20 gauge youth Size or Henry Big Boy 357

[none]

Ok I have narrowed down and want to make the purchase this week. He has a Henry 22lr already and loves it. I have never shot a 357 before so I dont know what the recoil would be like and if it would be a bit much for an 11 year old?

[Oh Shoot]

Ok I have narrowed down and want to make the purchase this week. He has a Henry 22lr already and loves it. I have never shot a 357 before so I dont know what the recoil would be like and if it would be a bit much for an 11 year old?

 

.357 rifle recoil is quite benign, certainly significantly less than a 20 gauge.

 

- OS

Edited December 13, 2015 by Oh Shoot

[gregintenn]

...and 38 Special in a 357 carbine is something virtually no one would object to.

Edited December 13, 2015 by gregintenn

[none]

...and 38 Special in a 357 carbine is something virtually no one would object to.

That's where I am leaning fit finish and American made is hard to say no to.

[jeff43]

357/38,they are funnnnnn! I don't have a Henry 357 , but do have some some Rossi's and a Uberti.If you reload , you can shoot dirt cheap!

[Caster]

The biggest problems you and the wee lad will have with the Henry 357 will be who's turn it is to shoot and who's hogging all the ammo.
Get him a nice wall rack too. A Henry collection would be a thing of pride.

[Jeb48]

I have a Marlin lever .357. Would say it is between 410 at 20g in kick with .357 and  less than 410 with .38 Special.  It is fun to shoot, and the .357 is a much bigger boom than .38 Special.

[FreedomGunCo]

CZ 720 youth fits my 10 year old well.  He is big for his age though

[musicman]

I dunno if there's any shotgun that's more fun than a lever 357. I have a Marlin 1894C in 357, and a few different shotguns, pumps, semi, and single. I'd be ok if I had to sell/trade any of the shotties, but the 357 would be really tough.

If you hand load, light 38s are literally like shooting 22s if you use a stupid light load like 2.8gr Bullseye under whatever bullet. Hot 357s can be a hoot! A 158gr jhp/jsp over a case full of H100 or 2400 is just lots and lots of fun. I don't think I have more fun with any other gun than when I'm popping bowling pins with that Marlin.

Go lever. It's not tacticool, but it's different and just so much fun. I think it's also cool for younger folks to use something that's so involving, meaning learning the skills to efficiently load a mag tube and work that lever.

[musicman]

Just realized you said he already has a lever gun. Well... it needs a big brother!

[runco]

I am going to go against the grain, if your son has a 22LR already, the next natural gun for a young man is a shotgun.  The pistol caliber lever action is fun, for grown men, hence why everyone is pushing you to the Henry 357, but everyone should wait in line for their super fun gun after the pecking order:

 

No. 1 & 2 can be transposed:

1.) 22LR Rifle

2.) Shotgun

3.) High Power rifle (bolt action)

4.) 22 Pistol

5.) Whatever floats your boat

6.) Whatever floats your boat

7.) Whatever floats your boat, and on & on

 

Insert gun safe anywhere in between in the list above.

 

If you buy the 357 Lever rifle, is it for your son, or is it really for you Santa?

Edited December 15, 2015 by runco

[TNWNGR]

I have a Marlin lever .357. Would say it is between 410 at 20g in kick with .357 and  less than 410 with .38 Special.  It is fun to shoot, and the .357 is a much bigger boom than .38 Special.

 

Ditto!!! A lever action .357 Magnum rifle is pretty cheap to feed too if you do any reloading and if you shop around a bit you can find a used single shot  or pump action .20 gauge for less then you realize. That way you both get to play with the rifle.