So my daughters, 12 and 10, are asking for a gun. Well, I've got a 30-30 and a shotgun, but have no experience with .22s. I'm looking for suggestions for a good .22 for kids. Something that is simple and easy to use. I haven't decided single shot or clip yet so am open there. Something tapped for a scope would be good, although I won't put one on it until they learn to shoot open sights. And price, well I'm not saying I wanna gun for nothing, but the less I have to spend the better, I'm working on my wife to let me get a muzzleloader too.

my grandson (10yrs young) has a cricket, its a neat little gun around 100 bucks, the sights are a little chessy[:'(], i also bought him a birchwood casey resetable target, and it is neat. i like a 10/22 ruger and its only 60 something bucks more but maybe a little big for a youngster.

good luck, and let us know what you end up with

I would get a bold action. I started on a 10/22 and developed some bad habits cause I knew i had 8 more on the way.

I have a 7 and 11 year old pair of boys. . . .We started gun safety with BB Guns first, bought a bolt action single shot, one in one shot no mistakes. We have now moved up to another single shot but a .22, Russi, Rossi ? They run just over $100 and come in a number of calibers and can include a 2 barrel offering, I got the .22 and 20Ga one. Break open like a shot gun, so once again no supprises, one shell in one shot open and do it again.

As a bonus, I use .22 shorts in it to shoot Armadillos in my yard at night. Little laser pointer above the sights works out pretty good.

I started on a H&R single shot bolt action. it has a peep sight. i wouldnt want any other open sight. My farthest shot to date with it is a gopher at 125yards standing. lucky shot i must say but its one hell of a straight shooter. with a single shot you learn to take your time and get you aim right IMHO.

I have a uger 10/22 that my grandfather gave me.
I think it would be great for kids. it has an 18" barrel.
and it just over 6 lbs. short reach like 12-14 in I think not too sure on it but is
a very small reach for an average man.
I have a simmons 3-10x44 adj. scope and can hit dimes at fifty yards. every time with good ammo.

great gun for $90 tax and registration. and can be found and many pawn shops.

very good point i would also suggest a single shot or a bolt gun.

If you are going to be shooting in the yard at paper targets, think about a nice Gammo pellet gun for the girls. Make sure that they can cock it and load it. The ammo is cheaper than dirt and they are still deadly on targets and ground squirels. I like the ones that come with a scope as a package.

Pellet guns arn't loud and don't kick. The ammo isn't volitile (not like .22 shells are that dangerous but you never know) and, with the proper cardboard backstop and target, can be used inside if you have the room.

On the .22 I would start with the Ruger 10/22 youth model. It's really a life long gun. Kids can develop bad habits but I bet you will be out there shooting with them and you can control the urge to rip 10 rounds off in a blink. If you really want to control the rate of fire, get two clips and put just one round in at a time. Then eject the clip and insert the new one. No different than breaking a gun open or working a bolt.

Good to hear about some girls getting into it. Too bad they can't vote in Nov!

Isn't Savage making the "Favorite" again? I think that would be a good little rifle to start kids out with.I saw some a couple years back.Haven't looked for any lately.Just a suggestion.

Ruger Redhawk

Go with a gun for a lifetime, get a Ruger 10/22. Or the Marlin semi ain't bad. If you get crickets, or others, they do what I have seen with my nephew, they sit in the corner when they get a Ruger 10/22. Besides, they can give it to their kids later.