Need suggestions

[H2oPumper]

When my dad bought me my first 22, our neighbor who sold guns recommended a bolt action with a removable magazine. Bolt is about a safe as you can get and when you take the magazine out, you separate the ammo physically from the gun. That steered us away from a tubular magazine. It was a full size 22 Marlin 780 and I still have it today, nearly 30 years later. A micro 22 will certainly be outgrown a a few years. Don't rule out the Marlin 22 in you search, the one I have is a very good rifle.

 

[kenken]

I would more than likely go with a 10/22 and cut the stock to fit. And when he gets older, he will have something that he can modify to his taste. I will soon be on the same quest as the OP because I have twin grandboys that will have to be getting their first gun and Pop is the one that is going to get 'em.

kenken