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All good answers. There's a lot to be said for the single-shot bolt action like a Cricket. I went with the 10/22 just because I already had it. Brownells has a youth sized stock for it for about $90 - truly youth size, not just cut down. As they grew I just swapped stocks and they were able to keep shooting a gun they knew well and were comfortable with.

I made it a single shot by only giving them one bullet until they demonstrated a consistent focus on safety and shooting with accuracy, then 3 or 4 bullets, working up to a full mag. They really hate loading 1 at a time so they worked pretty durn hard at earning the privilege of a full mag...and they know they could lose that privilege with a casual attitude toward safety or accuracy.

Exactly

WildBill wrote: Sat Jun 13, 2020 10:58 pm

AF-Odin wrote: Sat Jun 13, 2020 9:19 pm Started 3 of my Grandkids with the Crickett. Nice little rifle. I believe in learning iron sights before optics. Start with the basics and then build up from there.

You don't teach your kids to drive in an Indy Car.

Crickets were the way I went with my seven grand kids. The size, simplicity for them are just right and the peep sight allows for better target acquisition/alignment than buckhorn type sights. I have a couple of Marlin Model 15Y's (looking for more) for when they grow into them and I have full size vintage Marlin repeating bolt actions to graduate into. Semi-autos and pumps are a little for much a 5-8 year old beginner in my opinion and most if not all are all full size.

I've been enjoying reading your recommendations. You've given me a lot to think about and rifles to research. Thanks a lot.

If there are more thoughts on the matter, please keep them coming.

My first 22 was a marlin model 80 bolt action magazine fed. My grandson's mother (my daughter)started him with a cricket . I like the bolt action single or mag fed as a starting rifle vs semi-auto. Iron sights are good start and the bolt action slows down the shooting process to allow deliberate actions.