Left handed youth rifles?

[FreedomMom]

Anyone know if they make left handed youth rifles? looking for a little .22 for my daughter, and son eventually (he's only 2-but is also left handed). I know they could adapt, but just curious if it even exists.

[sprintcar]

I saw one at Sportsman warehouse for around $200 but can't remember who made it. Also CZ makes a lh youth bolt action but pricey at around $400.

[41M]

Savage makes an inexpensive LH .22 bolt (Mark II GL). However, it is full size, but you might be able to have the stock cut down. Also, keep in mind that eye dominance side does not necessarily match handedness. Perhaps let them handle a child's telescope and observe them to see to which eye they place the device.

[FreedomMom]

Savage makes an inexpensive LH .22 bolt (Mark II GL). However, it is full size, but you might be able to have the stock cut down. Also, keep in mind that eye dominance side does not necessarily match handedness. Perhaps let them handle a child's telescope and observe them to see to which eye they place the device.

I saw the savage LH online-thought it was bigger! dd's left handed/left eyed. She'll shoot totally left handed. My little guy is too young to really know-seems more left handed and right eyed at this point.

My bro is left handed/right eyed so he shoots rifles right handed and pistols left handed. Dad's just the opposite! shoots both right handed.

I'm probably safest to just get the a right handed youth rifle for the kids, but I figured it was worth the consideration.

I'm also hoping to find one without the dumb plunger that an adult has to manually cock. I think that'll just get in the way after they learn to handle it themselves when they get older. I'm hoping to buy 1 gun for them both to use well into their pre-teen/teenage years-as long as it fits them really.

[brianinca]

>>>>
I'm also hoping to find one without the dumb plunger that an adult has to manually cock. I think that'll just get in the way after they learn to handle it themselves when they get older. I'm hoping to buy 1 gun for them both to use well into their pre-teen/teenage years-as long as it fits them really.
>>>>

I have two boys, one is lefty. They started shooting with a Henry Mini-Bolt. While I realize the manually cocked bolt seems a hassle, it is a good safety feature in my opinion.

It slows things down and gives everyone a chance to review and observe for both safety and training purposes. A good safety, good iron sights and very easy for little kids to handle.

Both my boys have graduated to Romanian 1969 trainers, magazine fed bolt guns, without so much as a hiccup. They try to sneak time on my Ruger 10/22, but I limit that in the interest of getting them maximum quality trigger time behind iron sights and a manual bolt.

I don't know how old/big your kids are, but any kind of "regular" size stock is going to be way too much for a little kid - my boys started shooting at 5, my 8 year old can now run an M1 Carbine but that's the upper size limit for him. On the other hand, my 11 year old is within spitting distance of being able to shoot a Garand, and the Mini-Bolt is now really too small.

Depending on what/how you want them to learn, you might get a 10/22 and either shorten the stock yourself or see if there is one out there. Then you can restock it with a Hogue or something grown up as they get bigger. It's pretty easy for a lefty to run a 10/22. They also make 5 rd magazines, which keeps down the "how fast can I shoot this" impulse.

Regards,
Brian in CA

[FreedomMom]

>>>>
I'm also hoping to find one without the dumb plunger that an adult has to manually cock. I think that'll just get in the way after they learn to handle it themselves when they get older. I'm hoping to buy 1 gun for them both to use well into their pre-teen/teenage years-as long as it fits them really.
>>>>

I have two boys, one is lefty. They started shooting with a Henry Mini-Bolt. While I realize the manually cocked bolt seems a hassle, it is a good safety feature in my opinion.

It slows things down and gives everyone a chance to review and observe for both safety and training purposes. A good safety, good iron sights and very easy for little kids to handle.

Both my boys have graduated to Romanian 1969 trainers, magazine fed bolt guns, without so much as a hiccup. They try to sneak time on my Ruger 10/22, but I limit that in the interest of getting them maximum quality trigger time behind iron sights and a manual bolt.

I don't know how old/big your kids are, but any kind of "regular" size stock is going to be way too much for a little kid - my boys started shooting at 5, my 8 year old can now run an M1 Carbine but that's the upper size limit for him. On the other hand, my 11 year old is within spitting distance of being able to shoot a Garand, and the Mini-Bolt is now really too small.

Depending on what/how you want them to learn, you might get a 10/22 and either shorten the stock yourself or see if there is one out there. Then you can restock it with a Hogue or something grown up as they get bigger. It's pretty easy for a lefty to run a 10/22. They also make 5 rd magazines, which keeps down the "how fast can I shoot this" impulse.

Regards,
Brian in CA

my 6 yo DD could probably stay in a smaller youth rifle for a while, the youth rifles they had at the range for a kids event we went to were still too big for her. I was hoping to get one that they could use for a while, but I might have to get a smaller one now, and then upgrade like you did later.

Thanks for the input on the plunger-just trying to think of ways where they could grow along with the rifle, not 'outgrow' it so quickly. I do realize it's a nice safety feature, just thinking like when their your kids age and can handle it themselves, but still fit it, that it would get in the way.

I"ll keep looking! Want to sell your mini-bolt?

[tonelar]

Savage Arms 30G is a classic imho-

[toby]

A bit more $$$ but take a look at a T/C contender they are ambidextrous great shooters and you can change calibers as the kids grow?

[CSACANNONEER]

My first .22 was an Ithica lever action. +30 years later, I've learned to adapt to RH bolt guns because, they are more plentiful and, I can pick up a RH rifle and just shoot it. I'd find a lever action or a pump for your little ones to learn on.

[shrap]

Savage makes an inexpensive LH .22 bolt (Mark II GL). However, it is full size, but you might be able to have the stock cut down. Also, keep in mind that eye dominance side does not necessarily match handedness. Perhaps let them handle a child's telescope and observe them to see to which eye they place the device.

Savage also makes the Mark II GLY which is shorter. The Y stands for Youth, L for Left, G for wood stock.

[41M]

Savage also makes the Mark II GLY which is shorter. The Y stands for Youth, L for Left, G for wood stock.

Thanks for the decoding of the Savage codes. That GLY just might be the ticket, too bad Savage doesn't use the peep sight on it like they use on the Cub model.

[Johnny.B.Good]

I don't know of a youth-sized rifle designed specifically for left-handed shooters. When I was a little boy my father gave me a single-shot "Chipmunk" .22LR rifle with a real walnut stock and a high-quality scope. It has the manual "plunger" cocking device referred to above, making it an extremely safe platform for teaching. I don't recall having to have my father pull it back for me...takes two seconds but forces you to slow down just enough and think about your target/background before doing so. I used to walk around with it in the mountains and terrorize ground squirrels with my father, so he would let me put a round in the chamber but not pull back the plunger until absolutely ready to fire. Extremely accurate and well made little rifle that still lives in my father's safe until I have children of my own. I think I used it happily until I was old enough for a little six-shooter.

http://www.chipmunkrifles.com/index.php?cPath=26&osCsid=46jdgm1dk7mp8i4omlr81449o7

[shrap]

Thanks for the decoding of the Savage codes. That GLY just might be the ticket, too bad Savage doesn't use the peep sight on it like they use on the Cub model.

Oh neat, I didn't even realize the Cub had peep sights. I love peep/aperture sights.

The Mark II FVT has a set of serious peep sights, but apparently the sights cost $200 so it just about doubles the cost of the rifle.