Looking for opinions on first .22 rifle for son (lefty!)

[jemrey81]

Hey all, I have been reading all of the threads that came up in my search for youth size rifles but I only came across one that is lefty - the Savage MKII GLY. He is wanting a bolt action that is either mag or tube fed.

I need some input. My son is 9 and will be turning 10 in a couple of months. I take him out with me and let him shoot my M&P 15-22 and my XD9, and he brings his bb gun rifle (he just got it this last X-mas). He is actually a really good shot in my opinion.... and I think he's ready for his own .22.

When I took him out with his bb gun for the first time I realized that his shot was off and saw that he was trying to shoot right handed but left eye. I had him switch to left handed and left eye - it took him about half an hour, but he is soooo much more accurate that way... and now that he knows that, that's how he automatically gets into position.

I too am right handed and left eye dominant, but I didn't know that as a kid so I adapted to shooting with my right eye for rifles (I close my left) and I shoot handguns with my left eye.... never thought about it before, but I realize that it's weird now.

But anyways, back to my son. I think he would really appreciate a rifle that is set up for a lefty, but since he's right handed, did I do the wrong thing in having him switch to left handed? Should he have learned to switch his eye instead of his hand? Should he learn to adapt to right handed rifles since that's what is typically available?


Last of all, opinions on youth rifles that are lefty (if you recommend that)?


Sorry for the long post.... just a lot of questions

thanks

[coy80176]

If he shoots better lefty, lefty it shall be!

Right handed and left eye dominant here too...when I shoot rifles, I go south paw as well.

The Savage is a solid choice. I have a 40 year old savage bolt action .22 and it does it's part very well....still groups on a dime at 50 yards, and groups the size of a baseball at 100 yards, and that's with the bulk ammo boxes.

My boy's coming up on 8 years old...still on bb gun range time with him....can't wait till he's ready to shoulder a .22!

Have fun with whatever you choose, cheers!

[jemrey81]

Right handed and left eye dominant here too...when I shoot rifles, I go south paw as well.

The Savage is a solid choice. I have a 40 year old savage bolt action .22 and it does it's part very well....still groups on a dime at 50 yards, and groups the size of a baseball at 100 yards, and that's with the bulk ammo boxes.

My boy's coming up on 8 years old...still on bb gun range time with him....can't wait till he's ready to shoulder a .22!

Have fun with whatever you choose, cheers!

Thanks for sharing your experience and opinion! As a lefty, do you search out lefty rifles or do you not care about that? I am mostly concerned about the hot shells popping out towards him and if there was ever some type of cartridge failure or something, the explosion would be towards him too.... you know the "little things" Man, kids with guns.... such a "love/hate" type of thing

[MyOdessa]

Look at Thompson Center Contender with 16" or longer .22 match barrel, very accurate and ambidextrous.

[coy80176]

shooting left handed with right handed rifles

I've always shot right handed rifles...never really "needed" a left handed rifle....definately have to be religious with keeping the eye protection on...but that should be the case no matter what..."Safety first." and all that comes with it. Otherwise, a pro is that you see what's going on if there is a problem...to me it's easier than flippin it over to look into the breech.

For deciding between magazine or tube options, the tube is good as you get 10+ in there...even more if you shoot .22 shorts... I also have a lever action tube fed .22 as well...lots of cowboy shootin fun with that one....so, there's another option for you to consider.

I would recomend a first rifle to be bolt or lever action, so that the kid learns the importance of "one shot at a time" ritual. No possibility of accidental second shots.....rather than just spraying with a semi-auto....but that'll be fun too when the time comes.

[Trapper]

Check out the CZ452 and 455 left hadned rifles. Top quality at a fair price.

http://www.cz-usa.com/products/view/cz-452-american/

[verb1]

I'm right handed and left eye dominant, so several months ago I switched to shooting lefty. I've had a few cases bounce off my head, but with eye protection it was no big deal. I wouldn't worry about it, especially with a .22. Does he have a problem shooting lefty with your 15-22 (which I also own and shoot a lot)?

[IPSICK]

I am left-handed and left eye dominant and I've begun to train myself to shoot right-handed with my right eye. Too many platforms and shooting sports favor right hand right eye so I'm training to switch. I would at the very least keep his handedness while shooting rifles and train him to use his right eye. When he is ready for handuns he can stick with these preferences or cant the gun to his dominant eye while shooting right-handed. Btw, I believe either or both former world pistol champions Rob Leatham and Brian Enos are cross-eye dominant. They shoot righthanded.

[jemrey81]

Look at Thompson Center Contender with 16" or longer .22 match barrel, very accurate and ambidextrous.

Thanks, I'll check it out!

I've always shot right handed rifles...never really "needed" a left handed rifle....definately have to be religious with keeping the eye protection on...but that should be the case no matter what..."Safety first." and all that comes with it. Otherwise, a pro is that you see what's going on if there is a problem...to me it's easier than flippin it over to look into the breech.

For deciding between magazine or tube options, the tube is good as you get 10+ in there...even more if you shoot .22 shorts... I also have a lever action tube fed .22 as well...lots of cowboy shootin fun with that one....so, there's another option for you to consider.

I would recomend a first rifle to be bolt or lever action, so that the kid learns the importance of "one shot at a time" ritual. No possibility of accidental second shots.....rather than just spraying with a semi-auto....but that'll be fun too when the time comes.

Eyes and ears.... no question! Yeah, he's more interested in bolt action... and he can always dump rounds from my 15-22 He doesn't care if it's mag or tube.... I think the 10+ in a tube is good, but we're flexible. I want a lever action!

Check out the CZ452 and 455 left hadned rifles. Top quality at a fair price.
http://www.cz-usa.com/products/view/cz-452-american/

Those look nice! Out of my price range though

I'm right handed and left eye dominant, so several months ago I switched to shooting lefty. I've had a few cases bounce off my head, but with eye protection it was no big deal. I wouldn't worry about it, especially with a .22. Does he have a problem shooting lefty with your 15-22 (which I also own and shoot a lot)?

No issues with the 15-22... He's put 300-400 rounds down range without issue. I also am not sure if while shooting lefty, is it easier to use a lefty bolt action? or just get used to right handed set-ups?

Maybe I am putting too much thought into it like usual.... he'll be stoked no matter what

[jemrey81]

I am left-handed and left eye dominant and I've begun to train myself to shoot right-handed with my right eye. Too many platforms and shooting sports favor right hand right eye so I'm training to switch. I would at the very least keep his handedness while shooting rifles and train him to use his right eye. When he is ready for handuns he can stick with these preferences or cant the gun to his dominant eye while shooting right-handed. Btw, I believe either or both former world pistol champions Rob Leatham and Brian Enos are cross-eye dominant. They shoot righthanded.

Thanks for the input! He has been shooting my XD9 for a while now, he shoots right handed and left eye with that... same as me.

I would personally love to take him into a shop and have him test out a lefty rifle and righty rifle (both bolt action) and see what he prefers.... but finding a shop with both in youth size won't happen! Maybe I'll see if anyone has a lefty and righty full-size that he can at least lay prone with and manipulate the actions.

[Izzy43]

Might want to look at a Henry H001Y, youth model. Should be no issues with ejection of shell cases and the bolt lock of tight when cycled so no issues with out of battery firing like happens with a semi-auto at times (rare but does happen).

http://www.google.com/imgres?q=henry+h001y&hl=en&sa=X&qscrl=1&nord=1&rlz=1T4GGLL_enUS335US335&biw=1600&bih=711&tbm=isch&prmd=imvns&tbnid=WxRiZcH36-oSbM:&imgrefurl=http://www.xdtalk.com/forums/non-xd-handguns/77583-henry-lever-action-22lr-h001t.html&docid=P01f5YYXznopxM&imgurl=http://www.henryrepeating.com/images/rifles/h001y_leveryouth_lg.jpg&w=780&h=216&ei=aZrTT8HIJua22gXlu-GjDw&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=985&vpy=371&dur=4167&hovh=118&hovw=427&tx=239&ty=65&sig=100563152806858824019&page=1&tbnh=62&tbnw=223&start=0&ndsp=18&ved=1t:429,r:10,s:0,i:105

[sholling]

I won't go into righty vs lefty but I'd take a look at a CZ452 if you decide on a left hand rifle. Amazingly accurate rifles! If he's 9 then I'd get him the single shot adapter to teach him to make his shots count before giving him the magazine.

CZ452 Lux (left hand) $423 shipped - Optimized for iron sights.
CZ452 American (left hand) $428 shipped - Designed to be used with a scope.

[dangerranger]

Browning SA 22 makes a great ambidextrous semi auto. It ejects straight down. Its light weight. and they are just fun guns. Norinco also made a knock off that was a really good copy. If he likes lever guns Henry makes a great one also. DR

[Bastard]

If you consider the CZ to be out of your price range than I believe that the savage is a sold bet with a lower price tag, for a bolt

[bombadillo]

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/24839/Savage+MKIIGL+22LR+AT+Lefthand+WOOD

$185 shipped!!!!!!!

You can't beat that for the price.