We were up the road in Soldotna today for a prenatal visit (Wilmethlet V3.0 is due in May) and I had occasion to take the 6yo up to the newly-relocated gun counter, at which we ran into the one counter-fella on the Peninsula that I've actually grown to like (the guy who introduced me to the Walther PPQ).
I was happy to confirm that my daughter is ergonomically fully ready for the Chipmunk-sized rifle. She let me know that she'd like the pink one, which, if that design is the way we go (this was the Savage edition, with the no-joke Accu-Trigger), I'll probably be happy to indulge.
Also met my first Rossi Trifecta, a simple break-top that comes with three interchangeable barrels: .22LR, 20 gauge, and .243 Winchester. Cost is just three bills, which seems like a great value. This stock was still a little long for the munchkin, but it won't be for too much longer. I find myself intrigued by this design, and I liked what I saw today. The safety is a little weird, but more in the realm of unusual than truly non-ergonomic or counterproductive--and it is positive. Had I the funds to spend on a real project, it would be interesting to see where one could take this design, in terms of optimizing sights, ammo cuffs and shooting sling.
In handguns, they didn't have a Browning 1911-22 to look at (I'm almost certain at this point that I'll go to one of the "Black Label" editions when the time comes), but they did have a SIG P938, and that one is only slightly too large for the kid's hand--she could just barely get her fingertip onto the trigger face, with the gun properly aligned with her forearm. (Interestingly, her thumb was nearly perfect on the safety.) Then we tried looking at a Ruger LCR in her hand, and I was a bit surprised to see how much too big that one is. Perhaps a lot of it is the rubber grip, sized for adult hands rather than for minimum bulk (I'll re-check her at home on my Boot-Grip J frame just to see), but at any rate she could barely fingertip the trigger on the LCR as well. Okay, data point!
I also happened to note a few Ruger Gunsite Scout magazines behind the glass, offered for seventy bucks a pop! Jeez Louise, I admit I was not expecting that degree of owch.
Which reminds me: I am still hopeful to get back my completed 03 Springfield. Not too long ago now, I confirmed with the smith that built it, that they still have not made the video about it that they want to, and that he would be happy to agitate to get it on the front burner now that everyone is mostly caught up from SHOT. Ah, patience. So I happened to check on Gunsmoke's YouTube channel last night, and noticed that they do have a new video out...which is a segment of Rich talking with Janelle Cooper and Lindy Cooper Wisdom at SHOT.
...And I've got no problem being in line behind that. No problem at all. (Jeff Cooper referred to Janelle as "The Countess", and she is indeed an impressive personality. Not for nothing does my second daughter have Janelle for a middle name. :-)
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3 comments:
We got a Chipmunk a while back. Turns out the trigger is the worst I have ever tried on any gun, and unfixable (after a lot of effort to try). Do make sure any gun for kids has a decent trigger. It can only reduce their shooting enjoyment to have to deal with a crappy one.
Totally agreed on the importance of the trigger. If I do go with a "Chipmunk-style" single shot for a first rifle, it will probably be the Savage, precisely because of the Accu-Trigger they put in it. If my (limited) experience with the centerfire Accu-Triggers is any guide, that thing is no joke.
IIRC, of all the rifles I own, only one has not needed at least minor ministrations from a gunsmith to make the trigger what it can be--the Steyr Scout. (And even that one, most likely, was adjusted by Rich Wyatt before I ever saw it. :-) That doesn't mean, of course, that every rifle needs a little attention--but most do.
Magpul now makes AICS magazines that fit the Ruger Scout. Also Rugers own polymer magazines are much cheaper than the metal ones. Either one is the way to go.
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