I'm a big fan of the M1 Carbine - truly a great gun (especially non-restricted and with the newly available cheap ammo) the Destroyer is very cool too - but check the chamber!!! - there were lots of gunsmiths making a living in the '80's turning the barrels back to convert to 9x19 - not that the conversions are bad, in fact they're pretty great, but there are 'short' chambers out there.
Milsurp recommendation for my daughter
- Thread starter sallen
- Start date
fingers284
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Alberta Cowboy Ranges
Nobody has mentioned the Krag in 6.5 Swede . A short light weight rifle that a small framed person would have no problem handling...and its a bolt gun, better choise for a beginner I think.
Ther recoil of the 7,62x39 is very easy on the shoulder but the sks might be a bit heavy for the 12 year old. THe swedish mauser is lighter but I havn't had the chance to shoot it so I can't say anything about the recoil.
MauserMike
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- SW Ontario
and pistol priced ammo is a bonus. Check out tulammocanada.com <$20 for 50
Some say I'm crazy but I'd get an SVT-40. I've found it has virtually no recoil. I also think it kicks less then the SKS and it makes a hell of a lot more noise 
go with the 6/12(depending on how you wanna refer to it) port muzzle break. Good luck in your search. Regardless of what you end up getting, she'll have a very Merry Christmas
go with the 6/12(depending on how you wanna refer to it) port muzzle break. Good luck in your search. Regardless of what you end up getting, she'll have a very Merry Christmas 
Since you mentioned you reload, what about a Lee Enfield? I have fired many rounds of reduced loads in Lee Enfields with great accuracy and almost no recoil. You can used cast bullets or even .32 pistol bullets. One of my father's favourite loads is a .303 with Hornady XTP .32 caliber hollowpoints. They have nearly the same recoil as a .22 and they are devastating on groundhogs.
Some say I'm crazy but I'd get an SVT-40. I've found it has virtually no recoil. I also think it kicks less then the SKS and it makes a hell of a lot more noise
I own an SKS, SVT-40 and a M96/m38 swede.
SKS has the lightest recoil by far.
SVT-40 seems to have less recoil then the M96.
Trigger on the SVT is horrible and kind of hard to reach. (at least to me)
SKS is cheap, ammo is plenty, shorter LOP. Could work as a deer rifle. However hard to scope and you'll get maybe 3Moa at 100yards with optics if lucky.
Get an SKS for now (cheap and you can resell it easy)
A M96 6.5 Swede could work, but to be honest I think recoil will be a bit much at first and at 1$ a round it does get expensive quick.
What about a .357 Rossi Carbine ?
6.5x55 in a carbine would be very nice. I've got a long rifle from Tradeex with the diopter sights and, honestly, I don't shoot it nearly as much as I ought to.
I'd also say an M44 Mosin, but not if she is going to be needing a safety! Take the bayonet off, load it with cast bullets and 2400 or Red Dot, and very little recoil. More manageable and a bit lighter than the longer 91/30.
Shooters Choice has one listed in their used rifles section for under $200. Minor acts of Bubba include a bent bolt handle and sling swivels, both of which could be rectified.
I'd also say an M44 Mosin, but not if she is going to be needing a safety! Take the bayonet off, load it with cast bullets and 2400 or Red Dot, and very little recoil. More manageable and a bit lighter than the longer 91/30.
Shooters Choice has one listed in their used rifles section for under $200. Minor acts of Bubba include a bent bolt handle and sling swivels, both of which could be rectified.
Turkinator
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Onterrible
I vote k31. Elegant, and the straight bolt pull is smooth.
"...The recoil on an SKS..." Non-existant. Mind you, size has nothing to do with how a shooter deals with felt recoil. The only downside to an SKS is their poor sights. A 12 year old with a bit of training can handle any rifle with no fuss. Even one that weighs as much as she does.
"...What about an M1 carbine?..." Unless you can find one with a non-restricted barrel, you can't play with 'em. The CPFO's have been refusing to issue ATT's for restricted rifles.
"...What about an M1 carbine?..." Unless you can find one with a non-restricted barrel, you can't play with 'em. The CPFO's have been refusing to issue ATT's for restricted rifles.
Where do you come up with this crap? There are no problems taking a restricted anything to the range, it is prohibited rifles that we can't have SAP's for any longer.
Mark
Every ATT issued in ON is valid for all restricted firearms and prohibited handguns registered to the address of the permit holder.
SKS has a short pull, is inexpensive, and fires inexpensive ammunition at present. Sights are coarse, and the trigger pulls tend to leave a lot to be desired.
M-1 carbine is light, handy, easy to shoot, has better sights than an SKS, and a better trigger. More expensive rifle, and more expensive ammunition. Restricted unless equipped with the longer barrel.
SKS has a short pull, is inexpensive, and fires inexpensive ammunition at present. Sights are coarse, and the trigger pulls tend to leave a lot to be desired.
M-1 carbine is light, handy, easy to shoot, has better sights than an SKS, and a better trigger. More expensive rifle, and more expensive ammunition. Restricted unless equipped with the longer barrel.
- Location
- West Quebec
Nice.. any pics
It might be a good idea to set aside a certain amount of $, then take her shopping and find the right rifle for her. There's so many variables that a nicely wrapped box under the tree can't really contain.
Thanks everyone for the contributions so far, by all means keep them coming. I am leaning towards an SKS, however she does have a birthday coming up, so we’ll probably build her collection up slowly with some of these other suggestions. I do have plans to build her her own AR at some point, however the pink stock set has been on back order at Brownells for several months. This was in the works before she asked for a gun for Christmas.
She does want a gun of her own, however I do have several in larger calibers that I could download for, and let her borrow. My M1 carbine is restricted, although if she likes it, I can see picking up a non-restricted one. I can’t recall the last time that I shot it, so it’s time to go ammo shopping as well.
She does want a gun of her own, however I do have several in larger calibers that I could download for, and let her borrow. My M1 carbine is restricted, although if she likes it, I can see picking up a non-restricted one. I can’t recall the last time that I shot it, so it’s time to go ammo shopping as well.
Well, don't forget the Model 41 Carcano. I got mine a number of years ago, part of a multi-rifle deal.
Any time I can get an honest 1-MOA rifle for $56, I'm not crying.
A really nice one still runs only 250 - 300.
Any time I can get an honest 1-MOA rifle for $56, I'm not crying.
A really nice one still runs only 250 - 300.
- Location
- Beaverlodge, Alberta
Brass and bullets both are available though. This is the way my wife went for her first centerfire although it's a Cooey Carcano in 6.5x54 MS.
