1st rifle for 7yo daughter?

What would y'all get? I was looking into the Crickett 22 but if there is something else to start them out on would love to hear some opinions.

Friends of mine that have started their kiddos on a Cricket have been pleased. The short length of pull works well for them.

I think the cricket would be fine. There's also the youth model Henry lever action, and their version of the cricket.

Buddy has a Savage Rascal for his 6yo. Says he likes it a lot. Not sure of the differences between it and the Cricket. I'm sure either would be fine.

I'd try a 10/22. They are pretty small framed. I never had problems shooting one as a little kid.

A 10/22 is typically too big and too heavy for a child under the age of 10 or so.

I started my son with a Crickett, but today I would probably go with a Savage Rascal. I like the way the bolt on the Rascal works over the plunger system on the Crickett. Easier for a young child to manipulate, although your daughter probably wouldn't have an issue with either one.

Yeah my 6yo daughter tried to shoulder a pink 10/22 last time we were at SWFA and it was way, way too big for her. I agree that 10 years old sounds about right for when it would fit them correctly.

imo, semi is not for the first time youngster

Check some of the older Savage or Remington bolt action 22's. My girls did not shoot the cricket or the cheap break over 223 I bought very well at all. And I finally noticed that they straining on the trigger. Those little guns have a stiff trigger. My kids were using 2 fingers on the trigger and jerking.

Savage Rascal has an accutrigger on it.

Yes it does... although the trigger in my son's Crickett isn't bad... but isn't as good as an accutrigger.

I've got an air rifle I want to sell......but I'm assuming you want something for her to learn bolt operation, etc. on instead of just shooting basics/backyard plinking?

Only .22s I have experience with are 10/22s and Marlin 60..the latter may be a bit big but is darn accurate. The former has a LOT of cycling issues, but size wise might be the right fit (I had 5 year olds using it last time I went). Both are autoloaders though, unfortunately, and it seems that is not what you're looking for. Good luck

Five year olds using a 10/22? When you say using, do you really mean that the 10/22 was propped up on sandbags at a bench and they pulled the trigger? I have not seen a single 5 yr old that the LOP on the 10/22 was correct for, or that could support the firearm and shoot from field positions.

No he was shooting it without a rest. Admittedly, he is a tall kid. The others were 5-8, all his size or smaller.

Cricket should be good since it is light and has a short length of pull, however I went with the Ruger American Rimfire for my then 8yr old; there is a compact model but I got the standard one, it comes with 2 standard stock modules (13.75 LOP) for iron sights and for scope, but you can find the compact stock modules (12.5 LOP) cheaply and the gun will grow with her; mine is 11 now and still uses the gun, heck, even I have a great time with it. I agree that a bolt action is better to teach the kids, but that's just IMHO.

I started my daughter on BB gun (red rider of course), then .22, now a 22-250. Process of shooting stays the same. She's doing great.

thanks for the input guys. Will check into some of the other ones.

I would suggest any rifle she can easily handle herself, and this includes carrying, shouldering, and aiming it without ANY assistance from you. Otherwise, you might just as well shoot it for her. If she's too young and small to do that, wait until she's old enough to know she has accomplished something, rather than you accomplishing it for her. And you will feel better about her doing it by herself too.

Good luck!

Was he hitting what he was shooting at? I've coached many children through Scouts, and I have never seen a 5 year old that could handle a 10/22... most of the young ones struggle with the BB guns.

And I, like others, would not recommend a semi-auto for a first firearm.