Need Help Buying Gun

4-17-02 | PaulJ

[PaulJ]

My fellow Freepers have always been able to help me and I need your help again.
I have an 11 year old who is in the Boy Scouts and had his first experience with target shooting (air rifle)about 3 years ago. Two years ago we bought him his own air rifle and he saved up and bought a CO2 pistol.He loves it and seems to be a natural and is a great shot. I am now considering buying him a 22 but know nothing about them. I looked around the internet but couldn't find any helpful information.
I have never owned a gun but think it would be a great father & son thing to get into. He has only done target shooting but has shown some interest in hunting small game.
Here's where I need your help. What should I look for in a rifle? How much should I plan on spending? Are there any good web sites that are informative? What else do I need to know?
Any information you can give me will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[Pern]

I have a boy the same age, and he loves my Ruger 10/22. Lightweight and easy to shoot. Fired thousands of rounds in mine without a hitch.

http://www.ruger-firearms.com/rfrimfire_auto.html

Ignore the prices on the website, you can get one at Wal-Mart for about $150.

[fourdeuce82d]

I'll chime in- I would suggest a single shot, bolt action .22. Ruger, Marlin, Winchester are all good brands, don't know if any particular one makes a single shot.

advantage of a single shot is it teaches concentration, and lends itself to focusing on each shot. Wait until you both have some experience before going to a semi-auto and hsoing down the tin cans. Also, make sure and get some training in gun safety from an NRA certified trainer.

have fun!

[First_Salute]

Various gun stores in your locale, may have on hand, a fine, used bolt action Marlin; such rifles were the standard at summer camp, "way back when."

[AFreeBird]

I'll chime in- I would suggest a single shot, bolt action .22. Ruger, Marlin, Winchester are all good brands, don't know if any particular one makes a single shot.

Well, I like you're idea of a single shot for the concentration aspect over a semi-auto, but I would still make it a repeater. My first .22 was a Marlin lever action model for .22 short/long.

You still get the concentration aspect of a single shot, but not the hassels of having to reload all the time. Such a rifle is longer than the Ruger 10/22 of which I also have one, and a little heavier. Still, it was a good first firearm for me.

[sharpaxe]

www.ruger-firearms.com or www.marlinfirearms.com are good sites for information. I still have a Mossberg 342K bought 44 years ago - my first rifle. I don't believe Mossberg is in that market anymore. A shame.

[dd5339]

Dittos on the single shot bolt action and the NRA training. Shooting with a single shot will teach the shooter to make the first shot count.

I remember many times of going out to the junkyard to shoot rats. I killed many more rats with my single shot than I ever did with my semi automatic. It's all about the discipline of picking your shot carefully to make it count.

Speaking of first rifles, my 4 month old daughter already has her first rifle in the safe at home, a single shot Remington 22.

Semper Fi!

[the]

There was a good thread about this back in December. It started as a posting of a (barf) anti-gun piece, but then it turned into a shopping list for junior's .22!

Gunmakers Urge That Children Get Guns For Christmas

[jonascord]

A Model 52 Winchester, either in the standard light barrel, or a match version with a heavier barrel. Bolt action, has to be cocked by a pull-out plunger for every shot.

Many a charging rat fell, stopped in the very nick as they attacked, with their blood-chilling squeals, as they burst out of the undergrowth...

[ExpatGator]

PJ, You are right it is a very good Father/Son activity and a good Father/Daughter activity and an all around great family activity. My wife and our three children and I shoot together often.

We got our youngest a Keystone Cricket single shot when he was six. It is a small framed .22 and still fits him at nine years old (a big nine). The Ruger 10/22 is the best .22 for the money, and if the reach to the trigger is too long you can find a youth sized, after-market stock for it in the Shotgun News (a periodical which can be picked up at your local WalMart or gun shop).

The only disadvantage that I would see with starting your son or any child off with 10/22 is that it is a semiauto. I like the disciplined procedure that a single-shot forces a kid to go through.

Just my two centavos on the subject. I hope you find a good deal on a firearm and that you and your son enjoy many hours of safe shooting.

[facedown]

...I would suggest a single shot, bolt action .22. Ruger, Marlin, Winchester are all good brands,...

I'm with these guys - the discipline of a single shot is very important to learn as young as possible. Otherwise a young shooter gets the idea that "If I miss the first shot - no big deal, I've got plenty more."

He'll "grow into" a semi-auto soon enough!

[mbynack]

I agree with several of the responders who recommended the Ruger 10/22. I bought one thirty years ago and have fired more than 10,000 rounds through it without a problem. I taught both of my children to shoot using it.

You can load one round at a time and use it like a single shot if you want or load it with 10 rounds and fire it semi-auto.

[Lanman]

Here is an old thred from back in '99. A lot of great information. Some of it may not pertain to your need, but still a good read.

So You Want To Buy A Gun

[Eagle Eye]

What the heck, I'll add my 2 cents also.

The Ruger 10-22 is tough to beat and will be something he'll never outgrow. Used bolt action .22's about and are cheap.

Also, consider a handgun in .22 as well. The Ruger Mark II is another reasonably priced .22 that will last a lifetime. With either of the two, buy extra magazines so that when you go shooting someone can be loading while waiting their turn to shoot. I've got 4 mags for the 10-22 and 5 for the Mark II and that keeps everyone occupied when we go out shooting.

This may be one of the few threads where people aren't shouting out recommendations for Kimbers.

[SGCOS]

Why play games?

Get him a cannon.

Tight budget? Try a bazooka.

[PatrioticAmerican]

Gotta agree, a Ruger 10/22 makes an excellent first rifle.

[AdA$tra]

Put me in the Ruger 10/22 crowd. Inexpensive, high quality, FUN, durable.....could go on all day. Best $150.00 I have ever invested in a firearm.

[PatrioticAmerican]

P.S. Many stores offer a free 4x scope when buying a Ruger 10/22! About $150-$200 total.

[TheBattman]

My suggestion....

A bolt action, either single shot or repeater (I personally like a repeater, but my first was a single shot). Depending on the size of the kid, you should consider a "youth" model. If the kid is large for his age, then a standard model would be logical.

Would be a good starter rifle. I have developed an affection for Savage rifles. My most recent aquisition is a model 93 in .22 Magnum. The thing shoots so well, I really want a .22 LR.

Save the Ruger 10/22 for after you both have gained experience. Although a reliable (and fun to customize) gun, it is not for beginners.......

Also, big dittos for the safety course (NRA does some really great courses).

[Rebelbase]

Ditto the Ruger 10/22. Last I checked it was around $159.99 at WalMart.