[kycol]

Originally Posted by RustyShackleford101

I'm talking from some experience here. I would probably go with a single shot. Ithaca 49, Rossi, but it's best to get an inexpensive one. The single shots are good because there is much less of a chance of a negligent discharge, and it is better at teaching fundamentals. Also, I wouldn't put a scope on it. It is much better to start them off with open sights and move up on a scope.

Is this experience with 8 to 10 year old boys? The cricket and chipmunk are going to be the best fit. Yes they could sand bag a heavier rifle, but the best all around is one they can hold and shoulder. Those larger guns is like trying to replace you 1911 with a Mossberg 500 with a pistol grip.try That one handed

[RustyShackleford101]

Originally Posted by kycol

Is this experience with 8 to 10 year old boys? The cricket and chipmunk are going to be the best fit. Yes they could sand bag a heavier rifle, but the best all around is one they can hold and shoulder. Those larger guns is like trying to replace you 1911 with a Mossberg 500 with a pistol grip.try That one handed

Hey I have a .22 Rossi single shot that weighs about 4.5 lbs, and my Ithica 49 weighs around 7. I don't think that is very heavy, and I used them just fine when I was 8 years old.

[kycol]

Originally Posted by RustyShackleford101

Hey I have a .22 Rossi single shot that weighs about 4.5 lbs, and my Ithica 49 weighs around 7. I don't think that is very heavy, and I used them just fine when I was 8 years old.

I'm sure you remember it that way, but I bet in reallality it was very awkward for you to properly hold and sight. I've seen my grandson trying to hold my marlin 60 with the butt under his arm instead of shoulder. Proper fit makes for better training

[RustyShackleford101]

Originally Posted by kycol

I'm sure you remember it that way, but I bet in reallality it was very awkward for you to properly hold and sight. I've seen my grandson trying to hold my marlin 60 with the butt under his arm instead of shoulder. Proper fit makes for better training

Well th Rossi is a youth gun, with a pretty small length of pull, I haven't measured it but it is probably around 10 inches. It only has an 18 inch barrel. The Ithica is a bit bigger though, probably a 12 inch length of pull. My son can do very well with each firearm, although he does prefer the Rossi.

[Jeff56]

I would pick up either a Marlin XT Youth rifle which is a bolt action or the new Rascal by Savage which is also a single shot, bolt action. The Marlin XT Youth rimfires have models that are strictly single shot and they have models that have box mags but have single shot adapters so that they can only be shot one round at a time. These are 4 pound rifles and are made for kid sizes. They have an exceptionally good trigger and they have adjustable iron sights. These rifles will run under $200 and are pretty much perfect for kids to learn to shoot.

You can find them on this web page which shows the various models available. Bud's sells them for $175 and that includes shipping. You can probably find these rifles at a local gun shop though. If they don't have them they can order them which will save you the transfer fee.

The Rascal is even lighter than the Marlin youth rifles. At 2.66 pounds they are a very good weight for kids and they come with peep sights which is a very good thing usually. Savage generally does everything well but I have no direct experience with these rifles. I just know they are in production and I know how Savage does things. You can see these rifles on this web page. At $139 (Buds price) they are also even cheaper than the Marlins. IMO this would be an excellent choice for kids around 7 years old. Bigger kids might do better with the Marlin. BTW the colors on the Rascal might be a good thing to entice your kids to shoot.

BTW both the Marlin and the Savage are setup for scopes if you choose to add one later. But both have working iron sights and that is the best way to learn IMO.

I taught my kids on a single shot Stevens youth model. It hasn't been in production for a very long time though. But mine still works because a single shot, bolt action rifle is as simple as it gets and simple means durable.

Personally I would avoid lever action rifles. They are an old design who's time has come and gone IMO. Bolt action guns are more accurate and more durable.

[RustyShackleford101]

Originally Posted by Jeff56

I would pick up either a Marlin XT Youth rifle which is a bolt action or the new Rascal by Savage which is also a single shot, bolt action. The Marlin XT Youth rimfires have models that are strictly single shot and they have models that have box mags but have single shot adapters so that they can only be shot one round at a time. These are 4 pound rifles and are made for kid sizes. They have an exceptionally good trigger and they have adjustable iron sights. These rifles will run under $200 and are pretty much perfect for kids to learn to shoot.

You can find them on this web page which shows the various models available. Bud's sells them for $175 and that includes shipping. You can probably find these rifles at a local gun shop though. If they don't have them they can order them which will save you the transfer fee.

The Rascal is even lighter than the Marlin youth rifles. At 2.66 pounds they are a very good weight for kids and they come with peep sights which is a very good thing usually. Savage generally does everything well but I have no direct experience with these rifles. I just know they are in production and I know how Savage does things. You can see these rifles on this web page. At $139 (Buds price) they are also even cheaper than the Marlins. IMO this would be an excellent choice for kids around 7 years old. Bigger kids might do better with the Marlin. BTW the colors on the Rascal might be a good thing to entice your kids to shoot.

BTW both the Marlin and the Savage are setup for scopes if you choose to add one later. But both have working iron sights and that is the best way to learn IMO.

I taught my kids on a single shot Stevens youth model. It hasn't been in production for a very long time though. But mine still works because a single shot, bolt action rifle is as simple as it gets and simple means durable.

Personally I would avoid lever action rifles. They are an old design who's time has come and gone IMO. Bolt action guns are more accurate and more durable.

What! What! Lever actions have "come and gone"? Dude!? I love lever actions. They can be manipulated much faster than bolt actions and many have a higher capacity. The first bolt action was made in 1836. It was called the Dreyse Needle Gun. Many historians believe that the first viable lever action was the Spencer repeater, made in 1860, so it seems like bolt guns are OLDER than lever guns. I'm not saying that I prefer lever action to bolt action, but the design is still very useful and practical.

[bearrwe]

Get them each their own that way when they grow up its not a question of which one gets it. My brother and I shared a 22 and as adults had this issue. I like single shots for first guns and with my son had really good luck with the Rossi youth combo. Its a break open single shot with interchangable barrels I choose 22/20ga but they have several combo and you can buy larger caliber barrels and adapters to make the stock longer as they grow. Best part was I picked it up for about 125 a few years ago. It has multiple safeties and a key lock on the hammer. Even though I trust my son and keep the guns I a safe I would always lock the hammer just in case he got ahold of it to show a friend, which is always the start of a bad story.

[RustyShackleford101]

I have some advise. My father did this with me and I do it with my boy. Anytime he wants to handle the gun, have him ask you. If it is sitting high up on the shelf, that evokes curiosity and can lead to an accident. When I got to around 13 or 14, I was given a key to the gun cabinet, and told I could go out and shoot when I wanted, I just had to tell dad. I don't think there should be a certain age of when to do this, but you should be very sure that your child is 100% safe and responsible.

[big shrek]

Tell Annie Oakley that lever-actions suck...LOL..she'd dot yer eyes!!

While it is an older design, so is the Bolt-action!! Equally Antique!!

I actually would suggest an OLDER, Used Marlin 39A/D-series...they last Forever, and if need be, can be brought back from the dead
Plus you can always say "Hey, that was Great-Grandpaw Blank's rifle, do NOT abuse it!! Treat it like it was your best friend!!"
Those old Marlins will last longer than you or the boys or their sons, if properly cared for

The Marlin Youth XT22 is a SWEET rifle...those Microgroove barrels produce unreal precision for an inexpensive rifle!!
Adjustable trigger, nifty new stock, and Boyd's Riflestocks carries some really nice styles of Laminate Wood for getting older...

Boys being boys, they are going to drop 'em a time or two...I prefer the Military Method here...
"If the rifle hits the ground, you hit with it and start doing pushups until I'm Tired!!"
Positive Re-enforcement...they will positively remember not to drop it

[Jeff56]

They can be manipulated much faster than bolt actions and many have a higher capacity.

I didn't see the word "accurate" in there Dale. Annie looked good with her lever for sure but then again she used shot shells so maybe she had an advantage, no? BTW I didn't say they "suck". I just said the other designs are better and they are. If you want fast you can get yourself a semi-auto that will shoot faster than any lever can possibly shoot even if you're one of those guys who practice day and night for years to get fast with a lever. And that semi-auto will be just as accurate as the lever.

Obviously the most significant piece of a gun that determines accuracy is the barrel so you can certainly get an accurate lever gun. But they have to have more wiggle room to function smoothly every time so that means less accuracy than a bolt gun. And a semi-auto will match a lever for accuracy and beat it on speed. It's a no brainer IMO.

I know people love their levers. But I'm sticking to my opinion. I just don't see a reason to work that lever myself when a semi-auto will shoot as well without the movement of the large muscles of the arm. And the SA will be faster. I just don't see where a lever has an advantage over either. Also when Annie was shooting the selections were a lot more limited. I'd bet a dollar to a doughnut she would have been shooting a SA if she could have.

I believe the older lever guns were more accurate and more durable. But that tells us something. It tells us the companies have had to cut corners to make money on those guns because of market forces. When you get diminishing returns for your investment in tools and machinery to make rifles companies will cut corners to keep the profit margin up. At the same time the quality of bolt guns has jumped forward a big amount IMO. What that tells me is that lever guns are on their way out eventually unless things change and I don't see any big reason for any change. The design is just not as accurate as some designs and not as fast as other designs. Such is life. They will still be around as long as most of us are.