Break-barrel for an 8 year old?

[DougT]

My 8 year old nephew likes shooting air guns but has a Crossman multi-pump BB/pellet gun.  He likes to shoot my TF-89 and shoots it well but can barely cock it.  Compasseco lists the cocking effort as 28#.  

I'm looking to get him something a little smaller, lighter and easier to cock.  The Tech Force 15 & 20 look about right.  Any experience with these guns?  I'll pick up a 4x32 scope for him later.

Any other recommendations for a reliable,  inexpensive break-barrel  .177 air rifle would be appreciated.

Doug

[ronbeaux]

The B-3 is easy to cock and if you work on it a little a pretty good shooter. I got a RWS model 24 for my son when he was that age and it is also easy to cock. Too bad they don't make it anymore though. You might can pick one up cheap if you look and wait around. The RWS is now 10 years old and is still doing just fine. My B-3 keeps throwing linkage pins and needs constant attention to keep it going. Some are good and some are not.

[onemountain]

According to Tom Gaylord's blog over at PA the Diana Schutze is the direct descendant of the Model 24, he says it's marked as the 240. AoA's carrying them for $175, best price I could find in a quickie 2min search. But also from the blog it sounds like it could use a home tune. Worth a read though. Price seems a bit steep. How much was the 24 when you got it?

http://www.pyramydair.com/blog/2008/04/rws-diana-schutze-part-3.html

[North Pack]

No, ...

[Magnum]

Hi Doug, I have been faced with this same question over the years.. 3 times to be exact. My thinking was to get something that they would possibly keep forever like I have done So quality counted for me, along with really easy to cock and therefore more fun:) . I allowed them to input some there own money and some choice preference in .177 or .22 the .22 can be easier for small fingers.. We ended up with this (Diana schutz /24 .177 very nice German quality and easy to use ) and (BSA meteor .22 because he wanted a .22 this proved to be even easier to use and amazing accuracy! not quite the German made quality but still very nice. I think AOA still has some in .22.) and the last one we got was a( Gamo Delta .177 because she like the synthetic stock better, also a great shooter and  would recommend also is a great price ). BTW My first real air gun after the daisy was a .177 BSA Meteor 1969ish! I still have it and remember well the day my dad took  me to buy it:) although Its well worn a new spring seal or 2?  I think I have carried it hundreds of miles, not sure I could hunt lions and tigers anymore if you know what I mean, I still love it lol:)  well hope that may help, Tony.

[ronbeaux]

I think I paid around $120.00 but that was a long time ago so I'm not sure.

[airgunandy]

Howie on this forum mentioned he had a TF15 awhile back. He seemed to be pretty happy with it. Been kinda eying the 15 and 20 myself for backyard plinking duty.

With the onset of terminal magnumitis in the airgun industry there aren't a lot of nice, inexpensive, reliable kid-sized or at least kid-frendly springers made anymore.
What about a Gamo Delta or Recon? Crosman Raven?

[triry]

doug, for what its worth, i started my 11 year old son ryan out with a crosman raven. 550-575fps, and would easily group under a dime at 10m. it was plenty capable of squirrel size game at 25 yards or less if the shot placement was watched.
theyre fairly inexpensive, definitely kid friendly and has just enough heft to it for an adult.
ryan picked it over the gamo delta as it just "fit" hime better. ryan has since moved on to a winchester 800x and a gamo big cat.

another thought would be one of mike melicks tuned b16s with the synthetic stock....................

[DougT]

Thanks for all the suggestions!  This is my nephew I'm looking to outfit.  

The B-3 is out since it isn't a break-barrel.

I think I'll check into these air rifles in .177:

B-16
BSA Meteor          nice gun but too expensive
Crossman Raven  <25# cocking       $69.99 @ P.A.
Gamo Delta             21# cocking       $63.95 @ P.A.
Gamo Recon           19# cocking        $89.85 @ P.A.    
TF-15                      22# cocking       $32.95 @ Compasseco
TF-20                      18# cocking       $49.95 @ Compasseco

Right now I'm leaning towards the TF line, as I'm happy with mine.

[geewhiz380]

i recommend one of the best but uglyest i,ve seen the izh61 price 109.00 cooking 10lbs trigger 1.40lbs 5shots very accurate and very affordable and right size and distance good enough for his age my friends 9 year old has the same one and has no problem shootin targets at 10 yds its not loud at all this is one rifle that u will enjoy yourself .....its an excellent choice doug at least check it out at pyramid air it comes with a clip that hold 5 pellets .... good luck ...jorge....