Like most dads who own guns, I really like taking my son shooting. We both have a good time, no one argues and we come home happy.
But finding a rifle that fits a smallish boy can be challenging, especially on a limited budget. Last month when we were back east visiting my family, my dad pulled out a box and asked me if I still wanted my old air rifle. I opened it up and sure enough, it was my old Baikal IJ-38 .177 air rifle.
Baikal IJ-38 .177 cal. Air Rifle
I bought this air rifle in 1990 to replace a cheap Chinese air rifle that my grandfather had purchased for me -- much to the annoyance of my mother -- two years earlier, and which I had shot to the point of failure. I think I paid $95 for the Baikal, and it was a great air rifle. The stock fit perfect, the trigger was smooth and it was accurate.
The first thing I thought was that if I could cut the stock back it would make a great air rifle for my son. The next day my dad and I took the rifle out to his shop and cut about 2" of the butt. My son put it to his shoulder and the fit was perfect -- we were set!
Shortened buttplate -- I think the wood is birch
Getting it home was another issue, but I convinced my mother to package it up and mail it off and it arrived on Friday. I put a couple of pellets through it back east, just to see if it still held air, and everything seemed fine. But I know it needs some TLC before I hand it over to my son.
Getting the rifle apart for maintenance is going to be uncharted ground for me, but my son's promised to help so it'll be fun to tear it apart with him.
Once the rifle is all cleaned and lubed it should be great. The receiver dovetail is 11 mm, so my existing scope base from my HW30 slides right on.
I'll post more pictures once we start tearing it down.
But finding a rifle that fits a smallish boy can be challenging, especially on a limited budget. Last month when we were back east visiting my family, my dad pulled out a box and asked me if I still wanted my old air rifle. I opened it up and sure enough, it was my old Baikal IJ-38 .177 air rifle.
Baikal IJ-38 .177 cal. Air Rifle
I bought this air rifle in 1990 to replace a cheap Chinese air rifle that my grandfather had purchased for me -- much to the annoyance of my mother -- two years earlier, and which I had shot to the point of failure. I think I paid $95 for the Baikal, and it was a great air rifle. The stock fit perfect, the trigger was smooth and it was accurate.
The first thing I thought was that if I could cut the stock back it would make a great air rifle for my son. The next day my dad and I took the rifle out to his shop and cut about 2" of the butt. My son put it to his shoulder and the fit was perfect -- we were set!
Shortened buttplate -- I think the wood is birch
Getting it home was another issue, but I convinced my mother to package it up and mail it off and it arrived on Friday. I put a couple of pellets through it back east, just to see if it still held air, and everything seemed fine. But I know it needs some TLC before I hand it over to my son.
Minor rust spots on trigger assembly
Just in case you wondered where they made Baikals
Basic but functional sights -- these killed a lot of soup cans in their day
Nothing fancy to see here
Close up of trigger unit -- so basic but so smooth
Getting the rifle apart for maintenance is going to be uncharted ground for me, but my son's promised to help so it'll be fun to tear it apart with him.
It's look a little dry here
Once the rifle is all cleaned and lubed it should be great. The receiver dovetail is 11 mm, so my existing scope base from my HW30 slides right on.
I'll post more pictures once we start tearing it down.
Oh perfect. I just bought the exact same rifle. I hope you can post photos of he refurbishment soon.
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I had the same rifle as a kid (since I was about 12). I'm 32 now and I still have it so it's of about the same vintage. I had to chuckle when you said that the sights killed a lot of soup cans. Sadly I also turned my sights on some wildlife including starlings and a very unlucky chipmunk. Would love to see what you do to fix up yours.
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