Need a recommendation for a starter spoon
 

For Christmas for my 14 y.o. son. All I can think of is the 10-22.

Mostly for target/plinking. Any suggestions?

No one can not like a 10/22 for Xmas.

So you're saying the 10-22 is the best recommendation?

FWIW I saw a ltd ed. SS for 350 w/ checkered walnut stock...

FWIW, plain-jane Marlin/Glenfield model 60 semi-auto tube magazine .22 rifles are about $100 cheaper and shoot every bit as accurate if not better than a stock entry level 10/22. If money is a factor, you can't go wrong with a Marlin 60.

Both of my daughter's 60's will group quarter size from a sandbag at 50 yards. That said, I still would like to pick up a 10/22 someday when the daughters move away and I need another plinking/varmint .22 rifle. There is a huge aftermarket of goodies available for them.

Hmm, I'm far from an expert, but I think that a great rifle to learn on would be a single shot 22 bolt action. It's harder to get into the "pull the trigger as fast as you can" groove with one. Even though .22 ammo is cheap, it is slower (extends the fun) and you have to make every shot count.

Colt AR15! Very accurate, able to modify to your heart's content, will "grow" with him, teaches handling and operation of gas operated rifles... and no recoil!

Nothing wrong with a single shot, but a semi is much more fun to spend summer afternoon with and if cared for, will last a lifetime of plinking and varmint popping. If the kid enjoys shooting, he will end up wanting a semi which means a second .22 rifle purchase a year or two later. My grandfather bought me my first 12 ga single shot shotgun when I was 14 yrs old. While thrilled initially, it was not long before I wanted a pump shotgun like all my friends had. My girls are very good shots and they learned with a semi-auto.

While I love the 10/22 version, Steve is spot on with the comments on the bolt action. He needs to learn how to shoot, not pull the trigger and empty the mag. In the service we were given one round at a time, not the whole mag.

My vote would be for a bolt action .22, or a .410 shotgun. If you can hit it with one of these, then when you move up accuracy will not be an issue.

Can't go wrong with the 10/22 or the Marlin... I learned on Bolt Actions and a Remington Model 40 pump...

Consider a lever. Marlin 39A is the classic (I have one I've pondered selling because I don't shoot it) or spend less money and get a Henry's.

If you are buying lever don't buy a Henry... They are way heavy compared to a Marlin... Or the best lever I have shot a Browning....

I have the 39A as well as Henry's Youth Lever. The Henry is lighter.

The Browning has a slightly funky lever action (trigger moves with it). Some like it, others don't.

Re: bolt action - he has had his fill int he Scouts - that is all they use. He is "certified" on their bolt action and has some pretty good groupings.

Re: Lever action, I already own a Winchester 9422 XTR .22mag. I am not ready to give it up, but he does love it.

Re: AR-15 - we already have a mini-14 - in his hands it becomes costly! Thank god for the small clip.

I liked the little Remington 597. Synthetic stock. 10 shot clip that slows them down a bit. Package deal with a decent 3X9 scope is about $170.00. Only downside is it has no fixed sights so you have to use the scope.

Edit: Apparently you can get it with iron sights now. They also have a variety of grades now.

http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/rimfire_rifles/model_597/model_597.asp

http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/rimfire_rifles/model_597/

Hmm... For 10 shot semi auto fun there is the Walther G22... Iron sights, synthetic stock, dead nuts accurate, and super compact... About 350 with the Iron sights...

Of course you could blow the budget and get a sexy target/varmint 597:

http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/rimfire_rifles/model_597/model_597_tvp.asp

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1259624977.jpg


About $400 + scope

Evidently one man's "sexy" is another man's "Hideous".

Hard to go wrong with a 10-22.

It all depends upon whatcha wana do and how much ya wana spend. The 10/22 is a nice cheap all around plinker..and for a first gun is really nice.

If ya wana go for a BA

Winchester mdl 75...collectable and accurate

Winchester mdl 52..Target and/or Sporter..later recreated by Browning and then Winchester. Timeless

Remington 40X or 37 Range Model....for that precision shooter.

Kimber 82...

Springfield 1922 M2...has the feel of the 03...

Mauser DSM...for the feel of the 98

Stevens 416

For a SS

Stevens 414 Armory

Winchester mdl 85..

BSA Martini

Then again, for the same price as a 10-22, you can get him a Mosin-Nagant and 880 rounds of ammo. Big 5 sporting goods has the 1891/30 Mosin Nagant on sale regularly for about $100.

Another vote for a Marlin 39A.