I know I want the CZ 455 Scout when I step him up to 22LR. But he's agreed to try a "BB Gun" if I got him one. I may surprise him at Christmas with one.

So I got questions:
- I've got a 22LR can. Are there any pellet or BB guns that take a suppressor? (1/2x28 thread pitch) I'll be shooting in back yard likely some. So i'd be nice to make it even more quiet.

- Any suggestions on something that has a short length of pull and is fairly light?

- Pellet rifle or "BB Gun"? I have zero experience with air rifles since I was a kid. Which should I look for?

- Old school pump to charge it? Or is there any that run with CO2 cartridges? I remember my old air gun as a kid was fairly hard to pump using the hand-guard.

He's 5 years old. Buy him a Daisey Red Rider. If you want something different, buy yourself a toy.

RMD

I asked a similar question at this time of year last year. Based on recommendations here I bought my 2 boys (6 & 7) Benjamin 392 rifles in .22 pellet. However, they are not strong enough to pump them themselves. We shot them with a neighbor who has boys that are 8 & 10, and the 10 year old even struggled. It's fine because that means I have to be around when they shoot them. I am happy with my purchase.

https://www.crosman.com/airgun...airguns/benjamin-392

There is a lot to know about airguns now. You can easily turn a "toy" for your son into your backyard shooting hobby.

Pump guns and co2 are typically where we all started, and they are fun but mostly just toys.

Spring and gas are a step up in cost but also in power and accuracy, as well as weird recoil that is not beneficial in learning to shoot as center fire rifles don't have two way recoil like a spring loaded rifle does. It is not a Training device for real rifles.

That brings us to PCP air guns which require some more accessories, like a pump or tank and some fittings for connectivity. These offer unequaled accuracy even out to 125 yards, more power then a 22lr and the cheapest models offer 30 or so shots on one filling, some up to 150. A full scba tank depending on size can get you 10-30-50-70 fillings. I get 35 fillings of 60 (2100) accurate shots on one of my rifles for 10 dollars worth of air.

I entered with a 500 dollar benjamin marauder but there are cheaper entry level rifles now, in the 200 dollar range.

As for the silencer. In airgun circles, they are called moderators. That disassociates the sound dampeners from the negative stigma of a "silencer" and also keeps the confusion of tax stamps and NFA laws away from the airguns.

Most airguns come with a moderator or barrel shroud to address sound as people want to shoot them in their back yard. Usually what draws attention isn't even the gun shot, but the impact of the pellet against a target. So many people devise rubber mulch or carpeted target backings to dampen the impact sound.

Here's a quick vid on some pcp.

Kids grow up fast, I was still on a slingshot @ 5. Moved up to a Daisy Cub around 7, collected by enough pop bottles to get that Red Ryder. Around 10, got the Daisy model 25 pump. Loved that peep sight!

Keep his eyes safe! Good luck, happy shooting to you both!

The Daisy Red Ryder we have is hard to cock for a 5 year old. Now that my son is 8, he can do it, but still struggles. The lever is plastic.

A five year old “agreed” to try a BB gun? That sounds like a different arrangement than I grew up with. Guess the times have changed.

I got my first BB gun at around 8 or 9, after I earned enough money doing lawn work to buy it, and got permission from my dad to buy one. It was a Crosman that used steel BB shot, I still have it and it still works (52 years later). I also have the Benjamin pump .22 lead BB shot airgun featuring “Bolt Action, Hair Trigger, Hammer Fire” that I bought the following summer, under similar circumstances. Both of them are well worn but still completely functional. I remember Dad taking me to Gart Brothers sporting goods in Denver to purchase both of those.

A Daisy “Buck” BB gun ought to be about the right size for the typical five year old.

https://www.airgundepot.com/daisy-model-105-buck.html

I’d get him an air soft gun. It’s safer and will be easier to use for him, then in a year or two get the red rider

quote:

Originally posted by limblessbiff:
I’d get him an air soft gun. It’s safer and will be easier to use for him, then in a year or two get the red rider

Yes. Even if he doesn't agree.