[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."

[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.

[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.

[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).

[MarkL]

I'd say that one of the best values out there is the Ruger 10/22 for semi-autos. A terrific little gun, right out of the box. There are lots of accessories available for it.

My personal favorite is a Remington 571 (I think) pump action, that my grandfather gave me when I was 16. Terrific rifle, and quite accurate. It's got a tube magazine and can fire .22 short, long, and long rifle. If you like pumps, you might also check out the little pump action 22 Taurus, which I believe is based on the old Browning arcade .22.

Mark

[BigBlueJon]

The Ruger 10/22's are a great rifle for all around use for a .22. I've been looking at rifles from Henry Repeating Arms Company. They have a complete line of .22 rifles in different models. The Golden Boy is nice but pricey. The .22 Lever Magnum model is real nice. I have my eye on the compact U.S. Survival Rifle. Can be broken down with parts to be stored in the waterproof stock, and comes with two 8-round mags. Very cheaply priced and very handy. Cache and BLOAT with these babies.

[Willie Green]

Ditto the 10/22, however if your budget permits, start with a single-shot bolt action and pick up the 10/22 when he's a little older.
Nix the .22 handgun for the kid, he's too young. (Or any other cannon somebody might jokingly suggest.)
Especially if inexperienced with the rifle.
Take it one step at a time as he gains experience and continues to exhibit maturity and safe handling.
(Now if Dad wants a .22 pistol to enhance his own target-plinking pleasure -- that's a different matter.)
But teach the kid responsibly on the rifle first.

[infowarrior]

The Ruger 10/22, as a number of people have already suggested, is a reasonable choice if you're looking for a semi-auto, although for a first plinker I would concur with those who favor a single shot bolt, for the reasons outlined, to learn fire discipline...

the infowarrior

[FlyVet]

I owned a 10/22, and i was one of the unfortunate few that bought on that jammed all the time. Never could figure out why. Replaced the extractor, didn't help. I have a 77/22 now, a very solid rifle that shoots 1/2" groups at 50 yards. Caveat: did a trigger job on it, polished the hammer and sear, put a Timney trigger kit in it, glass-bedded the action. From what I've been reading lately, check out the Thompson Center .22 Classic. Looks real solid, and from the reviews, you'll get a semi-auto that shoots 1/2" group right out of the box. Hard to beat that. Fairly reasonable price also, for a precision piece that will last a lifetime.