Posted on 01/04/2016 1:41:55 PM PST by cornfedcowboy
My 14 yr old has done a good job saving some money and would like to purchase a .22 rifle. Probably lever action. Don't need anything flashy, but something that won't break the bank. Probably around $300 although I am happy to help him with the $$ if more money is needed. He will use it to walk through the woods and hunt squirrel and rabbit. Would love any Freepers advice what to look for or stay away from. He is a good kid and will keep up on the maintenance.
Not a bad price. Henry makes several grades and the lowest I was aware of was around $400. Buds always has good prices. I stand corrected.
I agree with you. My first gun was a single shot bolt action (I forgot the brand), I think with today’s kids it also teaches patience coming from rapid fire video games. It also keeps the ammo bill down and you can use both long and shorts in them, if they still make shorts.
Henry’s AR7.
The 10/22 is the most customizable, plus it comes in that handy take-down configuration.
Oh, yeah, Rossi makes lever guns, you might check those out too.
If you just want a nice entry level .22 for a first gun at a good price, Marlin model 60. I personally don't care for the 3/4" diameter scopes that often come attached to .22's, particularly the Marlins but they can always be replaced with a real (one inch) scope or a more modern optical sight like an aimpoint.
Ruger 10/22 is the industry standard and is always worth a look too. I'm kinda intrigued by the takedown model myself.
I echo the Marlin 60 suggestion. Great, easy to use gun.
A blued Henry .22 lever-action is around $280 at Walmart here in Texas. It is absolutely a work of art!
Hmmm... I use Avast and got right in without warnings.
My vote is for the 10/22 Ruger.
I miss my beloved 10/22 that sunk in a boat accident.
Buy it soon. You never know what Obama is going to do. Stock up on “banana” clips (yes I know it’s a magazine)
Good luck finding .22lr ammo though. Last I saw some on the shelf is was $10 for a box of 50. Pre Obama it was about $8 for a box of 550.
(Many years later we both qualified for DCM Garands, still using a shared rifle.)
Fully agree! A bolt action (single shot or clip magazine) should be a first gun for a kid (mine was a single shot Winchester). They do still make shorts and CB caps as well a the primer only Colibri rounds.
Sez you!
1. When hunting for the pot you aren't after bear.
2. wolves and coyotes don't differentate between RF & CF.
3. When raising a kid you go for responsible ownership and use, not image.
4. If it had been legal (cough), I'd have carried a pocket sized Browning .22 for years and felt quite secure in that choice...but a HS Supermatic on the front seat would have made me pretty comfy driving during past riots (looks nasty).
5. And so forth, not to mention the HS Mil(s) we always had in the arms room back in the day.
My first rifle was a bolt action. I still favor them. They are rugged, accurate and will feed more kinds of ammo without jamming than a lever or semi. Semi’s offer a kid too much temptation to squeeze off rapid shots without careful aiming. .22 ammo has been tough to find for a number of years, so you should encourage careful shot placement.
You might find a quality used bolt action at a gun show.
They still make shorts.
marlin
For my money, there is NO better .22 choice than a used (old) Mossberg but most on the market are the heavy target models us old timers learned on in school and/or scouts.
Happy New Year bro......
Lever action .22; Henry.
Any recommendations?
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