A friend asked me for a recommendation for a firearm for her 10 year old daughter and I thought a 22 makes the most sense. Any recommendations on what to get?

I usually recommend a 10-22, but 15-22 is going to have more adjustment for kids to grow into

Volquartsen /ob

I really like the Marlin model 60

My girls Sling lots of standard velocity lead through our savage MKii w/ threaded barrel and suppressor. We have a cheap 3-9 bushnell on top, lace-on cheek weld pad, bipod on the swivel stud and it's an absolute blast to shoot. Shoot lots of steel at 100yds and sling out to 200yds with some serious holdover.

As a starter for a kid, something bolt action like this:

https://www.academy.com/p/savage-youth-rascal-22-lr-bolt-action-rifle

or this:

https://www.henryusa.com/rifles/mini-bolt-youth/

Pearl handled 25 auto

What's the girl's experience and interest?

BoozerRed78 said:

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As a starter for a kid, something bolt action like this:

https://www.academy.com/p/savage-youth-rascal-22-lr-bolt-action-rifle

or this:

https://www.henryusa.com/rifles/mini-bolt-youth/

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Or the ruger American 22

15-22 didn't exist for most adults as kids but it's a great gun

I'd be between that, a 10/22 and any savage semiauto

Bergara 22 is the same body as a Remington 700. It is a good trainer rifle

CZ 457 Scout

I got a cheap adjustable stock and a bipod for our 10-22 and it has been perfect for my son

Cz scout
Savage rascal

About any single shot. I started out carrying an adult size single shot at 5. Too long for me to even shoot myself, and nobody else around to hurt.

A former Marine sniper'now Texas Game Warden, gave me the idea to build a training rifle for my Grandkids. CZ455 with Vortex Diamondback tactical and a .22 specific suppressor. Easy rifle to handle,no recoil and no bang. shoots dime size groups at 50 yds and 50 cent groups at 100. Youngest kids still on the bench,older kids have found a really good "call gun". Best gun in my safe

We have a handful of 22s in the safe, and 6 and 4 yo currently.

Henry MiniBolt (Rascal) fits them much better than the model 60 or 10/22. It can't take a can and they had a hard time figuring out the open sights compared to the scoped 60, but the single shot feature is nice (safety). Can adjust the stock on the AR-22, but without a trigger job they're not strong enough to pull it without coming off target.

For a 10 y/o, I'd be looking at a 10/22 and put an Mcarbo trigger job on it.

tandy miller said:

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Volquartsen /ob

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Suppressed with thermal/ob....matching Chippewas

Single shot or bolt action. One shot at a time. Less chance for them to hurt themselves or someone. Also gives them something to work towards(semi auto).

mosdefn14 said:

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We have a handful of 22s in the safe, and 6 and 4 yo currently.

Henry MiniBolt (Rascal) fits them much better than the model 60 or 10/22. It can't take a can and they had a hard time figuring out the open sights compared to the scoped 60, but the single shot feature is nice (safety). Can adjust the stock on the AR-22, but without a trigger job they're not strong enough to pull it without coming off target.

For a 10 y/o, I'd be looking at a 10/22 and put an Mcarbo trigger job on it.

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How hard are those mcarbo springs to install?

Browning SA-22, besides the unique/weird loading mechanism, I think it is better suited for smaller hands and better balanced than most other 22's.

Slightly harder than baking a cake with your mother

I got a Chipmunk single-shot bolt-action when I turned 6, I believe. Beautiful little rifle that fits small kids great. Has peep sights and a pull-back cocking mechanism that I wasn't strong enough to pull until I got a little older so it required an adult to fire it.

Marlin/Henry lever action

Started my son on a savage rascal with a red dot (get a threaded version I didn't but wish i had). He is especially sensitive to sound over recoil so we started with CCI quiets. It is super light an easy to shoot for kids and adults. I prefer single shot for teaching, and it slows down ammo consumption.

Now that he grew, he/we shoot a Savage FV-SR we bought off Texags. Great grouping, slow enough that ammo isn't run through crazy quick but uses easy to load rotary mags. Cons it is heavy, so bench only until they grow. My son can kneel and shoot it pretty accurately, but standing and shooting is difficult. With a 22 suppressor its quiet, and fun to take to the stand for those coons that grow fat on the corn. :-)

The other family favorite is a Keltec CP33 with a suppressor. So much fun,but like a 10/22 you can blast through ammo in the blink of an eye, but super light weight and easy to handle.

TLDR: Young kid get a Rascal Threaded or Cricket, then when they grow get a better bolt action or 10/22 "for them" and by them I mean you both.

mosdefn14 said:

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We have a handful of 22s in the safe, and 6 and 4 yo currently.

Henry MiniBolt (Rascal) fits them much better than the model 60 or 10/22. It can't take a can and they had a hard time figuring out the open sights compared to the scoped 60, but the single shot feature is nice (safety). Can adjust the stock on the AR-22, but without a trigger job they're not strong enough to pull it without coming off target.

For a 10 y/o, I'd be looking at a 10/22 and put an Mcarbo trigger job on it.

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The Mini-bolt is the same size as the small daisy BB gun.

Would not start my kid with a semi auto Too easy to overlook a round in the chamber. Bolt action, you learn to leave the bolt open. Single shot, leave it open. Semi auto? Pull the mag. Is it now empty? no. still have to jack a shell out. Don't like it for kids

2040huck said:

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Would not start my kid with a semi auto Too easy to overlook a round in the chamber

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This is the way.

2040huck said:

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Would not start my kid with a semi auto Too easy to overlook a round in the chamber

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Agreed. This also helps to really drive home to point that you treat every gun as if it is loaded. Being a single shot, they may look at you like you're an idiot if they know it is unloaded, but this just helps to really drive the point home.

Baby 15-22 with a brace is kid sized.

I got a stamp on mine and have a regular adjustable stock.

George08 said:

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CZ 457 Scout

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Dang…I've got twin 7 yo girls who are ready

Don't think I can spend $1000 for two

Might be going with the Henry

The Stevens Crackshot is a lot of fun.

Here's a video:

GasPasser97 said:

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George08 said:

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CZ 457 Scout

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Dang…I've got twin 7 yo girls who are ready

Don't think I can spend $1000 for two

Might be going with the Henry

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If by "going with Henry" you mean the Mini-bolt consider this:
Yes more upfront, but the CZ Scout can grow with them more than the mini bolt. Simple mag change on the CZ takes it from a single shot to 5, 10, 15, or 25 round capacity. And stock is easily upgradable when they are older and need a longer LOP. Also added bonus, it's threaded for potential use with a suppressor.

With the Mini Bolt you are pretty much stuck with its configuration as there is a more limited aftermarket.

Kriss Defiance DMK22 with a binary trigger.