Rifle Question (Absolutely Pure Vanity)

I am currently in the market for a good used beginners .22 Cal. rifle for my 12 year old son (and some fun for Dad!).

We have looked at new and used single-shot and semi's at the local gun shops. (We came across a Glenfield .22 semi-auto with adjustable front and rear sights. It also had the bridge for a scope. Unit was in very good condition for $75 at a local gun shop.)

I realize that many good .22 Cal. rifles can be purchased new for $200 or less. However, money is tight.

I have a friend who has a Remington Model 33 bolt action single-shot Model 33 that he is willing to sell. He also has a Mossberg Model 152 semi-auto with 4X scope and sling. (As yet, I have not had the opportunity to see these rifles.)

Through what research I can do on "Goggle", I am having difficulty in finding a resource for the value of used guns.

I am tempted to offer my friend $100 for both the Model 33 and Model 152. Is this fair?

For a first rifle, you're probably right to go bolt-action. That gets away from the video games/rapid fire mode that ruins good shooting. Look at your son's arm length, and start out a little longer - he'll grow into it, but don't go too big or heavy.

Scopes are hard to get used to, then they're even harder to do without. Just a basic rifle, big targets to start, lots of attention to safety, patience and praise.

Every trip to the range should be a special day, bring a picnic lunch and just spend quality time talking & plinking. These memories you're giving him are a gift that he'll be sharing with his son and grandson, just like your father and grandfather shared their memories with you.

Thank you struwwelpeter!

I agree with everything you said.

Safety training is NUMBER 1.

We found that his arm length mandates a full length stock.

"Every trip to the range should be a special day, bring a picnic lunch and just spend quality time talking & plinking. These memories you're giving him are a gift that he'll be sharing with his son and grandson, just like your father and grandfather shared their memories with you."

That is my primary purpose in this endeavor.

Thank you and God Bless!

Your welcome
You might enjoy these Mark Twain gems.

http://www.twainquotes.com/Guns.html

I was armed to the teeth with a pitiful little Smith & Wesson's seven-shooter, which carried a ball like a homopathic pill, and it took the whole seven to make a dose for an adult. But I thought it was grand. It appeared to me to be a dangerous weapon. It had only one fault--you could not hit anything with it. One of our 'conductors' practiced awhile on a cow with it, and as long as she stood still and behaved herself she was safe; but as soon as she went to moving about, and he got to shooting at other things, she came to grief.
- Roughing It

Clemens poses with a pistol
shortly after a burglary at his home in
Redding, CT., 1908.
Photo courtesy of Dave Thomson

Smith & Wesson .22 caliber
First Model revolver photo courtesy of
Dave Thomson

The Allen "pepperbox" photo
courtesy of Dave Thomson.

George Bemis . . . wore in his belt an old original "Allen" revolver, such as irreverent people called a "pepper-box." Simply drawing the trigger back, cocked and fired the pistol. As the trigger came back, the hammer would begin to rise and the barrel to turn over, and presently down would drop the hammer, and away would speed the ball. To aim along the turning barrel and hit the thing aimed at was a feat which was probably never done with an "Allen" in the world. But George's was a reliable weapon, nevertheless, because, as one of the stage-drivers afterward said, "If she didn't get what she went after, she would fetch something else." And so she did. She went after a deuce of spades nailed against a tree, once, and fetched a mule standing about thirty yards to the left of it. Bemis did not want the mule; but the owner came out with a double-barreled shotgun and persuaded him to buy it, anyhow. It was a cheerful weapon--the "Allen." Sometimes all its six barrels would go off at once, and then there was no safe place in all the region round about, but behind it.
- Roughing It

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