So the deal my wife and I came to was that we would get our children air rifles at age 9 so that they could begin to learn basic weapons handling and long-gun shooting. I got them the little bows and arrows that you could barely put an eye out with last Christmas so we could start doing some basic safety rules, and this Christmas the oldest is 9, and going to get his first rifle.
What I am looking for is an air rifle a child can easily handle, take care of, learn on, and also then later kill squirrels and rabbits with. I also don't plan on spending more than $100 on this thing, total package.
The searching I've done thus far (which is very wavetop) has led me to the Crossman 2100.
Does anyone else have better suggestions, or things that we should be looking for instead?
Actually, you might be better off if you just got a .22 single shot rifle and fed it CB caps. Cut the stock down to fit them now, save the piece, then reattach it when they are older.
I say this because the current air rifles are a bit under powered, or you have to pump them up a million times.
I have an RWS German air rifle in .22 caliber pellets, and it is a bear to ****.
This way they will have a rifle they can carry with them into adulthood and they will also have fond memories to boot.
You can find a nice strong single shot anyplace for around $100 easily, and it will last a lifetime.
Or you can get a pump or lever action and it will also feed, chamber and fire CB caps, shorts, or 22LR too all day long.
CB caps make less noise than my RWS air rifle and kill very efficiently on small game.
My WalMart sells them for $9 for a 100 round box.
These new air rifles feel like toys with all the plastic on them. A good old school single shot, pump, or lever action is solid and will last generations.
The kids four generations from now will thank you.