Air Gun Home :: View topic - Need help choosing light weight rifle for my 9 yr old.

Chuck38 · New Member

First time poster here. I am an avid hunter/shooter and already have a rws/diana model 36 that I have had for about 15 years. The problem is these well made rifles are way to heavy for my son. He went deer hunting for the first time this year and got a nice 8 point whitetail with my 6.5 x 55 Swedish. He is wanting a pellet gun to shoot around the house, hunting birds,rats and occasional bunny. He has outgrown his daisy bb gun and wants something with alot more power. I tried taking off my scope on the rws but it is still too heavy for him. I was looking at 2 rifles. The airmaster 77 and the daisy 22sg. I would like to keep the price under $150.00. Both of these guns seem like a compromise compared to the Rws but I can't seem to find anything that is better and also light weight. I have weighed a single shot 410 that he can shoot and it is about 4.5 lbs. Is there anything that you guys can recommend?

Jaxom · Senior Member

I'm no uber expert on these things, but just going by what you've said about weigth and budget, I'd have to suggest a crosman 2250B. It comes with a synthetic stock which well greatly reduce the weight for your son. You can purchase it via online, local sporting good store or even order it direct from Crosman. If you chose the last option, you may want to concider ordering a custom rifle for your son as well.

If you are interested in personalizing an air gun for your son, this series of pistol and rifles has all sorts of aftermarket accesories that can easily be installed. Take a web walk over to Airgun Artisians, and you'll see what I mean!

http://airgunartisans.com/

Good luck! And good hunting!!

Jax

broommaster2000 · Moderator

Maybe the Beeman R7? There's also the HW25. Not sure if they're imported by Beeman.

Amigo · Veteran Member

Hey Chuck, as previously suggested, a Crosman 2250 might be just what the boy needs. Since a 2250 is not a springer, you don't have to worry about his ability to cock it either.

BTW, welcome to the forum Exclamation

Best regards,

Amigo

Chuck38 · New Member

Thanks for the quick replies,but I was wanting to try to stay away from co2 type rifles. I am looking for a pump up or spring loaded rifle that would be easy to pump or cock and also light weight.

Legendpilot · Member

What about this one?

http://www.pyramydair.com/p/benjamin-392-pump-air-rifle.shtml

Only 5 1/2 lbs., a little over 3' and more than capable of taking small game. Also, it's a mere $10 over budget.

and..Welcome to the forum!

Chuck38 · New Member

I like that benjamin alot, but I still think it is a little heavy for him. I grew up with a sheridan blue streak and my cousin had this rifle. Both of them were very good first rifles.But I didn't get it until I was about 12 yrs old. My son even though he is tall for his age just doesn't have the strength yet. As for the quality of the benjamin this is exactly what I am looking for, just a little lighter.

rsterne · Moderator

You might consider a Crosman 2289.... they are under 4 lbs.... multi-pump pneumatic.... .22 cal....

Bob

Slavia · Moderator

Chuck38 - welcome to the forum!

I would stay away from pumpers. Your son at that age is just going to get frustrated with all the pumping and little shooting.

Poking around on the internet I found the RWS Diana Schutze - .177, 580 FPS, 19 Lbs. cocking effort, 5.7 Lbs. weight, small stock, $190.00 U.S. Never shot one, but it looks interesting.

My son (now a HS senior) has had a Gamo Young Hunter since he was 10. 640 FPS, fairly accurate, 28 Lbs. cocking effort, weight 5.3 Lbs.. We paid about $100.00 for it back then. Gamo also makes the Recon, which is cheaper and slower, but looks cool. Here comes the chorus of jeers about buying Gamo products (because of their marketing ethics). The gun itself isn't bad, so make up your own mind.

Another one to consider is the Daisy 953. 6.4 Lbs., 560 FPS, about $130.00 U.S. The 853 is a mainstay of youth programs all over North America (two live at my house). The 953 has the same action, minus the Lothar Walther barrel. The 853 is a little expensive, and the 953 is priced accordingly less because of the barrel. This one is a single stroke pneumatic, so no recoil like a spring gun.

All these suggestions are low power, but sufficient for birds, rats, and smaller bunnies. And of course, basement target shooting.

Chuck38 · New Member

Thanks everyone for your input. Slavia I think I will take your advise on a single cock rifle. The Rws Diana Schutze looks good but is a little more than I wanted to spend. The Recon looks perfect except that I read the scope is not very good and it doesn't have iron sights. I wanted him to start with iron sights and maybe later advance to a scope. The daisy 953 looks to be a bit heavy for him. I also found a Hammerli Quick for less than $100 but I can't find out too much info. about this particular rifle.Their seems to be a void in the market for youth models. Any other suggestions would be welcomed. Thanks

kanyon · Silver Status Member

look at a "Gamo Delta Fox" small easy to cock
and have a pistol grip style stock.
And are about $90 us

dummyracer36 · Senior Member

this might fit the bill.....

http://www.pyramydair.com/p/crosman-raven-youth-air-rifle.shtml

Slavia · Moderator

DerekVinyard · Member

I think all the ladies shoot Daisy's and Gamos...

sniper · Silver Status Member

being raised with springers i go with broom on the r-7. maybe pricey but worth the coin.