A VERY VERY LIGHT .22 rifle

Basement-Gunsmith-Z · August 5, 2012, 02:40 PM

I am looking for a .22 rifle that weighs around 3.5-3.75 pounds. It's for my Grandmother. She was recently ill, and is not as strong as she used to be. She would like to go to the range with me soon. I have already looked at the marlin papoose, it weighs 3.25 pounds. i would like something with a forend to grab on to though. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

SteelChickenShooter · August 5, 2012, 02:48 PM

Henry survival rifle is 3.5 pounds. Cricket is about 2.5 pounds.

Nine the Ranger · August 5, 2012, 02:50 PM

The Henry 'Survival Rifle' only weighs 2.5 pounds I think.

Basement-Gunsmith-Z · August 5, 2012, 02:54 PM

i have looked at the henry survival rifle, it is uncomfortable to hold, i want something with a forend. The cricket is too small.

SteelChickenShooter · August 5, 2012, 03:01 PM

Wrap a spot with duct tape to make a nice soft custom sized buldge to hold. The old "Red Green" solution. Ugly, maybe out of line reply, but something like split wood or plastic could be fabricated and put in place for the hand. Others may have better ideas, like perhaps some sort of drop down handle that clamps to the barrel. Not trying to be stupid- just thinking out loud.

SteelChickenShooter · August 5, 2012, 03:04 PM

Forgot to mention- maybe you already know. My first thought was the kids Cricket for light weight, but they do make an adult version about 2 1/2 inches longer pull. Might be about right.

Basement-Gunsmith-Z · August 5, 2012, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Forgot to mention- maybe you already know. My first thought was the kids Cricket for light weight, but they do make an adult version about 2 1/2 inches longer pull. Might be about right.

Thanks, I have seen those, but i am leaning more towards a semi automatic. What i think i will do is get a marlin papoose, than i will epoxy or screw on a picatinny rail onto the stock, sticking out further forward and put a foregrip on it. I'm not a fan of attaching things to the barrel because if a hand slipped i don't want her to burn her hand. Thanks for your help.

johnbt · August 5, 2012, 07:51 PM

A Nylon 66 weighs 4 pounds.

dmazur · August 8, 2012, 08:26 AM

A Browning SA-22 weighs 5 lbs and has a forend. This is a little over your weight limit, but it might work anyway...

The SA-22 is very easy to use, and the bottom eject allows one to shoot it either left- or right-handed. (As long as you keep your support arm to one side to avoid the hot brass.)

One suggestion might be to let her shoot off a rest. If she uses a rest, the weight of the rifle itself should be less of a problem. And, it is easier to shoot well from a rest, so that should provide a "more harmonious outcome".

SA-22's aren't cheap, however.

chewie146 · August 8, 2012, 09:24 AM

If you're going to 5 pounds, just a 10/22 carbine with the synthetic stock would be 5 pounds. The Mossberg Plinkster goes down to 4.1 pounds and has the aforementioned requirements. The Marlin 795 detachable magazine is listed at 4.5 pounds. Most .22s come with an 18" barrel. Get a smith to cut the last 2 inches off and save yourself a couple of ounces. Those are my options for you. You could also look at the 10/22 and get one of those carbon-fiber aftermarket barrels for it with the steel liner. That should shave off some weight. Another thing you may want to consider is balance. A well-balanced rifle will seem lighter and easier to handle than one that is muzzle-heavy.

chris in va · August 8, 2012, 12:23 PM

The old Nylon 66 is absurdly light if you can find one. My LGS has one on the used rack.

collector rob · August 8, 2012, 01:18 PM

The Marlin Tactical 22 (ar15 type) is listed at 5 lbs, and has a rail you can mount a foregrip on.

aarondhgraham · August 8, 2012, 01:48 PM

4.1 pounds is nothing,,,
The little AR-7 by Henry is 3.5 pounds.

Mine has been rock solid reliable,,,
Mags (at wal mart) are cheap,,,
It seems to like bulk ammo.

Aarond

aarondhgraham · August 8, 2012, 03:21 PM

Quote:

The Henry 'Survival Rifle' only weighs 2.5 pounds I think.

Nope, it weighs 3.5 pounds,,,
According to their website.

Aarond

.

thesecond · August 8, 2012, 08:27 PM

If she must go with .22 LR, presumably for HD duties? .... Not yet mentioned:

Marlin Model 60
Kel-tec SU 22

How about a handgun suitable for 2-handed use?

Kel-tec PLR 22

.32 ACP? VZ-Scorpion?

August 5, 2012, 02:40 PM	#1
Basement-Gunsmith-Z Member Join Date: June 15, 2012 Posts: 75	A VERY VERY LIGHT .22 rifle I am looking for a .22 rifle that weighs around 3.5-3.75 pounds. It's for my Grandmother. She was recently ill, and is not as strong as she used to be. She would like to go to the range with me soon. I have already looked at the marlin papoose, it weighs 3.25 pounds. i would like something with a forend to grab on to though. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

August 5, 2012, 02:50 PM	#3
Nine the Ranger Senior Member Join Date: June 22, 2012 Location: Florida Posts: 248	The Henry 'Survival Rifle' only weighs 2.5 pounds I think. __________________ 'A Vote is like a Rifle; It's usefulness depends upon the character of the User.'-Theodore Roosevelt

August 8, 2012, 08:26 AM	#9
dmazur Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2007 Location: Pacific NW Posts: 1,310	A Browning SA-22 weighs 5 lbs and has a forend. This is a little over your weight limit, but it might work anyway... The SA-22 is very easy to use, and the bottom eject allows one to shoot it either left- or right-handed. (As long as you keep your support arm to one side to avoid the hot brass.) One suggestion might be to let her shoot off a rest. If she uses a rest, the weight of the rifle itself should be less of a problem. And, it is easier to shoot well from a rest, so that should provide a "more harmonious outcome". SA-22's aren't cheap, however. __________________ .30-06 Springfield: 100 yrs + and still going strong

August 8, 2012, 01:48 PM	#13
aarondhgraham Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2009 Location: Stillwater, OKlahoma Posts: 8,638	Mossberg 702 Plinkster is only 4.1 pounds,,, 4.1 pounds is nothing,,, The little AR-7 by Henry is 3.5 pounds. Mine has been rock solid reliable,,, Mags (at wal mart) are cheap,,, It seems to like bulk ammo. Aarond __________________ Never ever give an enemy the advantage of a verbal threat. Caje: The coward dies a thousand times, the brave only once. Kirby: That's about all it takes, ain't it? Aarond is good,,, Aarond is wise,,, Always trust Aarond! (most of the time)

August 5, 2012, 02:48 PM	#2
SteelChickenShooter Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2011 Posts: 863	Henry survival rifle is 3.5 pounds. Cricket is about 2.5 pounds.

August 5, 2012, 02:54 PM	#4
Basement-Gunsmith-Z Member Join Date: June 15, 2012 Posts: 75	i have looked at the henry survival rifle, it is uncomfortable to hold, i want something with a forend. The cricket is too small.

August 5, 2012, 03:01 PM	#5
SteelChickenShooter Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2011 Posts: 863	Wrap a spot with duct tape to make a nice soft custom sized buldge to hold. The old "Red Green" solution. Ugly, maybe out of line reply, but something like split wood or plastic could be fabricated and put in place for the hand. Others may have better ideas, like perhaps some sort of drop down handle that clamps to the barrel. Not trying to be stupid- just thinking out loud.

August 5, 2012, 03:04 PM	#6
SteelChickenShooter Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2011 Posts: 863	Forgot to mention- maybe you already know. My first thought was the kids Cricket for light weight, but they do make an adult version about 2 1/2 inches longer pull. Might be about right.

August 5, 2012, 07:51 PM	#8
johnbt Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 1999 Location: Richmond, Virginia USA Posts: 6,004	A Nylon 66 weighs 4 pounds.

August 8, 2012, 09:24 AM	#10
chewie146 Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2010 Location: New Mexico Posts: 853	If you're going to 5 pounds, just a 10/22 carbine with the synthetic stock would be 5 pounds. The Mossberg Plinkster goes down to 4.1 pounds and has the aforementioned requirements. The Marlin 795 detachable magazine is listed at 4.5 pounds. Most .22s come with an 18" barrel. Get a smith to cut the last 2 inches off and save yourself a couple of ounces. Those are my options for you. You could also look at the 10/22 and get one of those carbon-fiber aftermarket barrels for it with the steel liner. That should shave off some weight. Another thing you may want to consider is balance. A well-balanced rifle will seem lighter and easier to handle than one that is muzzle-heavy.

August 8, 2012, 12:23 PM	#11
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	The old Nylon 66 is absurdly light if you can find one. My LGS has one on the used rack.

August 8, 2012, 01:18 PM	#12
collector rob Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2005 Location: NW WASHINGTON Posts: 232	The Marlin Tactical 22 (ar15 type) is listed at 5 lbs, and has a rail you can mount a foregrip on.

August 8, 2012, 08:27 PM	#15
thesecond Member Join Date: January 4, 2008 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 64	If she must go with .22 LR, presumably for HD duties? .... Not yet mentioned: Marlin Model 60 Kel-tec SU 22 How about a handgun suitable for 2-handed use? Kel-tec PLR 22 .32 ACP? VZ-Scorpion?