.22 rifle

[tomd1584]

my first .22lr was a Remington Model 12c pump action. I learned to shoot that at 8, now i'm 26 and still have it.

I dont think its ever been cleaned, and it still shoots without an issue. Not sure how much they go for, but it is sure fun to shoot!

[rsrocket1]

How about a Marlin 925?
It is a bolt action with a 7 round clip. He will learn the slow, careful way to shoot and loading the clip is enough torture that he will not burn through boxes of .22's in a single session . When I shoot my 925 at the range, I simply load through the breech since I shoot so slowly anyway.

The 925 is very inexpensive ($160-$200) and also quite accurate out of the box. If your son is on the small side for 13, you might want to get a junior gun, but my 13 year old is 5'6" and can handle my .308 bolt action rifle and AR15 without flinching.

[rodent.22]

Lever action Henry, nice little .22, WalMart. Around $239.00 here in the East....Very smooth action. My 11 year old grandson loves it....

[USGI]

I started my grandsons a couple of years ago with a Savage Cub. I paid about $135 at Walmart, probably higher now. I thought it might be a better gun than a Marlin youth model, but I think they're OK too. The Cub might be a hair small for a 13 year old. My "boys" were 8 and 10 at the time.

[BigBoyPinoy]

Get a Marlin 39a, the older pre safety if you can find one. Super accurate to avoid frustrating the kids. Quality built that you can hand down to them and to their kids. Pick one up before they sky rocket in price due to recent news regarding Marlin plant move/close.

[C_1]

A bolt action would probably be best but I like lever actions. Check out the youth carbine Henry lever action rifle.

[ljdouglas]

I have a number of rimfire rifles, but the one that just flat FEELS like quality is the CZ. (military trainer in .17hmr)

[paradox]

I like my TOZ-78 (now sold as the Winchester Wildcat). It russian bolt action made in the famous Tula arsenal. It was a better deal in the TOZ days (~$175 vs ~$220), but even at the winchester price, you get a damn accurate rifle with a sweet trigger for the money spent.