when it was mentioned the powder smoke smells like someone peeing on a hot fire barrel. I'm of topic now, this isn't a milsurp but these rifles are still available and about the same price.
Quit agree, Bearhunter: part of the reason I recommended a Model 41 over many other rifles.
As a military rifle, it is a lightweight, stock is relatively short, recoil is very manageable..... and the one I have responds extremely well to light loadings with a 140 bullet. The 27-inch barrel is lightweight but it keeps muzzle blast down nicely, too: something you don't get in ANY Carbine, most of which are much too loud for me, never mind a kid.
As you, I would not want a kid turned off the sport, nor would I want one to hurt itself trying to handle an 8x57 with 196s or something else ridiculous.
Carcano is cheapest I could come with a "real Army gun"...... and the one voted "least likely to offend under $1299 plus tax".
Just felt I had to explain this a bit.
Be safe, be happy. Life is too damned short to go hurting yourself.
As a military rifle, it is a lightweight, stock is relatively short, recoil is very manageable..... and the one I have responds extremely well to light loadings with a 140 bullet. The 27-inch barrel is lightweight but it keeps muzzle blast down nicely, too: something you don't get in ANY Carbine, most of which are much too loud for me, never mind a kid.
As you, I would not want a kid turned off the sport, nor would I want one to hurt itself trying to handle an 8x57 with 196s or something else ridiculous.
Carcano is cheapest I could come with a "real Army gun"...... and the one voted "least likely to offend under $1299 plus tax".
Just felt I had to explain this a bit.
Be safe, be happy. Life is too damned short to go hurting yourself.
The m1 carbine is ideal in size and weight. Cost might be prohibitive to some, however, my ex girlfriends 9 year daughter had no troubles handling the recoil or noise. Second choice I would choose an SKS and remove the bayonet and it's pin. That would lighten up the front end a bit and make it balance better. The 7.62x39 is gentle on recoil, and Cheap enough so daughter can shoot enough to become comfortable. I found that having kids wear ear plugs and ear muffs quiet most rifles rifles to the point they somehow seem more gentle to them.
- Location
- pallisers triangle
i have a 12 year old neice and nef that i taught to shoot. started bb gun, pellet gun, and in no time had the sites figured out. then 22 that was way fun, what else ya got uncle. over last summer they have already shot up to 12 ga. done right they never got hurt, enjoy it. but by far there fav is the M1 carbine. i have to get another for next summer. sks is a lil bit front heavy for them . i also have a destroyer, but they can be fickle and poor quality, so its far from what i would call a first choice.
also if its range shooting, an M4 would work great, but not really a Millsurp. we have a lil tradition for the last 2 years now, after xmass we shoot the ginger bread house up. last one was the first time the boy shot a 12 ga. rem 1100. hit it perfectly at about 20 yards with a light birdshot load. blew it to a million pieces. ive never seen a kid laugh so hard.
M1 carbine IS by far the most popular here with my 2
also if its range shooting, an M4 would work great, but not really a Millsurp. we have a lil tradition for the last 2 years now, after xmass we shoot the ginger bread house up. last one was the first time the boy shot a 12 ga. rem 1100. hit it perfectly at about 20 yards with a light birdshot load. blew it to a million pieces. ive never seen a kid laugh so hard.
M1 carbine IS by far the most popular here with my 2
Thanks everyone, the decision has been made, partially based on availability. I got a good deal on a Swedish M96 Mauser in 6.5x55 from a member here, so that is what will be under the tree this Christmas. I’ll keep the SKS on the back burner, possibly as a birthday present. I’ll pick up some ammo for my M1 carbine and let her try that out as well. If she likes it we can look at the non-restricted version. I’ll keep the Carcano on the list as well.
You can't go wrong with a 6.5 Swede. My first military rifle purchase in the early '80's. Eighty-five bucks at LeBaron's in Toronto. Ammo was difficult to find at that time. Bought 60 Norma brass and started hand loading. Still using my original load in some of that brass. Old lady brought a bird home from local turkey shoot this fall. One of the best values available to a military rifle enthusiast looking for an accurate rifle.
RememberTheSomme
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Nova Scotia
You have many choices here already listed, some I didn't consider before like Smellie's suggestion on the Carcano..
The M-1 Carbine is as good as it gets in recoil, LOP, weight and muzzle blast for a child. Good aperture sights. Ammo is a little expensive and many are restricted so a tiny handicap here.
The AR is a superb rifle. Great aperture sights. Accurate way out there, recoil like an M-1 carbine, but the shorter bbl's do have substantial muzzle blast, best hearing protection is in order here. Ammo is relatively cheap, and there is a cool factor for kid's as well, but the restricted part limits your useability like a restricted carbine.
The lowly SKS. Well we have two in the house here now. I had absolutely no time for them for years. Now I love them. Ammo is cheap. .17cents/round. Recoil sweet. weight getting up there though for a small child but muzzle blast is good.
I zeroed my second SKS at 200m using Bulgarian surplus. After getting it to shoot point of aim with the rear set at 200m @ the 200m backsotp, I switched back to a 100m bull with a six o'clock hold with the rear sight pulled back to 100m. It was nice seeing the surplus ball printing right into the bottom of the bull, or point of aim. You can see this ammo and the SKS sight system were made for each other for some reason. I wonder why??
I'm sure it will shoot near point of aim if I slip the sight back to the battle notch "n" or 300m.
As to the open sights on the SKS,..... as good as it gets for a beginner to learn the use of Patridge type sights and the six o'clock hold for bulleyes shooting. These sight pictures would also help a beginner pistol shooter in bulleyes plinking.
You really can't go wrong here, because you have your daughter interested in a fine hobby you both can share. Muzzle control, shooting glasses and best hearing protection you can get is the game. I just got my daughter to book her R/PAL, shes now turned 20, and I just bought her a 10/22 camo for Xmas.
The M-1 Carbine is as good as it gets in recoil, LOP, weight and muzzle blast for a child. Good aperture sights. Ammo is a little expensive and many are restricted so a tiny handicap here.
The AR is a superb rifle. Great aperture sights. Accurate way out there, recoil like an M-1 carbine, but the shorter bbl's do have substantial muzzle blast, best hearing protection is in order here. Ammo is relatively cheap, and there is a cool factor for kid's as well, but the restricted part limits your useability like a restricted carbine.
The lowly SKS. Well we have two in the house here now. I had absolutely no time for them for years. Now I love them. Ammo is cheap. .17cents/round. Recoil sweet. weight getting up there though for a small child but muzzle blast is good.
I zeroed my second SKS at 200m using Bulgarian surplus. After getting it to shoot point of aim with the rear set at 200m @ the 200m backsotp, I switched back to a 100m bull with a six o'clock hold with the rear sight pulled back to 100m. It was nice seeing the surplus ball printing right into the bottom of the bull, or point of aim. You can see this ammo and the SKS sight system were made for each other for some reason. I wonder why??
I'm sure it will shoot near point of aim if I slip the sight back to the battle notch "n" or 300m.
As to the open sights on the SKS,..... as good as it gets for a beginner to learn the use of Patridge type sights and the six o'clock hold for bulleyes shooting. These sight pictures would also help a beginner pistol shooter in bulleyes plinking.
You really can't go wrong here, because you have your daughter interested in a fine hobby you both can share. Muzzle control, shooting glasses and best hearing protection you can get is the game. I just got my daughter to book her R/PAL, shes now turned 20, and I just bought her a 10/22 camo for Xmas.
safehunter
Regular
- Location
- South Western Onterrible
The sks is nice short LOP, cheap with cheap ammo, but it's trigger is pretty horrendous. Unless you do a trigger job, I think it would be too hard to pull for a small child.
The SKS is cheap, reasonably accurate, and bullet-proof. The M1 carbine is easier to shoot well, handier, and recoils a little less. IT also costs at least 4 times as much. I have both rifles, but the kids shoot the M1 carbine when given a choice.
I`d recommend 3 different guns:
1) M1 Carbine: Very small, light handy guns. Very low recoil round even with a light action. Guns themselves are light and handy. Can be had in restricted or non-restricted barrel configuration.
2) SKS: Short stock means they're suitable for smaller people. They're a little heavier, but lots of spare parts, cheap to buy, cheap ammo, but being corrosive takes a fair bit of cleaning each use.
3) M38 Swedish Mauser: Beautifully made, solid as a tank, shoot an amazing cartridge known for accuracy and low recoil, often very good bores on them. They might be a bit heavy and tough to operate for a 12 year old but will last a lifetime and can fulfill a variety of roles.
Finally, maybe try a military trainer in .22? They come as enfields, mausers and all manner of other makes and models - either converted milsurps or purpose made trainers.
1) M1 Carbine: Very small, light handy guns. Very low recoil round even with a light action. Guns themselves are light and handy. Can be had in restricted or non-restricted barrel configuration.
2) SKS: Short stock means they're suitable for smaller people. They're a little heavier, but lots of spare parts, cheap to buy, cheap ammo, but being corrosive takes a fair bit of cleaning each use.
3) M38 Swedish Mauser: Beautifully made, solid as a tank, shoot an amazing cartridge known for accuracy and low recoil, often very good bores on them. They might be a bit heavy and tough to operate for a 12 year old but will last a lifetime and can fulfill a variety of roles.
Finally, maybe try a military trainer in .22? They come as enfields, mausers and all manner of other makes and models - either converted milsurps or purpose made trainers.
OP, it's my personal opinion that your daughter would be best off with something like an M1 Carbine, IF you're willing to spend the money. Light recoil, light rifle, can be had non-res, but it is much more expensive than the SKS.
