GBS Posted August 8 Report Share Posted August 8 I have a small boy who is very keen to get an air rifle so i am lookign for a junior sized air rifle. In the running are either a Gamo Junior Hunter or Crosman Ratcatcher, both of which I would probably need to cut the stocks down on. I think I understand the pros and cons of these two options but is there anything else I am missing. Some people have suggested that the Gamo is poorly built and a HW30s is a better option but these appear quite large in dimensions (adults can use them) and, at the price, I would be loathe to cut it down. All input appreciated. GBS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted August 8 Report Share Posted August 8 For the short time he will use it buy the cheapest you can find. El Gamo are built to a price and are perfect for an introduction to air rifle shooting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Exjacket Posted August 8 Report Share Posted August 8 23 minutes ago, GBS said: I have a small boy who is very keen to get an air rifle so i am lookign for a junior sized air rifle. In the running are either a Gamo Junior Hunter or Crosman Ratcatcher, both of which I would probably need to cut the stocks down on. I think I understand the pros and cons of these two options but is there anything else I am missing. Some people have suggested that the Gamo is poorly built and a HW30s is a better option but these appear quite large in dimensions (adults can use them) and, at the price, I would be loathe to cut it down. All input appreciated. GBS Buy a nice little Snowpeak pp750 pistol and as he grows you can make it larger. I put on a better fixed stock and a longer barrel so overall length is more than 600mm and the barrel is just over 310mm, now making it legal to bring up to 12ftlb limit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrpip Posted August 8 Report Share Posted August 8 theres an SMK junior in the sales £30 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ultrastu Posted August 8 Report Share Posted August 8 Cut the stock on a rat catcher to around 12 inches pull you as an adult will still be able to shoot it .just .but for the kid it's perfect .as standard they are 16 inches which is too long for everybody human sized and especially kids . If he grows just buy another stock for £20 and cut that down to 13.5 inches .They are easy to cock the bolt and load give plenty of punch at around 8 fpe in .22 and you get 40 shots per co2. Perfect . It's what I got my kids started on . I had a hw 30 and even built a smaller stock for it .so it would fit them . But kids can't cock the gun and they really don't like recoil. A red dot or 4x scope will be perfect . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ultrastu Posted August 8 Report Share Posted August 8 An smk cp2 would also be a good choice as it comes with a silencer magazine and a scope rail the stock is already shorter than the crosman but you may still have to cut it down to get it to fit them .you might be able to buy replacements I'm not sure . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
39TDS Posted August 8 Report Share Posted August 8 I have a Gamo Junior Hunter for my grandson. At 8 the stock is a bit big but he could just about cock it himself. Lost interest pretty much immediately. Good little gun, reasonably accurate with open sights at short range. I like it myself for plinking, I much prefer a smaller gun for my own use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mice! Posted August 8 Report Share Posted August 8 4 hours ago, Ultrastu said: Cut the stock on a rat catcher to around 12 inches pull you as an adult will still be able to shoot it .just .but for the kid it's perfect .as standard they are 16 inches which is too long for everybody human sized and especially kids . If he grows just buy another stock for £20 and cut that down to 13.5 inches .They are easy to cock the bolt and load give plenty of punch at around 8 fpe in .22 and you get 40 shots per co2. Perfect . It's what I got my kids started on . I had a hw 30 and even built a smaller stock for it .so it would fit them . But kids can't cock the gun and they really don't like recoil. A red dot or 4x scope will be perfect . Sounds spot on 👍 My lad is shooting a PP700W with a Bob P stock, lots of adjustment on the stock, even though the grip/ palm swell is big he manages fine, and his smaller mate shot it with great enjoyment a few weeks back, but I would guess the ratcatcher is a cheaper starting option Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GBS Posted August 11 Author Report Share Posted August 11 Thanks all, I think I will go down the Ratcatcher route until he is big enough for a HW or has lost interest (which I doubt and suspect this the beginning of a long long journey, assuming the powers that be allow it to continue!) best, GBS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ultrastu Posted August 12 Report Share Posted August 12 You may find that the plastic butt stock has been riveted onto the metal sub frame of the action at the pistol grip .these used to be screwed on .you will find the threads under the rivets just drill them out with a thin bit so as not to damage the threads that go through the metal pistol grip . And you can then remove the stock if you want to swap it out for a replacement one ..find some screws that fit the threads and refit the new one as you please .you will need to order so crosman "Pro blocks " to fit a scope .and a muzzle threaded converter to fit a silencer if you want . Look at js Ramsbottom site .buy some co2 while your there .and maybe some rws hobbys .they tend to shoot straight are cheap .bop over cans well and reduce ricochets off hard surfaces . A red dot sight is great as kids can see through it much easier than a scope with all their awkward head and eye positioning that goes on . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GBS Posted August 14 Author Report Share Posted August 14 On 12/08/2024 at 17:54, Ultrastu said: You may find that the plastic butt stock has been riveted onto the metal sub frame of the action at the pistol grip .these used to be screwed on .you will find the threads under the rivets just drill them out with a thin bit so as not to damage the threads that go through the metal pistol grip . And you can then remove the stock if you want to swap it out for a replacement one ..find some screws that fit the threads and refit the new one as you please .you will need to order so crosman "Pro blocks " to fit a scope .and a muzzle threaded converter to fit a silencer if you want . Look at js Ramsbottom site .buy some co2 while your there .and maybe some rws hobbys .they tend to shoot straight are cheap .bop over cans well and reduce ricochets off hard surfaces . A red dot sight is great as kids can see through it much easier than a scope with all their awkward head and eye positioning that goes on . That’s good info, thank you. GBS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nublue 22 Posted August 14 Report Share Posted August 14 Get a BSA cadet major Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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