Our picks for the top 5 guns for junior this holiday season

Gifting a new gun to a young shooter is a momentous occasion and there’s no better time to do so then the holiday season. With more options than ever to wrap under the tree, it can be taxing to narrow down the choices to just one gun. That’s why Guns.com has taken the pressure out of holiday shopping by rounding up our top five favorite guns for youth shooters.

1. Daisy Red Ryder BB Gun

The classic Daisy Red Ryder BB Gun has faithfully offered many kids their first glimpse into the world of shooting. The most popular BB gun to date, the Daisy Red Ryder is not only a staple in the world of youth shooting but also a Christmas favorite. An ideal way to teach proper handling and safety, the iconic BB gun features a wood stock and forearm along with a lariat ring with leather saddle thong. The platform weighs just over 2-pounds making it light enough for kids to easily wield.

Priced around $40, the Daisy Red Ryder BB Gun is a perfect means to ease your youngster into shooting without going full live fire. Grab some safety gear when you nab the Daisy Red Ryder BB Gun, lest you put your eye out.

2. Savage Axis II XP Compact

Savage Arms offers a full package deal with its Axis II XP Compact platform. Created for the youth shooter that wants an all-in-one gift, the redesigned Axis II XP Compact ships with a factory-mounted, bore-sighted Bushnell Banner 3-9x40mm scope for a true out of the box, ready to go rifle platform. The bolt-action rifle comes packed with similar features to Savage’s adult rifles, including the AccuTrigger. Savage Arms’ AccuTrigger is user-adjustable allowing shooters to fine tune trigger pull to their custom preferences.

Featuring a 20-inch button-rifled barrel, the Axis II XP Compact uses a rugged synthetic stock that can withstand the rigors of your little buddy’s first hunting outing. Measuring 40-inches in overall length and weighing in at 6.2-pounds, the compact rifle is perfect for smaller shooters. The Axis II XP Compact, chambered in .243 Win, retails for $484.

3. Winchester SXP Compact

Who doesn’t remember the first time they pulled the trigger on a pump-action? The Winchester SXP Compact is the perfect entry for young shooters looking to break into shotgun shooting. With a compact, 13-inch length of pull the shotgun is specifically crafted to accommodate smaller statured shooters. Boasting a satin walnut stock, the classy Winchester SXP Compact is equipped with a back-bored 26-inch barrel. Weighing just over 6-pounds, the 12 gauge can tackle 3-inch shells.

The Winchester SXP Compact is packed with features to include an Invector-Plus choke system, hard chrome-plated chamber and bore, black chrome bolt and Inflex Technology Recoil Pad. The Winchester SXP Compact is equipped with a crossbolt safety that can be easily operated under supervision. The Winchester SXP Compact touts a price tag of $399.

4. Mossberg Patriot Youth Super Bantam

Mossberg brings a 20-gauge pump-action shotgun to youth shooters under its Patriot banner with the Mossberg Patriot Youth Super Bantam. The shotgun is engineered for youth shooters, shipping with a stock spacer that grows as kids grow. The spacer allows for length of pull adjustments from 12-inches to 13-inches.Available in a classic black or with a Muddy Girl Serenity stock, the Mossberg Patriot Youth Super Bantam features an overall length of 39.75-inches with a weight around 5-pounds. The shotgun’s barrel measures 22-inches with chamber measuring 3-inches. The Mossberg offers a capacity of 6-rounds total. The Mossberg Patriot Youth Super Bantam is available for the holiday season with a price hovering around $450.

5. Keystone Crickett

With a history steeped in first time youth shooting, Crickett Synthetic Stock Rifles bring a .22 approach to young shooters looking for a basic entry level rifle. The single-shot bolt-action Crickett Rifle weighs 3-pounds with an 11.5-inch length of pull on am overall 30-inch platform. Featuring an adjustable rear peep sight and a fixed front sight, the rifle is also drilled and tapped to accept Crickett scope mounts.

Available in a variety of Hydro dipped color options, Crickett rifles come with a lifetime warranty. Priced between $160 and $250, Crickett Synthetic Stock Rifles prove an excellent gift perfect for unwrapping during the holidays.