NPSS: suitable for youth?

[herkp]

Hi all, new here, been reading a lot and scouring PA in preparation for the boy's birthday.  For introduction, I haven't been serious about air guns since I was a kid (1974-vintage Crosman 760, which I WISH I still had), just getting back into it since we've got plenty of room to shoot where we live now.

Anyway, the boy wants to upgrade from his Red Ryder.  He'll be 11 years old in Feb, and I was thinking of getting him a break barrel rifle for target shooting/raccoon elimination.  He's fairly strong for his age and already a very experienced shooter, everything from .22 rimfire to AK-47.  He hunts with a .308, so he's very comfortable with guns.

Would the NPSS be okay for him?  He really likes the look of the rifle, and if it's not too hard to cock, then he'd be fine with it.  I'd really like to stick with nitro piston (for him, at least), since they just seem smoother/easier overall.

OBTW, any recommendations for his dad, who is likely unable to resist grabbing something also?!?!

thanks,
herkp

[microsalmo]

just my thoughts but i would say no.  it's to powerful, and takes some strength to cock.  plus it's very expensive for an 11 year old.  why not a nice crosman pumper?

[daveshoot]

I have one and I believe it is too much for an 11 year old... not saying he couldn't manage to cock it once, but it wouldn't be fun (or necessarily safe) for an afternoon.

The Crosman Raven is a youth rifle with a very similar appearance, and respectable performance:



Just a suggestion. There is also the IZH-61, which is supercool and very manageable.

[amb5500c]

Welcome to the GTA. You really need to find a way to actually put your hands on a rifle before you can know for sure if the boy can handle it. At 11 years old, and having lots of experience and good training from you, there shouldn't be any problems except maybe the weight.
Richard

[makenzie71]

I think that the NPSS is a lot of rifle, but not beyond an 11-year-old.  I was pretty proficient with my Ruger 10/22 at 6, so it can be done, but it's not going to be a casual shooter.  It's also quite expensive.  I would be reluctant, myself, and lean more toward something akin to the Crosman Raven shown above.

[daveshoot]

I was more worried about cocking force... I just had an adult female in pretty good shape complaining about it. She could do it, but didn't enjoy it. She also found the NPSS heavy to carry and aim, and for her, it was. She greatly preferred the Diana 24 and R7 for cocking force and form factor.

By safe, I meant losing hold of the barrel during cocking. I hate relying on bear trap mechanisms.

I am sure dad will handle the shooting safety & marksmanship aspects. I had a pump Winchester '06 as a kid (still got it  ) and they are easier to shoot and carry than these big ol' bb guns!

[makenzie71]

I thought the NPSS had a pretty slight cocking effort for it's particular class...all the nitro piston rifles I've played with have been pretty light compared to their sprung counterparts.  But now that I'm looking specifically for it, I can't even find the cocking effort listed.  I don't think a 7lb rifle is too much, but it is a large gun...the shear bulk of it might give the kid some trouble, too.

I think there's a multitude of reasons why it's not the best for the kid.

[herkp]

All,

Thanks for the good comments, guess I should have mentioned that he's in the market for a break barrel, having tried his friend's pumper.  He wasn't keen on it, and I distinctly remember the pain-in-the-palm from cranking that 760 to 10 pumps as a boy.  I know there's great pumps out there, he just doesn't want one.

As for weight, he's used to lugging around his .308 wood stock bolt action deer rifle, so I don't think he'll complain.  My biggest concern remains the cocking effort required. 

Right before Christmas, I impulse-bought one of those Gamo silent cat $148 specials at walmart (almost immediately returned it, hated the thumb hole stock) and thought the cocking effort was really light.  If the NPSS is similar, he'd do fine with it.  But like someone said, if he can't walk around and comfortably re-cock it after firing (or worse, put the butt on the ground and lean into it), then I'll need to look at something different.

I wish I could try before buy, but there's nothing here in central Arkansas to look at, so it may come to just ordering a gun, trying it, and see what works.  There's a lot of beautiful, lower velocity rifles at PA to consider.

Anyway, any more suggestions, please keep em coming...

[makenzie71]

Actually, Wal-Mart is the ultimate try-it-before-you-buy-it place...or before you keep it, anyway.  If there's a gun in Wal-Mart's stock that is suitable, you can purchase it and try it.  If it isn't up to your needs, they'll take it back no questions asked (and if they ask questions, let me know I'll get their district manager on it).  The only thing you have to do is keep your receipt and all the package contents, and you got a 30-day trial period.

We always had people bringing guns back after they found out they weren't suitable for their kids, and we were always happy to accept them, especially if you were trading for something more appropriate.

[daveshoot]

What's confusing is that the NPSS is a thumbhole (although I like it).

See what he thinks about the IZH...



Or does he like the more traditional wood and blue look and feel in a sporter stock?

[herkp]

It may have been my larger hand, but I couldn't get a decent grip on the Gamo.  Generally, my son's a traditionalist with guns (standard stock, etc.) except for specifically military applications like the AR or AK-47. 

He really liked the RWS 34, but I don't know if that's right for him either after reading the replies here. 

I re-looked at the Titan GP with reduced velocity and it looks pretty tempting.

I really appreciate the replies, as I've come to respect the opinions of this board after reading awhile.

[Lambchops]

The npss and silent cat have very similar cocking efforts. Near 30-35 lbs. In my opinion, it's all about technique. I could shoot my Walther Falcon hunter all day if I had the money.

[Dick Tracey]

The local Wal mart in Knoxville TN has the Benjamin Titan GP full power for $148.00.  I found the one I purchased is a very nice gun.  You could keep it for yourself if he has problems with it and purchase the crosman reduced power for him.  They will be easy to identify because yours will have Benjiman on it.  Once he grows into cocking the Benjiman you probably could have his repowered to a full power nitro cylinder.  The IZH 61 is a good rifle beeing a side lever with five shot clip (don't have to worry about fingers when loading) but is a very low power gun about 500 to 550 fps.  It is very accurate, however, IMHO I don't think a very good raccoon gun.

[LAalex]

Since you are planning on one for yourself, buy the NPSS and if it's too much for your son to handle just keep it for yourself.  Then you'll have a better idea of what suits him best.  Just my 2 cents.

Scotty

[LAalex]

DT, you beat me to the punch LOL!

Scotty

[BmaS]

If it were me, I'd be leery of the NPSS for an 11 year old.  My nephews had difficulty handling my GAMO Shadow 1000, which by comparison is a much lighter, easier cocking rifle.  I have an NPSS and a Crosman Titan.  The NPSS is lighter and easier to cock than the Titan, but still definitely not a youth rifle.
Just my $.02

[Dick Tracey]

DT, you beat me to the punch LOL!

Scotty
GREAT MINDS........

[WHITEFANG]

Not to sway you either way but the REM. NPSS IS A FINE GUN. They are not that bad on the cocking vs having to pump up a gun. The only issue I have for the 11 year old is the non auto safety return. Good gun safety must be explained with this gun even for me at my age I still sometimes forget to return the gun to safety. A Beeman dual cal. from walmart is a good cheap beginner and a good gun. Walmart is by far your best bet for shoot and try and then return if you are not satisfied. I have looked at the Crosman Raven and I believe as said it could be a better choice. GOOD LUCK!!!

[herkp]

Thanks all for the helpful replies, I think I've narrowed it down to the low power Titan for my son and NPSS for me.  When he's strong enough, he can upgrade to the NPSS, his younger sister inherits the Titan, and dad can upgrade to a wooden stock rifle.  If there's one thing both kids never forget, it's putting a rifle on safe, so that won't be a concern.

Sound like a plan? 

[Tom @ Buzzard Bluff]

"Right before Christmas, I impulse-bought one of those Gamo silent cat $148 specials at walmart (almost immediately returned it, hated the thumb hole stock) and thought the cocking effort was really light.  If the NPSS is similar, he'd do fine with it."
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 I have both the Benjamin Titan from W-M and a Big Cat from Gamo. The Gamo cocks FAR easier! Even if he could physically manage the cocking on the NP rifles it would stop being fun very quickly indeed!

 I'd suggest contacting Mike Melick at Flying Dragon (515-924-3699) and spending $81 with him for a lube-tuned Xisico B-12. They are the functional equivalent of the Beeman R7 and even after your children have graduated to other rifles you'll still have one of the sweetest plinkers around. They're keepers!

 I'm in N. central Ark near Hardy and if you're nearby you would be welcome to bring your young man by to try out a vast assortment of airguns.  Tom @ Buzzard Bluff