22lr for my son

[hmvan]

My oldest is turning 10 this year and it's time for a rifle. I'm looking for a .22lr, but not sure what. I want to keep it under $250. I don't know a ton about the .22 rifles, I jumped into handguns and larger caliber rifles. Any advise on this would be awesome, Thanks!


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[John Joseph]

Is he right handed? Or a lefty? Or do you want to get him a semi-auto?

[Garv]

Ruger 10 22 for semi.

[Red-Osier]

Marlin 60 for semi is another one to look at.

[Subotai]

A 10/22. He can start by loading one at a time. Then you can give him mags. After he gets older, he can customize it if he wants.

[roger1022]

Another recommendation for the 10/22

[hmvan]

Thanks! He is right handed. I was looking at a Marlin 795, any thoughts? 10/22 is pretty high on the list.

[Garv]

There is a very big thread here on the 795.

Edit: it is the second sticky in the rimfire section.

[Red-Osier]

The marlin 795 is a good gun also, Tube feed 60 vs magazine 795

[NaClAddict]

First gun? Get a bolt action. Teaches good shooting skills, saves a little ammo. Oh yeah, and a heck of a lot safer.

[M1NM]

I've still got my Marlin 99 I bought in 1968 still working fine. If you go Ruger find an old one. Recent Ruger guns have quality control problems. Also with an early gun you'll get anodized receiver instead of painted. Walnut or bass wood stock. Metal barrel band and trigger group. I had 3 old ones I sold last year. They were nice and brought $25-50 above what new 10/22s cost. I recently bought a 50th aniv 10-22 breaking my no Rugers built after Bill Rugers death rule.

[snowdog650]

Another vote for 10/22.

I believe every American should own at least one.

[Divernhunter]

1st rifle or 15th get a semi-auto for a 22RF. The Marlin 60 is a good one since it has a tube feed. No mag to loose or wear your fingers out loading.
My 1st 22RF was a tube feed semi-auto. I started my daughter on a bolt action Chipmunk.......BUT she was 4.5 years old. It is a tiny rifle. Soon went to a cut down stock 10/22 and got tired of loading the mags. Bought her a Marlin 60 and have never looked back. Just gave her a 550 box of ammo and let her go to breaking clay pigeons she picked up from the trap range.

It was the smartest move I made. I now have a new Marlin 60 for her daughter when she is ready. It will be a couple of years since she just turned 1 last month. Bought a 2nd one for her next child whenever that is. I mounted scopes on all the 22RF rifles for them also. Just Simmons 22 scopes. I even got one for my 1st 22RF since it had a very old Bushnell 7/8" tube 4X scope since I got it in the 1960's. I also have a 10/22 with a 1" Bushnell 4X scope.

The trick to running a semi-auto 22RF is to run it dry(no oil) and when it starts to act up take the barreled action out of the stock. Then spray the heck out of it with brake clean spray. Work the action as you spray also. Put it back into the stock and go shoot. You will NOT cause it to wear out this way but it will shoot longer between cleanings.

Whatever you do ----Do NOT use a 3 piece alum cleaning rod on it. You will ruin the barrel. Most of the time brake clean spray and a bore snake will do, OR a good coated(or SS) one piece rod and some solvent. Actually Wipe-out foaming bore cleaner works just great.

[sonofeugene]

How about a vintage Mossberg or other brand bolt? Bolt is simple and reliable and he gets an "antique" as well. And most of those old 22's are very accurate.

[stevec223]

A new ruger bolt action.. Or a older bolt action.. Iorn sites to learn to shoot.. A scope later to learn to shoot with a scope.. Don't handicap a new shooter with a rifle way over their head.. Learn to shoot,, then move up.. Short cuts skip the knowledge you will one day need.. Drive and learn a stick shift first,, a auto trans is a luxury option.... My .02.. Cheers..