15-22 For Daughter

[CrossRifles2008]

I'm thinking of getting a 15-22 for myself. I'm hoping with the adjustable stock my daughter can shoot it. She is 7 and I'm hoping let her try out a 15-22 that would be mine. If she takes to it I'm eyeing a Talo pink camo for her for christmas. It would seem like a good first rifle since with the adjustable stock it can grow with her. What do you guys think?

 

[w0ady]

ive let a few kids shoot at the range before and they loved it. however, it really depends the size of your daughter. before she shoots it, id definitely let her handle 1 at the store to make sure it fits her and isnt awkward to handle. the recoil shouldnt be a problem as long as she can hold it well. worst case, she can start off with a bipod on a bench. good luck either way!

 

[Kayback]

Buy one for yourself, get some rail covers and a stock in pink.

Put those on it when you take her to the range. Win.

KBK

 

[CrossRifles2008]

Yeah she is a tall strong girl for 7. Top 90th percentile. I was thinking bipod if necessary to start too. Was also thinking of possible a Henry 22, but its actually heavier and wont grow with her.

 

[DialTone301]

My 10 daughter was shooting Steel Challenge with ours last year. As long as she can safely handle it I say get her one.

 

[pmbspyder]

I'll go against the grain and say start her off with a bolt action .22. She will learn good technique, trigger control, and the basic fundamentals of shooting on that platform. Once the groundwork is set you can get her into the more "fun" guns like the 15-22. Nothing wrong with letting he shoot yours at the range though. Would you get your sixteen year old a new BMW to learn to drive on? Just my $.02. Either way, you sound like a caring father and that's all that counts

 

[Snake Plissken]

I'll go against the grain and say start her off with a bolt action .22. She will learn good technique, trigger control, and the basic fundamentals of shooting on that platform. Once the groundwork is set you can get her into the more "fun" guns like the 15-22. Nothing wrong with letting he shoot yours at the range though. Would you get your sixteen year old a new BMW to learn to drive on? Just my $.02. Either way, you sound like a caring father and that's all that counts

Very good advice.

 

[yugowego]

I'll go against the grain and say start her off with a bolt action .22. She will learn good technique, trigger control, and the basic fundamentals of shooting on that platform. Once the groundwork is set you can get her into the more "fun" guns like the 15-22. Nothing wrong with letting he shoot yours at the range though. Would you get your sixteen year old a new BMW to learn to drive on? Just my $.02. Either way, you sound like a caring father and that's all that counts

+1... start her out with a lil pink Crickett... My 6yr old loves hers

 

[Majorlk]

My 8-year old grandson was in love with his Cricket until I let him shoot my 15-22. Guess what's in the vault for him for Christmas?

 

[Kayback]

Would you get your sixteen year old a new BMW to learn to drive on?

No, but I also would not buy her a 1919 Buick.

Honestly, what part of trigger control, sight picture and basic shooting techniques can't be taught on a semi auto?

Just because it is a semi doesn't mean you have to fill the magazine and dump it. And IMHO you bet more consistent shot to shot stability from a rifle that doesn't require you to break your grip to feed the next round.

A 15/22 is not like a BMW. A 15/22 is like an entry level Kia, with some things like power steering, ABS and reverse assist. A La Rue in 6.8 with a PEQ-15, Aimpoint, 3x flip to side magnifier, Harris bipod, and Gelisse trigger and a SureFire 60 round magazine (Do they make those for 6.8?) is a BMW.

And honestly? I WOULD let my 16 year old drive the car with power steering, ABS and reverse assist. Just because you are learning doesn't mean you should learn on something that makes it HARDER.

Hell I learnt to drive an automatic Audi 500SE. (Audi 100 for you USA types.) I didn't need traction control, clutch control or biceps like a gorilla to get it to move. 2.2L 5 cylinder fuel injected car was much easier to learn than the 1400 I eventually got. Once I was comfortable with road position and moving in traffic then we added changing gears and stuff.

Get them the 15/22

 

[Majorlk]

I'm with you, Kayback. I like your analogy.

FWIW, my grandson prefers the short, 10-round magazines to the 25-rounders. But he doesn't turn them down, either.

 

[CrossRifles2008]

Thanks for the responses guys. Looked at the 15-22 at Dick's its about as small as cricket collapsed. Its was the model with the flash suppressor. $499. It seems a bit high what do you think?

 

[Majorlk]

Thanks for the responses guys. Looked at the 15-22 at Dick's its about as small as cricket collapsed. Its was the model with the flash suppressor. $499. It seems a bit high what do you think?

Yea, that's a little high. Dick's isn't known for good deals.

 

[pmbspyder]

No, but I also would not buy her a 1919 Buick.

Honestly, what part of trigger control, sight picture and basic shooting techniques can't be taught on a semi auto?

Just because it is a semi doesn't mean you have to fill the magazine and dump it. And IMHO you bet more consistent shot to shot stability from a rifle that doesn't require you to break your grip to feed the next round.

A 15/22 is not like a BMW. A 15/22 is like an entry level Kia, with some things like power steering, ABS and reverse assist. A La Rue in 6.8 with a PEQ-15, Aimpoint, 3x flip to side magnifier, Harris bipod, and Gelisse trigger and a SureFire 60 round magazine (Do they make those for 6.8?) is a BMW.

And honestly? I WOULD let my 16 year old drive the car with power steering, ABS and reverse assist. Just because you are learning doesn't mean you should learn on something that makes it HARDER.

Hell I learnt to drive an automatic Audi 500SE. (Audi 100 for you USA types.) I didn't need traction control, clutch control or biceps like a gorilla to get it to move. 2.2L 5 cylinder fuel injected car was much easier to learn than the 1400 I eventually got. Once I was comfortable with road position and moving in traffic then we added changing gears and stuff.

Get them the 15/22

lol easy man, easy. so you didn't like the car analogy, I get it. I guess I'm a bit more old school when it comes to learning the ropes of gun shooting and ownership. Hell, I had several years with a benjamin pump before I even held my first .22. Everyone is different, I was just giving my opinion on how to educate and school young children with regards to firearms. YMMV

 

[w0ady]

keep an eye on www.slicksguns.com. im always seeing good deals on 15-22s.

 

[Kayback]

firearms. YMMV

And a firearm is a firearm is a firearm. If they are chambered in a caliber children can tame, then honestly what is the difference?

People ALWAYS say "get a .22 bolt action" as a first gun, and I honestly think it is less than stellar advice.

Sure back in the day. Sure when all that was available was a 10/22. But just because that's how YOU learnt it doesn't mean it is the be all and end all.

The one advantage I can see over a semi is the bolt only goes BANG once. But if you are shooting off a rest or a bipod, they aren't going to pick the gun up and wave it around. And like I said, for the first couple you can stick only one round in at a time.

 

[pmbspyder]

why do you think people "ALWAYS" say it. It's for the same reason that most recommend beginners in the handgun arena get themselves a revolver first. It's a time tested methodology of starting slow, learning the basics, and graduating to different, more complex platforms. Listen, I'm not grandpa joe, I didn't grow up in the '50s, and when I learned to shoot as a kid there were other options out there besides a 10/22. There is nothing saying that a kid can't learn how to shoot and have a first gun be an AR style rifle. It's just not common practice. Just because you can collapse a stock DOESN'T make it a suitable size for a child to LEARN on(a 7 yr old at that). Have you ever seen an AR style rifle chambered in .22 scaled down for a child like you see with the bolt guns? No. If you trained your kids with the 15-22 and that was your introduction then great, I'm not taking anything away from you.

Traditionally speaking, there is a progression from "simpler" firearms to the more advanced kinds of firearms, rifles and pistols included. I think you need to take your foot off the accelerator and relax a bit dude. I'm not spouting gospel here, just an opinion, and it seems to have struck a nerve with you. I'll end my involvement with this response as this thread was originally asking a question about opinions on beginners and rifles but you've made it a soapbox for your arguments against what people "ALWAYS" say. Whatever the OP ends up with I'm sure his daughter will enjoy it

 

[Majorlk]

pmbspyder:

With all due respect, you are being just as pedantic in your view as Kayback is in his.

I'm one of those guys who DOES go back to the 60s with his shooting. I agree completely with starting handgun shooters with revolvers. My children and grandchildren all started at ages 6-8 with a S&W M34. Great beginner's firearm. The ones who have continued with shooting have graduated to my MarkII, High Standard Match and Ruger SR22, but they still enjoy the M34.

As for rifles, in teaching my family and others, I have seen nothing to indicate that one action is superior to the other in teaching firearms handling and safety. I've used both bolt actions and semi-autos. It's ALL dependent upon the teacher's insistence that the student follow the rules.

I bought the youngest (8 years old) a Cricket last fall because it was the only thing that fit him. It didn't take long for him to become more proficient with my 15-22 than the Cricket, even with the stock pinned full length. He doesn't know it, but he's getting his own 15-22 for Christmas, with the stock shortened and re-pinned to fit him.

ANY firearm can be a good or bad teaching tool. As I said, It's ALL dependent upon the teacher!

 

[pmbspyder]

well said. wasn't trying to be argumentative, I see my post could have come off as a bit forceful and harsh. I have no dog in the fight, I just hope whatever the OP's daughter gets she loves it!

 

[Majorlk]

With no visual feedback, it's often difficult to gauge feelings and emotions in an Internet forum.

I'm betting the young lady will be thrilled with whatever her dad gets her.