upgrade your kid's first rifle

Concept for drop-in folding stock to turn your kids Savage Rascal into a backpacking/survival rifle. ©AFD

Ever feel the most fun you’ve ever had plinking was showing your kid how to shoot a 22 rifle? Instructing them on safety and cleaning, helping them set up the sights and make their first shots? Did you marvel at their uncanny knack of hitting the target right off the bat? Kids seem to possess a clarity of focus unhindered by the woes of adulthood - and an in-tact confidence yet to be battered by the trials and tribulations of life - that instills in them zen-like abilities. No doubt the constant praise and attention we bestow on our spawn helps nurture these traits, but still their skills are impressive. Then one day we find they’ve outgrown their Rascal or Crickett and we go get them a grownup’s rifle. Sadly those mighty little starter rifles have little resale value so inevitably end up retiring to the safe, but what if instead of buying a new rifle we could simply size it up to match our kids’ new stature? Or better yet, what if WE as the parent could inherit it? To this day no one makes aftermarket stocks to give a Crickett or Rascal new purpose and an adult length of pull. Both have great little actions and good accuracy so with the right stock i.e. a folding one, these little shooters could enjoy an afterlife as a backpacking or survival rifle. Nothing is more utilitarian than a single shot bolt action 22 rifle, nor does any other survival tool allow for such efficient harvesting of food except perhaps a fishing kit. Having misspent my youth as the hunter-gatherer for an impoverished family of 5 I can attest to the remarkable effectiveness of the humble 22LR bullet, especially when bullets are scarce and shot placement is given priority. I can also confirm that the little Rascal is quite the Savage with a simple scope attached, or a small aperture peep from Skinner sights (they’re not listed on his website but he’s assured me he can supply them for those who ask). So, this is a call for someone in the plastic stock business to bring us a lightweight drop-in folding stock - ideally with an adjustable length of pull and integral sling slots/attachments - to give our little Rascals and Cricketts new purpose and/or help our kids grow up with their rifles instead of growing out of them. 

Feel free to use this (or any) idea we outline, exactly as described and without fear of copyright infringement - in exchange for 1)free finished-product samples, 2)running ads on the AFD and 3) throwing us a bone when you hit your first million. Thereby that’ll keep us brainstorming, up and running, lights on, coffee in the pot and beers on Friday! ED ​