5 of the Best Rifles for Kids

Are you searching for a good rifle that you can give to your child? Note that introducing your child to a rifle or gun at a young age has plenty of benefits. One is that it allows him to learn some of the practices related to gun safety while he is still young. It will also teach him the basics of caring for his own gun, which is helpful in cultivating responsibility.

Also, a lot of kids take pride when their parents or guardians trust them with an actual gun, instead of toy and Nerf guns. Aside from that, your child will be able to enjoy activities outdoors, like varmint hunting and target practice, instead of staring at screens or using their gadgets most hours of the day.

For safety and functionality purposes, it helps to look for the best survival rifle on the market right now before starting to shop. The following are just some of the most reliable rifles that your child will surely enjoy.


Savage Axis II XP Youth Rifle

Savage Axis II XP, Bolt Action, .243 Winchester

One of the ideal rifles for kids is the Savage Axis II. It works perfectly for young shooters for a number of reasons. It comes in various plastic stock colors, allowing you to select one that suits your preferences the most. As a reliable single-shot .22 rifle, it has a peep sight, which you can easily adjust. It is tapped and drilled so you can easily mount the scope.

Another advantage of this rifle is its lightweight built. With that, your child will surely not have a hard time using and carrying it. It also boasts of its well-trimmed proportions. It is compact, allowing it to fit the hands of young shooters comfortably. Even if it is compact and lightweight, it still assures users of its high level of accuracy.

Remington Centerfire Compact Youth Rifle

Remington® Centerfire Youth/Compact Rifle

You can also go for the Remington Centerfire Compact Youth Rifle, which is built to work for small-statured and young deer hunters. One advantage of this rifle is that it boasts a mild recoil, giving young shooters the chance to improve their marksmanship skills.

It is good for kids because of its user-friendly build. Aside from being easy to maneuver, your child will also surely fall in love with its smooth action. It is compact, too, promoting ease in carrying. It comes range-ready with its bore-sighted and pre-mounted scope. Furthermore, it has a detachable 4-round magazine and matte black stock.

Gamo Silent Cat Air Rifle

Gamo Silent Cat air rifle

If you are looking for a dependable rifle that is kid-friendly while working as a good SHTF battle rifle then you can never go wrong with Gamo Silent Cat Air Rifle. It falls under the category of a single-cocking, break-barrel rifle, which does not need to use CO2. Expect this rifle to deliver incredible accuracy with its rifled barrel.

It also boasts of its pellet velocity, which ranges from 1,000-1,200 FPS. This will totally depend on what kind of pellets you decide to use. Another thing that makes this rifle amazing is its rear and front sights. Alternatively, you are allowed to use the scope, which is included in the purchase. It works well as a reliable second gun for those who are around 8 to 12 years old.

Henry Mini-Bolt .22 Long Rifle

Henry Youth Mini .22 Bolt-Action Rifle

You can also choose the Henry Mini-Bolt .22 Long Rifle if you are in search of a bolt-action and single-shot rifle. It is built in a size, which makes it suitable for kids who are around six to ten years old. It is reliable and safe while also being proportioned to work well for shooters with small frames.

This rifle is also impressive as it features front and rear sights that assure users of clean and simple sight pictures. It has a barrel made of stainless steel and a bolt handle paired with a sturdy single-piece synthetic stock. Because of this rifle’s single-shot action and safety features and mechanisms, you can expect it to help new shooters, especially kids to focus more on aimed and deliberate firing.

Cricket .22 LR Rifle

KSA Youth Crickett Precision Rifle

Another child-friendly rifle is the Cricket .22 LR Rifle. It is a fantastic choice for kids who are still learning to shoot. One nice feature of this rifle is the key lock as it makes it possible for it to be completely unusable by locking it up. This makes it safe to use since it will prevent your child from using it on a whim.

Just make sure that you can easily access the keys, so you can still open it up in case you press the lock accidentally. It weighs only around 3 pounds, allowing those with smaller frames to carry and use it with ease. It has a neat yet fully functional look while also being cost-effective.

How to Know Which Rifle is Perfect for Your Child

Now that you have some ideas on the best rifles that are perfect for kids, it is advisable to learn how you can make your choice. There is a higher chance for you to give the safest and most dependable rifle for your kid if you consider these factors:

  • Size – Make sure that the rifle is not too heavy or big. In such a case, it helps to get your child involved during the selection process. Make sure that the rifle you have chosen fits his frame and arm length correctly. This plays a huge role in his comfort and ability to use the rifle with ease.
  • Trigger – It is also advisable to consider the pull weight of the rifle’s trigger. A wise tip is to choose one with a trigger, which has around half the rifle’s actual pull weight. Consider your child’s size and frame when scrutinizing the trigger, too.

Keep in mind that some kid rifles feature gritty and heavy triggers that might only frustrate your child. Stay away from such rifles as much as possible. Go for a crisp one, which boasts of a pull weight that ranges from light to moderate. This can lessen the challenges involved when they are still trying to learn how to shoot.

  • Personality – Choose a rifle, which suits the personality and preferences of your child. It should be compatible with his/her personality so he/she will feel comfortable and satisfied using it.

Parting Shots…

Before shopping for a rifle for your child, make sure that you are willing to help him hone some important skills relevant to using it. One is how to respond appropriately to the rifle’s presence based on his age. You should also be able to teach him situational awareness.

Furthermore, teach him the basics of responsibly handling a rifle without putting others in danger as well as shooting with competence and accuracy. That way, he can put your choice out of the best rifles for kids to great use.


By

Levi Frenchak has years of firearms experience between sporting and responsible concealed carry applications. Levi is a member of multiple pro-second amendment organizations including USCCA, NRA, and just as importantly, his local range. Levi is continuing a legacy of support for our rights by working with his family to increase firearms education and awareness as the lead editor of GunBacker.

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