Starter rifle

[unwise11]

guide him, then let him pick it out.
Seems I picked out my Howa M-1500.
I picked out the gun club to join.
I picked out the Nikon prostaff 3-9x40 I'm getting for Xmas.
I picked out the Leupold bases I'm getting from santa..

And I like all of them

 

[goon]

Other side of the argument - AR-15 .22LR copies do have a coolness factor, but for the price difference you're easily into a 10/22 or Marlin model 60 and a LOT of ammunition.
Ammo was always a killer when I was a kid. I used to scrounge in the couch cushions for change to afford it at times. If you can set him up with $100 worth of ammo in addition to the gun I bet he'd appreciate it.

But I still vote CZ-452 when it comes right down to it.

 

[Eb1]

For practical usage I pick Model 60. Have one, and wouldn't trade it for any other .22 LR. I did some trigger work on the gun, and now it is just the cats meow.

$140 for the Marlin Model 60
$40-$100 depending for the scope

That leaves $150 or so for ammo. And at $16.00 per 500 you could get close to 5000 rounds of Winchester Xpert (what my Mod 60 shoots best with as far as big box .22 LR), and that would last a long, long time.

The accuracy for a Model 60 @50 yards is untouched IMO for out of the box accuracy with cheap ammo. To be honest. You could leave the scope off the gun for a light weight .22LR that will be very accurate with a 14 year old's eyes. Sometimes I take the scope off my Model 60 because it is like carrying a walking stick. It is light, and is easy to shoot quick.

Marlin Model 60 is my vote on a serious note, but let him pick, and also look a few of whatever gun he chooses. I look at every gun of the model the store has before I make a choice. Some just look and feel better than others.