Starter rifle

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Gouranga

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Hey everyone I know THR will help me out here.

I have a co-worker who has a 14 yr old son. She wants to pick up a 22lr rifle for his first gun. He is already a hunter (with borrowed firearms), and this is supposed to be just for fun plinking type stuff not hunting. it is sort of a family tradition in their family to give the youngin a rifle at this age. She is looking for something easy to use, yet fun. Also would like it to last a long while.

She has about $350-400 to spend. Any recommendations you would have for that range? I was hoping to give her a few options she could look at.
 
Plenty of options in that price range. I guess it depends on what type of action s/he wants. In a bolt I'd say Savage MK-II. Semi-auto I'd go with a Marlin model 60 or possibly a Ruger 10/22. But then again, in my mind nothing says "cool" like a Henry lever action. It's got a sense of history and tradition built right in IMHO.

Hope that helps.

b

EDIT: I did just read that he's 14. I might be typecasting here, but I bet he digs Call of Duty and Halo more than John Wayne and Clint Eastwood. In light of that, I'd consider a Ruger SR22 (Labeled as "THE COOLEST .22LR EVER!" on Ruger's website) or a S&W M&P22. Man.. this thread is making me feel old...
 
My first .22 was a marlin model 60. Great for plinking around. I'd highly recomend it
 
A Marlin 39A would be my first choice-but-it may be out of their price range.
Second choice: Marlin model 60-great gun for the price.
 
Considering I'm 14 my vote may be more valuable,
Savage MK-II's are nice, Id grab one in a sythetic stock with iron sights..
but for semi Auto the ruger 10/22 stainless carbine appeals to me. as does the "tactical" 10/22 with the flash-hider and rail.
but I got MY first OWN rifle that wasnt borrowed in october, my Howa M-1500 .308
I didnt really want to keep shooting .22
I have a Marlin 795 synthetic, MY second OWN gun. and a pre 80's marlin model 60 on loan from dad.
I like em all. as Do I like the Winchester 1200 I have from Grandpa on LOAN.
and the winchester Model 67 he has down there I learned on.
Bolt actions rule though. teach kids not to blast first.. cause when I blast I actually hit the target because of learning accuracy first.. :D
 
y'all got me drooling lookin at those. Great choices so far. I am pushing this list to her as I get them. That Henry is real nice, I am a sucker for lever actions though, I don't have one yet.

She was not too sure on the action she wanted but so far this is a great cross section for her to look at.
 
Since her budget allows, I think the CZ Youth rim fire would be a good choice unless the 14 year old doesn't need the smaller rifle.

It is single shot, adaptable to clip feed I think, so it could work for beginner or someone who matures to a more experienced shooter. Bolt action.

I'm told it is the same basic product in action and barrell as the 452 platform which is superb.

One can be had new for $275-$300.

Kinda want one myself and am considering it for a Grandson.
 
From what she told me, he has long lanky arms and does not do as well with a smaller rifle. Yes his mother used the term "lanky" lol.

I know my first real 22lr was 2 actually. I got a 90 yr old single shot 22lr that my grandfather learned to shoot with (like that old fellow) and I got my grandfathers bolt action 22lr Remington Sportsmaster 512 which I still love taking out now and then. It is unfortunate that he does not have a family hand me down but on the plus side, he will be getting a shiny new one he can hand down to his kids.
 
I'd go for the 10/22 and use the left over budget to buy aftermarket stuff so he can personalize/tinker with it.
 
If the kid is big enough to handle a full sized gun, I don't think there are many better than the CZ-452. They are built to last a lifetime, but I am unsure of price at this point in time.
 
Another vote for the 452... I just picked one up in 17 mach II and love it...There is a lot to be said for the marlins, rugers, and savages for "beginner" rifles, but when it gets right down to it, at that age, I think he would understand and appreciate the greater quality of the CZ..

Let me explain... Rugers are fun and will shoot shoot and shoot some more, but they are a dime a dozen and he would have to really customize it to have something different.... then you have damn near 1000 dollars tied up in a 10/22

Marlins, once again are great rifles that tend to be a bit more accurate than the rugers OOTB, but they can be had for under 200 bucks all day long and their fit/finish shows just that... also, if he is borrowing for hunting and other purposes, it really is a step back....IMO

Last, but not least, the Savages... IMO, of the less expensive options, this is a good one, a good Savage bolt will be very accurate and will no doubt be very appreciated...

A CZ will essentially take the Savage to a somewhat nicer level and be a .22 that all of his friends dont have and something that will never look out of place in even an extensive collection.

Also, I will toss out another suggestion. That being a Henry or Marlin .22 lever... Now THAT is a load of fun.

Whatever the choice, I am sure it will be very appreciated.
 
I really like my Marlin 795, but if magazines are going to be an issue I'd get its tube-fed cousin the Marlin Model 60.

If semi-auto is going to be an issue I'd get a Marlin 39 (lever) or Savage Mk. II or CZ452 for a bolt action.
 
I would try to come up with a little more and go for a Marlin 39a. Not many kids have one of those and it will last forever. I'm still shooting mine that Dad got for me back in 1952.
 
Henry lever (pick a model, they're all pretty spiffy).
Ruger 10/22 or Marlin 795 fitted with tech-sights and a sling, ready for Appleseed.
Wannabe M4gery, if that's his thing.

Or ... let the kid tell you what features he wants and what rifles he's borrowed that were comfortable to shoot, and buy based on that.
 
marlin 39a, price around to different pawn shops and talk them down to a resable price. the gun will last forever and teach him to place his shots. also its rifle sized, good for the future.
 
For a super cool .22 add about $80 to that budget, and get a Smith and Wesson M&P 15-22.
 
id say the marlin 60 is still the best out there that he would likely continue to use ive had mine for about 25 years and I still use it although mainly for frogs maybe the occasional groundhog in the garden, gave up squirell hunting and rabbit hunting long ago but I still like frog legs, who doesn't accurate rifle that will get him used to a semi autamatic rifle at an early age.
 
Another vote for any CZ and the Marlin 39A. A new CZ can be had in the stated price range, the Marlin not so much but worth the price new or the search used.
 
I'd get a 10/22 if it was me. Then they can customize it anyway they'd like. If they want a bolt action I'd get a Savage Mark II.
 
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