Youth Airguns

At Barra Airguns, we believe new shooters are the future of our sport. To ensure they start off right, we've curated a collection of the best youth-friendly airguns, tailored to meet the unique needs of younger airgunners.

Featured Youth Airgun

1866 Junior Kit - Gold

$59.99

4 products

1866 Junior - Gold

Single Pump.177 BB/Pellet350 FPS

$49.99

1866 Junior Kit - Gold

Single Pump.177 BB/Pellet350 FPS

$59.99

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1866 Rosie - Rose Gold

Single Pump.177 BB/Pellet350 FPS

$45.00

1866 Rosie Kit - Rose Gold

Single Pump.177 BB/Pellet350 FPS

$59.99

Youth BB gun guide

Choosing a youth BB gun for a new shooter

A first BB gun should fit the shooter, keep power sensible and make safe habits easy to learn. This collection is built around the 1866 Junior and 1866 Rosie, the youth-sized versions of the Barra 1866. They are 5 inches shorter overall than the full-size rifle, so smaller shooters can shoulder them comfortably and reach the trigger.

Both use a single-pump action: open the bolt, give the pump arm one stroke and the rifle is ready to fire at up to 350 FPS. A safety built into the hammer keeps the rifle on SAFE until you cock it. They shoot .177 steel BBs from a 50-shot magazine, or .177 pellets loaded one at a time. The only difference between the two is the finish: gold for the Junior and rose gold for the Rosie.

Pick up steel BBs and a safe backstop, and read the answers below on age, supervision and safety before the first range day.

Frequently asked questions

What age is right for a first BB gun?

The 1866 Junior and Rosie manual lists them for ages 10 and up, with adult supervision required. Maturity matters as much as age: a young shooter should be able to follow safety rules every time, not just when reminded. Some states and cities also set their own minimum ages for buying or using airguns, so check the laws where you live before you buy.

Is a BB gun safe for a child to use?

A BB gun is not a toy, and a BB can cause serious injury, especially to the eyes. It can be used safely with the right habits: an adult supervising every session, eye protection for the shooter and anyone nearby, a solid backstop behind the target and the muzzle always pointed in a safe direction. Teach your child to treat the BB gun as if it were loaded at all times.

What makes the 1866 Junior a good first BB gun?

It is sized and set up for new shooters. The 1866 Junior is 5 inches shorter than the full-size 1866, tops out at 350 FPS and takes just one pump per shot, so there is no guessing how many pumps to use. The safety is built into the hammer, and the rifle won't pump with the bolt closed. It also shoots both steel BBs and pellets as skills grow.

How does the safety work on the 1866 Junior and Rosie?

The safety is part of the hammer. With the hammer forward, the rifle is on SAFE and won't fire. Cocking the hammer back until the red dot shows sets it to FIRE. Teach new shooters to cock the hammer only when they are on target and ready to shoot, and to keep a finger off the trigger until then.

What is the difference between the 1866 Junior and the 1866 Rosie?

Only the finish. Both are the same youth rifle with a single-pump action, 350 FPS top speed, 50-shot BB capacity and hammer safety. The Junior has a gold receiver and the Rosie has a rose gold receiver. Each receiver is ABS plastic with an electroplated mirror finish, the pump arm is reinforced nylon resin and the carbon steel barrel sits inside a steel shroud.