Airguns are a perfect way to introduce young shooters to shooting sports. They are fun, accurate, affordable, and, most importantly, far safer to learn on than traditional firearms. In this article, we’ll take a look at some great options for fun shooting, precision shooting, small game hunting, and training / basic trigger time, all with the young shooter in mind. Before we get started, there are a few points that we want to make right upfront. Regardless of what gun you choose for your young shooter, please make sure to consider the overall fit and weight of the airgun.
Two things to consider when shopping for air guns for kids:
- Fit – The gun needs to fit the shooter. An airgun that’s too long or too short can be dangerous. Make sure that your youngster can shoulder the airgun and handle it properly. If they can’t shoulder the gun properly, then it’s not the right gun for them.
- Weight – When bench shooting or from a supported position, weight is less of an issue. But, if you plan to take your little one out hunting with you, make sure that the airgun you’ve chosen is not too heavy for the hunt. Also, make sure they can handle it correctly and maintain proper muzzle control.
Most Fun
It’s hard to find something more fun than semi-automatic and fully automatic BB airguns. While not for the youngest youth shooters, if you have a youngster that’s shown good discipline and responsibility, something like the Hellraiser HellBoy BB rifle, Umarex Legends MP40, or Springfield M1 Carbine will certainly bring the fun to the backyard.
For the youngsters just starting out, the Daisy Red Ryder or any of the specialty guns like the John Wayne or Annie Oakley under-lever springers are great options. They are very fun to shoot and help young shooters learn good gun etiquette while having fun.
Most Accurate
There are several good options if your youngster wants to shoot competitively with airguns. Daisy makes one of the best tools of the trade in the Avanti Champion 499. It’s been called the most accurate BB rifle in the world for many years, and for good reason. It’s a single shot precision BB gun capable of putting bbs on a bullseye the size of the BB out of a ballpoint pen. Yep, it’s that accurate in the hands of the right shooter.
As your shooters graduate from precision BB airguns, they may want to get into 10-meter precision shooting with pump pneumatic, CO2, or PCP pellet rifles. The Daisy Avanti 753 is an ideal starting point. From there, you can jump to the Crosman Challenger and even some high-end Olympic class rifles. Many youngsters that start with the Avanti 499 go on to shoot competitively at the collegiate level, earning scholarships along the way. It’s a great option for young shooters who love the sport.
Best Small Game Hunter
Hunting can be a great way for families to spend time together. Please make sure, as mentioned above, that the fit and weight of the airgun works with your young airgunner. Depending on what you are hunting, you have many options. Consider something with a short pull or adjustable stock and that has sufficient power to take your intended game ethically. A good option may be something like the Beeman R7. This lightweight break-barrel is easy to cock, has a shorter pull, and enough energy for small game inside 20 yards. It’s a great airgun that will not only deliver a lot of fun and enjoyment now but for many years to come.
Best Trainer
Basic shooter safety is a must when starting out. We’ve already mentioned airguns like the Daisy Red Ryder and related variants, but what options exist beyond these basic options? Well, for young shooters looking to get into shooting handguns, there are many great options from Crosman, Umarex, Gamo, and more. Many CO2 pistols are one-to-one replicas of actual firearms. This is a wonderful way to begin teaching young shooters how to handle handguns safely. Products like the Beretta M84FS CO2 BB pistol have a smaller frame while maintaining the similar weight and feel of the real firearm. Airguns like the Crosman PFM16 BB Pistol are even smaller and yet deliver a great shooting experience.
For long-gun training and practice, specifically when wanting to get in some trigger time in preparation for the “big hunt,” the Umarex 850 M2 in either caliber is an exceptional option. It’s a bigger airgun, so make sure that it fits your young airgunner. It has a great bolt action with an eight-shot magazine. The open sights are really exceptional as well. The whole shooting experience with the 850 M2 is akin to shooting your typical bolt-action hunting rifle. It’s powerful and accurate and can be easily used for small game hunting as well.
What’s the right airgun for your youngster?
There are a lot of options out on the market when it comes to bb guns for kids and youth rifles. They are a better option for training young shooters on the important aspects of firearm safety and shooting safely. The key thing to remember is to make sure that they fit the gun and the gun fits them. If you need help picking the right product, just give us a call, and we’ll be happy to help.
