cueball Posted March 15, 2016 Report Share Posted March 15, 2016 Humblest apologies for asking this question, air rifles are not my thing and my Google fu keeps bringing up 3yrs plus old threads on the forums. Could someone give me some guidance on picking an air rifle for my daughter to start shooting with. She comes the clay range with me and buttons for me while I shoot, but she wants to do some shooting too. She is to young in my opinion for a shotgun yet but at 8 yo I am happy for her to start with an air rifle. I am looking for a springer, with an ambidextrous stock (she's a leftie) and a short stock (she's 8) I have a top budget of £150. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saddler Posted March 15, 2016 Report Share Posted March 15, 2016 (edited) Old is sometimes best. BSA Cadet More modern? BSA Meteor Edited March 15, 2016 by saddler Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconFN Posted March 15, 2016 Report Share Posted March 15, 2016 To be honest I think you'll do best to buy an old BSA or SMK B2 and cut down the stock. They are fairly light and you won't loose a fortune when she outgrows it, but you'll still have to do the cocking for her. Alternatively if you could pick up a crosman rat catcher cheap then you wouldn't have to worry about cocking as it uses small disposable co2 bottles. The stock may still be a bit long for an 8 year old though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ttfjlc Posted March 15, 2016 Report Share Posted March 15, 2016 My eldest lad started at 6 with a hatsan striker junior .177, cost £95 new and put a £20 scope on it, he still has it and I must admit it's fun to shoot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Exudate Posted March 15, 2016 Report Share Posted March 15, 2016 (edited) Humblest apologies for asking this question, air rifles are not my thing and my Google fu keeps bringing up 3yrs plus old threads on the forums. Could someone give me some guidance on picking an air rifle for my daughter to start shooting with. She comes the clay range with me and buttons for me while I shoot, but she wants to do some shooting too. She is to young in my opinion for a shotgun yet but at 8 yo I am happy for her to start with an air rifle. I am looking for a springer, with an ambidextrous stock (she's a leftie) and a short stock (she's 8) I have a top budget of £150. My daughter started shooting a shotgun at 8 years old. A Yildiz .410 TK36, folding barrel, very short and light, with about as much recoil as a springer air rifle. She loved it. At around £180 brand new, they hardly break the bank, especially a second hand one. Just a thought! http://youtu.be/yQM5jAcDx8w Edited March 15, 2016 by Exudate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moorvale55 Posted March 16, 2016 Report Share Posted March 16, 2016 +1 Exudate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hedge Posted March 16, 2016 Report Share Posted March 16, 2016 +1 for a BSA Meteor or similar +1 for a Hatsan Striker - great little guns You could get her onto a .410 but I'd argue that she's missing out on the gun handling and safety aspects. Air rifle plinking is good fun and you learn so much. Many moons ago my Dad started me on a very old springer, then a BSA Meteor (still got it) and then a .410 (aged about 12). She needs to enjoy it so that's the most important thing to me. You've got plenty of time to get her on to `bigger` stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TONY R Posted March 16, 2016 Report Share Posted March 16, 2016 My kids started with a cheapo SMK 15 junior both still working fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FatFreddysCat Posted March 16, 2016 Report Share Posted March 16, 2016 Where abouts in the country are you? I've got an old .22 air rifle you can have for nothing. Has no markings on it so don't know manufacturer. Works fine and even has an old Tasco scope. If you need a shorter stock you could cut it down to fit. Will have to be collected as too complicated/costly to post. PM me if interested. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saddler Posted March 16, 2016 Report Share Posted March 16, 2016 Where abouts in the country are you? I've got an old .22 air rifle you can have for nothing. Has no markings on it so don't know manufacturer. Works fine and even has an old Tasco scope. If you need a shorter stock you could cut it down to fit. Will have to be collected as too complicated/costly to post. PM me if interested. Great offer You CAN still send airguns in the regular mail in case the distance is an issue If not - I can chip in a couple of quid toward P&P to get it to the lass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FatFreddysCat Posted March 16, 2016 Report Share Posted March 16, 2016 Didn't realise that, thought it would have to be RFD and go by carrier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saddler Posted March 16, 2016 Report Share Posted March 16, 2016 2nd hand sales are still ok to be sent by mail ALL gun types, NOT just airguns. Section 1 & 2 can ONLY be posted to an RFD for collection by the certificate holder. 2nd hand airguns can be sent directly to the buyer.(unless seller is an RFD..!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teza Posted March 16, 2016 Report Share Posted March 16, 2016 Great offer You CAN still send airguns in the regular mail in case the distance is an issue If not - I can chip in a couple of quid toward P&P to get it to the lass Where abouts in the country are you? I've got an old .22 air rifle you can have for nothing. Has no markings on it so don't know manufacturer. Works fine and even has an old Tasco scope. If you need a shorter stock you could cut it down to fit. Will have to be collected as too complicated/costly to post. PM me if interested. what very nice offers, credit to you guys, great forum this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Livefast123 Posted March 16, 2016 Report Share Posted March 16, 2016 Got a Gamo Delta cadet for my 7 year old daughter, nice and light with an easy cocking stroke. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duckandswing Posted March 16, 2016 Report Share Posted March 16, 2016 Got a Gamo junior hunter for my 7 year old. About £80 at sportsman gun centre I think. Cracking little rifle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cueball Posted March 16, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 16, 2016 Wow thanks for all re replies and offers, love how everyone is wiling to help out a young gun. I have even had some people send some pm's to me with offers and advice. Thanks FatFredysCat for that generous offer but I am up in liverpool. I have looked at my local gun shops new and used section and they seem to have tons of used meteor's for sale for not much cash so I think I will head over to mcavoys and pick one up for her this weekend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted March 16, 2016 Report Share Posted March 16, 2016 458 cal Winchester..............or a 600 nitro express.............. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougall Posted March 17, 2016 Report Share Posted March 17, 2016 if she is small in stature the little gamo is a great starter gun,plastic stock which is quite short,but v easy to cock @ 6-7ft lbs perfect for plinking etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted March 17, 2016 Report Share Posted March 17, 2016 look for a BSA 177 Diana......get it serviced ...nice little gun.....and if the child dosnt like it ...you will want to hang onto it..cause they are fun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
team tractor Posted March 18, 2016 Report Share Posted March 18, 2016 My kids use a webley jaguar that's 50 years old and it still brings smiles to their faces Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jameswrx Posted March 18, 2016 Report Share Posted March 18, 2016 I bought my 7 year old lad a Gamo junior (bear grylls) and it's pretty dreadful. Loud and twangy and it put him right off as he's probably too small really. I sat him up with my FX T12 and he liked that as it was quiet and no recoil or action noise. Also he was spot on accurate straight away with that which encouraged him. I think I'd go for something like a BSA ultra, very small and easy for the kids to handle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruno22rf Posted March 18, 2016 Report Share Posted March 18, 2016 "Loud and Twangy" jameswrx?....just like the man himself then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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