Kid’s mtn rifle

[AVP]

Good Sunday all,

I am going to make a squirrel rifle for my 10, 8 and 6 year old kids to take turns learning on. I need it reduced in size but also large enough they can use a few years till I build them their own full sizers. 

I’ll be cutting my own blank so would like to know what dimensions you can suggest to work with. I know many of you have built smaller guns before so I would appreciate your input before I get started. And i would certainly appreciate any pics you would share for inspiration!

I am thinking a simple half-stock mountain rifle, maybe 34 inch barrel. Perhaps .36-.40 caliber. Thoughts? Thanks!

[Tim Ault]

Here's an original that fits the bill
  https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=4161.0

[smallpatch]

Not a mt rifle, but worked for my 11 year old for several years.

[alacran]

Don't think you have showed me that one Andy. Very nice.

[Tim Crosby]

 Here is one I did for the Grandkids. 28" X 3/4ths  Rayl barrel in .36. Lock is a little Becky, 10 3/4 LOP, overall 40", very light.

    Tim C.

[al56]

If I remember correctly the tradegun sketchbook has full size plans for a 2/3 scale gun.  You could look at that and modify  as needed.

[RMann]

Really nice Tim, and inspires me to build my next one for my grandkids!  Andy's would make me too nervous for the kids to use, but beautiful....  I'll follow this thread for ideas and details to put to use.  Thanks

[smylee grouch]

Jim Chambers makes the little fellers model that might be an option.

[smallpatch]

Guido,
That was 2014,  custom A wt, .40 cal  Rice barrel, shortened from both ends to 38”.  Very slim. Weighs less that 6 lbs.  Nice piece of sugar maple.  Used 6/32 lock bolt and still had to taper the ramrod, as well as profile the front bolt.
Now the grandson is 6’3”.  Doesn’t fit that well anymore.
Hard to get the profile right for sure.
Proof that it’s a Lehigh.

[blienemann]

Here's a simple rifle built for 5'-4" sweetie many years ago, with 34" 7/8" x .50 straight barrel, 2 1/2" drop x 12 1/2" pull, about 6 pounds. Your idea of 34" works well, could be .40 x 7/8" or 13/16", and so on. Built her a small early, carved .40 Lancaster pattern with same dimensions, and a "shortened" 24 ga Chief's grade trade gun which was lighter yet. Many young ones enjoyed shooting these, seemed a balance between too small and too large. Adults also enjoyed these small, light guns. Good luck and have fun with the family! Bob

[frogwalking]

Rice used to sell a 31 inch swamped .40 caliber barrel that worked well for one I made for my oldest grand daughter.  Don't know if they still make it. 

[BOB HILL]

Rice still makes it. I used one of them not to long ago. 34” long swamped barrel. Rice calls it Jim’s little barrel.
Bob

[recurve]

built this Traditions Kentucky for my grandson  (covid project) 32 inch barrel .50 short and light a beginers rifle(and He likes RED )
and to look alittle like popte's rifle