Help me choose a starter rifle for my little girls.

The Henry looks like the smallest of the bunch, and you could easily Krylon the stock pink if you got one.

My choice when I got one for my granddaughter (at 11) was the Savage Cub. It came in the pink laminate (you know how important that was!), but in addition it has the aperture sight and the accutrigger, both of which make it easy to shoot. I want her to learn, not just to play around, and with this she does both. She just turned 12 now, and has calmly informed me that shooting is her favourite thing to do. I know that won't last, but nice to hear.

Airguns are a good idea too...Kayla was shooting a Daisy for a couple of years before she moved up to .22's, and there was the safety benefit of her needing me to #### the spring...she couldn't handle it on her own. When she shot her first round of .22 ammo, she solemnly asked if she was now a big-bore shooter!

John
 
9x19p said:
I have seen a pink .22 at Wanstalls (sponsor), very small single shot. I think it's a Savage but not too sure. It makes a 10/22 look big so it would fit a 5-7 year old. Call Craig 1 888 967-4867.
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I have the stevens/savage cub, (not in pink though. :))
Its a great starter gun, but I shoot mine more then all my others combined, it fits in my backpack when you take the stock off. Has a sweet peep site, and very accurate. You may want to get two, if it's pink your girls will be fighting over it. :)
 
Henry Mini Bolt would be my first recommendation

Remington 597 VTR would be my second recommendation

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After looking at all of these I still think a pink savage cub is what I need. Want to stick with a bolt, I have 2 semi's. And they come in pink with a nice stock. Good sights, drilled for bases if I choose later on.

Thanks guys.
 
Pink!

I haven't read all the other posts but take it from a man who has 5 daughters (yes 5 daughters & one wife and a son): colour is critical to little girls.
A few years ago I painted a pellet gun in hot pink for one of my young daughters who was about 11 at the time. She loved it, and so did my wife! Girls don't care about tactical or camo one iota - make sure it's pink, and they'll be happy with just about anything. Of course it helps if it's a good quality gun - it's just better if it's got some colour (pink is good).
And BTW - don't overlook good quality pellet guns or BB guns for starters.
 
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I read an article a long time ago from a guy who cut the stock down on a midsize 22 LR and kept the piece he cut off. Every two years or so he added an inch back onto the buttstock. I forget what he used as a white spacer between the pieces but it didn't look too bad for a gun with 3 inch-long chunks of stock reattached.
 
ipscgraz said:
I read an article a long time ago from a guy who cut the stock down on a midsize 22 LR and kept the piece he cut off. Every two years or so he added an inch back onto the buttstock. I forget what he used as a white spacer between the pieces but it didn't look too bad for a gun with 3 inch-long chunks of stock reattached.
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My dad did that for us a LONG time ago...I doubt you read about him though. I'll ask him next time I talk to him how he did it but, the last segment could be add/removed easily and, quickly. My sisters were close in age to each other but, not same sized people and, 5 years older than I was.
...walk down memory lane!
 
I took some pics and weighed 3 22 singles I have that you may want to look at:

1: cooey 39, nice tight and smooth action compared to the other 2, just has the bolt half cocked safety. As for the bolt pull, I don't see much of a difference in pull compared to the henry mini bolt. Weight on a digital scale is 4lb 7.8oz

2: Mossberg 801 half pint, has a long bolt and automatically cocks when loading and has a cross safety by the trigger guard and grooved for a scope. This is my choice for my boys. you can remove the plastic plug and insert a 802 model 10 shot clip to make it a repeater which is nice and the price is 160-170 if you check around. Weight was 3lb 15.5oz

3: Henry mini bolt, lightest for sure at only 2lb 13.7oz and has the composite stock and fibre optic sites and grooved for a scope. Has a slide safety on the left side of the bolt. More expensive that the 801, found the bolts in the mini and 801 pretty sloppy.

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Having them have to #### the rifle is an extra safety feature, and as far as I am concerned, a good learning device. I would be more concerned with fit than color... really, if it's pink, and they are not comfortable with it, and can't hit stuff, they will be turned off. You can paint the stock any color you like, but fit is paramount.
 
Henry MINI BOLT!!!!!!! My daughters 3 and has one. Shot it once. "once!" Dam! Don't know why? But, Boomers CZ 452 would be sweet. Not familiar with the open sights on that model, The Henry comes with Williams fire sights. They are extremely easy to sight and the girls will love the color! lmao. Love them little gun totin sweethearts! "Nothin sweeter than a girl with a gun" Well.....
 
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I just bought a T/C HOTSHOT for my 2 boys. Ill give it to them at Christmas. Seems like a real nice starter rifle, the only thing that Im not to keen on is the peep sights!
 
cz scout may be the best rifle, as it is likely more accurate that the henry, crickett and many others mentioned and may be the one they can continue to use to adulthood without ever having to buy another rifle. It is magazine fed and comes as a single shot, and you can later ad a 5 round mag or 10 round mag. You can find them new for 400 and it will hold its resale better than most. I would scope it first as you can work on the skills of shooting first then teach them how to learn to use the irons. No real need to learn the hard way first, you will get them to be better shots much more quickly that way and keep their interest. Do pay attention to the ammo, these little characters often times pick up the sport quickly and will get frustrated when the gun doesn't shoot where they knew they were aiming. Highly recommned subsonic ammo, as it tends to be more accurate and is obviously a little tamer, something they will benefit from.
No gun is a bad choice, just some are better than others. Do have fun with you little ones, and good job for teaching them something everyone should know. You are being a great Dad.
Merry Chirstmas
 
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