Kids first gun. .223? 20gauge? or?

[stingray4540]

Well, my daughter's only a couple months old, but I'm already thinking about her first gun. Mostly because I'd like to give it to her before 2014... Maybe it'll be her first birthday gift, but she won't likely "get" it until she's 10 or so.

So, I'd like to here your thoughts on what you think would be the best first gun for a child.
What was your first gun? Why do you love it, or what do you wish you got?
What did you give your kids?

My thoughts so far:

* Mini 14 5.56 - Common caliber, good plinker, light recoil, is capable of taking most small to medium game or larger in a pinch, handy for home/estate defense. Teaches marksmanship. However, if she gets into guns, I could always help her build an AR when she's older, which would probably put the mini in the back of the safe.

* Single shot 20 gauge - Common caliber, lighter kick than a 12, fun to shoot clays, can take any game from bird shot to rifled slugs. Doesn't teach marksmanship.

So, here's the deal. I don't hunt. I'd like to, but don't have the time to get into it on my own(no friends that are active hunters) Also, if I got into hunting, I would probably spend most of my time trad. archery hunting. So, unless my kid(s) get into hunting with friends, or on there own, it's not likely going to be a huge influence on caliber. Most likely need to hunt is if the world comes to an end and they move to the mountains to live off the land, and all they have is that ____ dear old dad gave her.

My first gun was a 10/22 my dad got me when I was 10. Don't get me wrong, I love it, but I didn't really respect it as a kid, and I never got much use out of it other than killing paper. Even when I lived in Ohio, I hunted rabbits and squirrels with my single shot 12. Even now, I take it shooting, because it's cheap, or for other people who are recoil shy. It's ok indoors, but 100 yards on the outdoor range was disappointing as a kid, accuracy wise. Also, FTE on certain ammo was/is annoying.

I kind of want something she will get use out of her whole life. Even if she gets into guns and buys a bunch of her own, I want something she will still take out and enjoy using. Or, if she never gets into guns, but someday needs a good all around firearm, she's taken care of. Also, I'm going for traditional. You know, wood stocks and bluing/parkerizing. No plastic or SS/silver/etc.

So, what say you all? Thoughts? I also kicked around the idea of a 30/30 lever, but I think that's more something she could pick up if she got into shooting/hunting.

Also, what are you're thoughts about having a gun sit for 10 years?

[the86d]

A 20" w/ an A2-style stock AR in 5.56 if pretty versatile, and has quite a bit less recoil than a 16" carbine...
(The kids these days DO LOVE the AR platform...)

I wasn't allowed to go with the adults hunting as a child, nor did us kids have our own guns to take out in the fields (suburbs with cow pastures around), but that would have been better. I didn't really go shooting until I was 16-17 at a friend's house with some property. When I signed the enlisted contract I got to shoot more than I ever had before, so I don't know about kid-gun-parent culture, but I am doing my part to make my son aware of the 2A being chipped-at slowly, and take him to the range about 1/2 the time I go, and the rest with friends (or friend's parents that haven't shot their closet-.38-revolver in 15-20 years).

I believe that a 10/22 would be a good choice, as a starter. Move on to .308 (7.62 NATO) later.

[stingray4540]

Thanks, but I'd like to keep it to non pistol grip wood stocks. Call me a traditionalist...
Also, it's less likely they'll have to worry about them being taken by big brother, or have to handicap them with bullet buttons or awkward grips.

Plus, to the ignorant, a kid with a gun is bad enough. A kid with an "assault weapon"?! OMG, Think of the kittens!

[stingray4540]

Just had a thought. What about the best of both worlds with an interchangeable barrel single shot?

Like maybe 20 gauge with a 30-30 barrel or something? Only problem is those Encore's are ugly as sin...

[bob7122]

i would like to start off by telling you that your daughter is lucky to have you. i wish my dad had bought me any type of firearm. especially a rifle and/or a shotgun to use when i grew up.


i would recommend that you buy both AND the 10/22.

she may not be exactly like you in regards to liking the 10/22. for example in my case, i love the 10/22 for many reasons and i have a rifle that will eat any type of ammo.

if you get both the 20ga and the mini-14, she would then be able to put food on the table no matter how small the game is, and it won't shred the meat like a 12 ga would.

make sure you get a nice scope, 8-10 magazines, iron sights for whatever you wish to purchase. that way when she receives them, she can tinker around and see what she likes.

[dieselpower]

TC dimension. You can slowly buy her all the combinations over the years til she reaches an age she can handle it on her own. That gives you 10 to 12 years to buy it all and fix it up.

[sd_shooter]

I bought a 3x pack of stripped lowers.

I will "give" a couple to my kids before 2014 and try to give one to my wife (with the expectation that she won't accept it, forcing me to build another AR for myself )

[taloft]

Bolt action .22 rifle. Teach her to shoot properly before giving her a semi auto. Being able to only shoot one shot at a time means she'll have to slow down and make them count. A Crickett in Pink Laminate is a hot seller for young girls and they make them in a size perfect for a 10yr. old. Plus, her brother will be less interested in shooting a pink rifle.

If she digs it you'll have made a wise investment. If not you'll not be out a bunch of money. If you go the 10/22 route, get a single shot magazine for it. Once she masters the fundamentals, give her the standard mag.

If you buy something properly fitted to her at age 10, she'll outgrow it at some point. Having a longarm properly fitted to the shooter is important for proper skill development. OTOH, there is no reason she can't hand it down to your grandchildren.



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[CSACANNONEER]

A bolt action or single shot .22lr is the best choice.

A 12g, gas operated, semi auto which FITS THE SHOOTER CORRECTLY will have less percieved recoil than a 20g that doesn't fit properly or even a 20g single shot. Also, shotgunning definately teaches marksmanship. I have no idea why you think it doesn't???? If anyone could just go out and point a shotgun at a target and always hit it, there would not be Olympic events or any other competitive shotgun sports.

Again, a .22lr single shot rifle would be my first choice. I'd throw in a stripped AR lower with it only because, they are pretty cheap.

[stingray4540]

Also, shotgunning definately teaches marksmanship. I have no idea why you think it doesn't???? If anyone could just go out and point a shotgun at a target and always hit it, there would not be Olympic events or any other competitive shotgun sports.

Ok, maybe marksmanship was the wrong word. It teaches marksmanship, but a different kind I guess. It doesn't really teach the breathing, trigger squeeze, etc. that a rifle does.

[4DMASTR]

Bolt action .22 rifle. Teach her to shoot properly before giving her a semi auto. Being able to only shoot one shot at a time means she'll have to slow down and make them count. A Crickett in Pink Laminate is a hot seller for young girls and they make them in a size perfect for a 10yr. old. Plus, her brother will be less interested in shooting a pink rifle.

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This, started my kids out on a single shot bolt action Remmington. They loved it. They now prefer the 10/22 but still have to bench it as it is too heavy to hold and shoot.

[SNCaliber]

bolt action 22, easy to shoot and fun and cheap

[a1c]

First gun I shot was my dad's side-by-side 20 gauge. Probably the best option for a kid. Easy to handle, easy to load, low yet noticeable recoil, visible target damage which gives you a healthy respect for the gun. And ammo is relatively cheap.

Once she gets good at it, upgrade her to a .22 rifle. Tons of fun. And even cheaper.

[SocomM4]

I say get her an AR15.

You said you won't give it to her till she's about 14 right? So you have 13 years to teach her how to use it before hand. Bolt action 22s suck and will always be readily available. The AR may not. And if you want to get her behind it early, get a 22 conversion.

[Jeepergeo]

Daisy BB Gun first to use from age 4/5 to maybe age 8/9, then a CZ-452 if you can find one. You might ween her in with the 22 starting about age 7. BB Guns teach technique, and a 22 LR bolt action hones that technique. It is a winning combination.

At maybe age 12, then branch out a bit.