Thread: Small 22 for kids

Kids are wanting to do some more shooting but my 22s are all full sized and a bit big for them. Is there such a thing as a youth/kids 22? Boys are 6/9 years old. Any ideas?

there sure is..the likes of the rascal are modern take on the old classic single we all learnt with...and plenty of norincos out there that have had 3" cut off buttstock and put away in cupboard to dowel and glue back on later.
there are even a couple of break open models now.....the new stuff is rather on pricey side...still plenty of old singles around they are perfect for the task..arguably safer and use of open sights to begin with is good training....and less to go wrong...pissed with myself for selling the remington single I had.....very accurate,hard to justify having it when also had norinco repeater in safe...untill time to train up kids....

I strongly support MD's post above - single shot open sights is a great way to build good basic safety/skills/patience//respect/understanding.

I can't have been much older than 9 when I started on Dad's old single shot .22 - a Gecado Plinker. Bloody loved that rifle.
One popped at GC Chch a while back, sans ejector as a parts gun. If my bloody license hadn't take an eternity, I would have bought it and got a copy of Dad's ejector machined, but some lucky bugger with I assume the same plan beat me to it.

An old decent brand single shot that can be butchered without causing too many tears (i.e. not a potential collectors item... and not a Gecado Plinker ) would be a great option to start them on.

Bugger me, there you go:
https://www.trademe.co.nz/3542594423

(Just pleeeeease don't cut it down! Ha ha!)

Looking for something for my son too. I'd really like to put an adjustable stock on my CZ452 and have him use that, but stocks like that are hard to find for an older rifle. Also, I've noticed he's really struggling with the scope, so open sights may be the way to go.

Yup as stated above, single shot with open sights is the only way to go

Those Sav Rascals seem the best new option as they are designed for "kids learning to shoot" & have the size n safety built in, very cool

Originally Posted by MB

Looking for something for my son too. I'd really like to put an adjustable stock on my CZ452 and have him use that, but stocks like that are hard to find for an older rifle. Also, I've noticed he's really struggling with the scope, so open sights may be the way to go.

have you checked his eye dominance???
but yes a shorter stock makes a huge difference.

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

have you checked his eye dominance???

I've tried!

stand across room and get him to point his finger or a small ruler/stick at your right eye (cover your left so no confusion) it should be obvious from there.

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

stand across room and get him to point his finger or a small ruler/stick at your right eye (cover your left so no confusion) it should be obvious from there.

How's that work then?

he will have his dominant eye looking along the stick... same as you do.point at something...close dominant eye and your other, wont be anywhere near in line with finger.

by looking back along stick at him you will see which eye he using.

There’s a couple of single shots in h&f Whangarei one is a Gecado.

In addition to short length of pull, the Rascal:
▪️ Light weight and balanced, little kids are able to shoot it off hand.
▪️ Aperture & blade sights seem easier to get their heads around.
▪️ Real slender through the wrist and fore end for their little hands.
▪️ Cocks conventionally on bolt open for good muscle memory development from the get go.
▪️ Better more enjoyable experience using it.

These points are really noticeable with children under about ten years. An old cut down single shot just isn’t the same without additional modification.

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

by looking back along stick at him you will see which eye he using.

We used to use the old "clap ya hands together" trick & then see which eye was dominate, dunno if it was a very scientifically proven method though.