TABS and Seahawk et al - beginner gun buy question

M.D. Holloway · 10-02-2008, 06:37 PM

TABS and Seahawk and anyone else, our Son turns 10 in a few months and he has been bugging us for a .22 for 5 years now. We told him when he is 10 we will get him one and sign him up for gun safety and shooting time at the range.

So, the question is, what gun to buy? Does a .22 make sense or would a .17? or a .407? Or a .16 gauge shot gun? I would like to get him a rifle that he could use as he gets older. Not to hunt seriously with but for range work and blasting away crows and varmits on the farm.

Any ideas?

rouxroux · 10-02-2008, 06:46 PM

I would suggest a basic bolt action .22 to start with (teaches respect for the weapon/ammo and that every single shot should be well thought-out). After he progresses a while, I'd move him up to say, a 10/22...something that will STILL be fun to shoot with/mod in years to come.

legion · 10-02-2008, 06:48 PM

(My opinion.)

Get a .22LR. They are versatile and cheap. Every gun owner has one. Almost everyone has a Ruger 10/22. A bolt action Marlin with iron sights is a good starter IMO.

Don't get a .17HMR. They are far more expensive and powerful than a .22LR.

IMO, a 22LR is a gun that will last a lifetime. A 16 gauge will need to be upgraded to at some point (and they are expensive to shoot too).

BlueSkyJaunte · 10-02-2008, 06:54 PM

.22LR Bolt gun. Or, what the other guys said.

Find a range that does NRA shooting. He'll enjoy it.

VINMAN · 10-02-2008, 06:55 PM

I agree with the 10/22. Thats the gun I got my boys when they were ready.

elwood-914 · 10-02-2008, 06:59 PM

I have a 10/22 great little rifle. Sucked because my son was a 'lefty' shells ejected too close to his face for him.

DasBoot · 10-02-2008, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elwood-914

I have a 10/22 great little rifle. Sucked because my son was a 'lefty' shells ejected too close to his face for him.

DasBoot · 10-02-2008, 07:38 PM

I think a kid would have more fun with a 20ga. shotgun than a .22 (and could cause less damage, too). Trap/Skeet shooting, quail hunting, etc. is a lot of fun. Plinking cans/gophers/targets gets boring after awhile.

RPKESQ · 10-02-2008, 08:26 PM

depends. Where do you live? In a rual area where hunting is easily found, a 20 gauge is a great first gun. If hunting is not readily available then a .22 rifle is the ticket. If in an urban area then a .177 pellet gun can be shot in an apartment or garage.

DasBoot · 10-02-2008, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RPKESQ

depends. Where do you live? In a rual area where hunting is easily found, a 20 gauge is a great first gun. If hunting is not readily available then a .22 rifle is the ticket. If in an urban area then a .177 pellet gun can be shot in an apartment or garage.

Is personal ownership of guns allowed in France? If so, what are your gun laws like?

P.S. - Sorry, I couldn't resist...please forgive me in advance.

Jim Bremner · 10-02-2008, 08:57 PM

hell boy,

he's from Texaz...

B E L T F E E D!

Shawn 357 · 10-02-2008, 09:14 PM

Like others are saying a 22 is a great way to go. I can buy a brick of ammo for a 22 and have my little Brother shoot all day long for the cost of a couple rounds through one of my guns. 10/22's are a great rifle (I have one) but I think it is better to teach a kid on a bolt action personally. Don't forget to factor in the cost of a safe or some safe method to store the rifle and ammo...kids are curious. I prefer to teach a first time shooter in the desert or out where there are not a lot of distractions and I find that there is an added bonus of not having the intimidating (for the first time shooter) feeling of someone shoot a loud gun a lane or two over.

Some of my fondest memories are learning to shoot with my Dad and Uncles, have a good time.

HardDrive · 10-02-2008, 10:02 PM

I would say a bolt action .22 over a repeater of any sort. Just my 2 pence. Makes the kid stop and think between shots, lets him really focus on each shot.

He can go bang bang bang with a video game.

.410 is another option, but really only if you plan to hunt.

tabs · 10-02-2008, 10:07 PM

Ruger 10/22..great little gun...I recently took mine out and shot it....for the first time in about 20 years. Can buy used in great shape for about a buck fifty. I was surprised at how much fun it was.

My second choich would be a Winchester 94/22 lever action..they don't make em anymore...can be had for about $600 in NIB shape. another great little gun that is SURE to appreciate.

The difference here is the Ruger who gives a fk if ya roll over it with a car...won't cry, but just go bu another one.

I would stay with some oldie but goodie...like a Winchester 61, Remington mdl 12, Remington 241 or Browning 22 auto....last tow are really the same gun but the Reminton was under license.

For bolt actions nothing like a Winchester mdl 52 target, or the junior version the Mdl 75...the 75's are around $500 in great condition. Or try a Remington 37 or 40X..both are serious target guns as is the 52.

Also the Kimber 82 and Browning 52 which is a copy of the winchester 52 are fantastic little bolt action sporters...at 500 to 700. Premium stuff here.

Another ida that is great is a Springfield Aresnal MDL 1922 MI or MII 22LRs...these were built in the same govt aresnal in the 1930;s that the 1903 BA and M1 Garands were built in...the quality is 2nd to none. Springfield back in the day only built a half dozen International Match 22's...the reaso the MDL 1922 SHOT AS WELL....fantastic accuracy..these are truly sleepers in the market...they can be had for $950 to $1400.

Small gauge shotguns....ouuuu...Browning mdl 12 in 20 GA or 28 GA....about 700 to 900...they are recreations of the famous Winchester mdl 12...the newer version of the Winchester 42..410 is another keeper.

If ya have the dinero and want to buy something really special go buy a Parker Reproduction DHE SXS in 20 GA...they are going for 3700 to 4200....in 28GA...5200..2 barrel sets in 28 GA are already 6000 to 7000.

These are going to be pressing the 10,000 mark in the not to distant future. They are exact reproductions made in Japan they were made from the late 80's to early 90's. Consider this an orginal Parker DHE in 28 GA is a 35,000 to 50,000 shotgun...they made less than 100 back in the day. So they ain't makin the Repos anymore either..so guess what.

With any of these guns you can be proud to own them. With the exception of the Ruger all are KEEPERs for life.

The one piece of advice I can give is always buy the best quality you can afford. You can never go wrong, they will always hold their value and given time will appreciate.

With regards to 22 pistols....the Ruger 22 auto is a good 200 used pistol. Browning Challengers are a big step up in quality and are around 300.

Here is something that is a bit offbeat but is a great idea..try a High Standard Supermatic 100 or 101...for around 400 to 500 to get a real clean one. They were made in the early to mid 50's. Back in the day 90% of target shooters were shootin High Standards. I just picked one up for 420.00. One can get a High Standard HD Military for in the 275 to 400 range...they were postwar guns...fantastic shooters..the trigger is so light and crisp. the later guns even had interchangable barrels.

Wheel guns in 22 are the Smith mdl 17 and Colt Officers mdl or Diamond Back....smoooth....all are discontinued and are NO MORE> 450 to 550....with the Diamond Back at 900 to 1200.

I have had all and have shot most at one time or another.

tabs · 10-02-2008, 10:08 PM

OHHH Walther makes a great little 22 auto for about 250....

BlueSkyJaunte · 10-02-2008, 11:41 PM

Yep, the Walther P22 is a fun little peashooter. Even more fun with a can on it...

azasadny · azasadny's Garage

Mike,
My son has a .22 bolt-action rifle for plinking, a 243WSSM Browning for deer hunting and he shoots my Remington 12GA shotgun and 9mm pistols. I recommend a good quality .22 and a 20GA shotgun for a boy/young man. Get good ones and they will last a lifetime. Oh, don't forget a gun safe...

Seahawk · 10-03-2008, 03:20 AM

Lube,

There are a ton of folks on PPOT that are much more knowledgeable about guns than I am, but I'll give you my thoughts anywho

I tend to agree with those that think a bolt or lever action .22 is a better first rifle than a semi-auto. My son tended to "Rambo" the semi-auto (10/22) that I have rather than learn fire arm discipline...we fixed that

This was my first gun, a .22, my grandfathers gave me when I was 10. The pic is not my gun, but I still have the Marlin 39 my grandfather gave me.

For a first shotgun, I'd go .410. I bought Jack a cheap Russian made single shot .410 that has been superb. Once he got comfortable, we bought a used 20 gauge 870 Junior that he still shoots quite a bit. We didn't spend much for these pedestrian guns, but they work nicely for our purposes.

Oddly enough, I bought myself a field grade .410 o/u for myself a few years ago and I really prefer the challenge...so does Jack. Here is a link to the manufacturer...again, relatively cheap gun but we get out and hunt a bunch.

http://www.stoegerindustries.com/firearms/stoeger_over_and_unders.php

Let me know if you want the single shot .410...yours for the price of shipping and the FFL fee.

on2wheels52 · on2wheels52's Garage

Given that he's 10 is he big enough to fit a full sized gun? I'm thinking you'll be looking for a youth model XYZ or else shortening the stock (big value deduction, but there'll always be 10 year olds around).
For a one timer suggestion, a Marlin 15Y a single shot bolt action. When it becomes too small you'll have a better idea of what to move him up to next.
Jim

id10t · 10-03-2008, 03:50 AM

The single shot makers - NEF, H&R, Rossi - all have kid packages, usually a single receiver with 2 or 3 barrels - usually 22lr, 410 or 20ga shotgun, and a milder centerfire cartridge like 223 or 243. Retail is usually around 300 for the whole package. Covers all the basics. If you'd rather get "just" a 22, then I'd look at the Savage bolt action rifles. Very accurate and very easy on the wallet.