Youth Next Level .22LR, Advice Needed

[Skylerbone]

As the title implies, I'm looking for a .22LR rifle for my 8 yr. old son. Next level refers to his having outgrown the Chipmunk. He's a good size kid, 4' 9" and growing fast but still lacks the physical size and stature to wield my Marlin bolt action.

Thus far his range time has been limited (for the most part) to SA revolvers and his single-shot rifle. I'm contemplating something with a bit more fun factor and have temporarily narrowed the choices to an M&P 15-22 with retractable stock or a 10-22 similarly configured.

Now here's the rub: I've heard numerous reports that the Smith can and has fired out-of-battery, a serious concern. The Ruger with aluminum chasis weighs in a pound heavier, a negative in this case. I have been familiarizing him with the AR platform and love the idea of starting him young but I'm hoping for feedback from end-users on these two. Price is not the factor, a size he can grow in to is. Thoughts?

 

[cbrgator]

Would a regular AR lower with a dedicated .22lr upper be too heavy? He can really grow into that because you can just throw a normal upper on there when he's ready.

 

[Manny]

Myself, I really like the Ruger SR22 rifle, has the reliable 10/22 action and can quickly and easily be adjusted to fit a wide variety of sizes. I love the solidity of the heavy chassis much more than the flimsier, though lighter S&W 15/22. I wanted to like the little S&W, but can't... too darn flimsy feeling. I will say that Mas Ayoob praised the S&W as a great training aid that served a young relation of his that became a marine very well.

 

[Skylerbone]

I have a RRA I could convert but I want his rifle to be his. Without hugging the bench he lacks the strength to hold my AR for any length of time. I've thought the same about the M&P's construction but I keep coming back to weight, especially for woods carry. Thought about a standard 10/22 but LOP was perfect with my Operator Stock fully retracted.

 

[gazpacho]

Browning BL-22 Micro Midas

Browning Lever Action 22LR

This is a quality lever action rifle, perfect for a child. It is a firearm that can last a lifetime, and even pass down to his children. I personally wouldn't let a young child handle a semi-auto until he/she has solid experience with a manual repeater.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

CZ bolt gun. He will come to appreciate the fun factor of a very accurate rifle.

 

[Skylerbone]

Oh he'll have plenty of nice rifles to pick through as will little sister and brother. I'm the only sibling who will be inheriting firearms and I've my own safe well stocked to boot. I've seen the CZ in action, in fact my son put a few rounds through one in exchange for a few magazines run through a 1911 I had out that day.

The big thing for me is I started with oversized and grew up to, first shots ever were a 12 ga. single-shot that spooked me, then a 77/22 and an 1100 in 12ga. It's more about fit and fun for him, he's been given the run-down on safety, handling, cleaning and disassembly for years. Much of his training has been from my father who spent some 4 1/2 decades in military and law enforcement; firearms have never been taboo in our family.

While the majority of his time has been spent with SA/single-shot I have allowed him to fire my AR, a TC Encore .50cal, 1911 in .45ACP, a Beretta .22 semi-auto and my mother's Browning TD .22 repeater. The Browning would be ideal size and weight wise were it not tube fed.

I know I'm already sounding like a guy seeking affirmation on what may appear to be an iffy choice but I've thought things through for some time and I don't believe my son will become the unsafe ammo waster we've all run into at the range.

 

[zeek96]

cz442

My suggestion is a cz442 if you can find one. Its light, accurate, can get w or wo steel sights and put a scope on it. Teach the accuracy and function first the the semi later. The skills will last a lifetime. Just my 2 cents. Sorry tablet keyboard strikes again look at the cz 452

 

[Hondodawg]

You sound exactly what I went thru. My 8 year old son out grew the Cricket. We tried marlin, savage youth models even youth shotguns. Best fit was a browning bl22 micro. Which my wife has already claimed when he out grows it. I didn't want a semi auto I felt he was to young still

 

[jim243]

Have you asked him which one he likes??? This is going to be his gun to shoot right? While he can't purchase or own one for another 10 years, it would be nice to include him in the choice.

I would suggest a 10/22 with a ATI stock, right size and light weight. Was what I used for my daughter.

Jim




They do have a compact size at 34" and 4.5 lbs.

http://www.ruger.com/products/1022Compact/models.html

 

[Skylerbone]

Here's a quick rundown on available current .22lr inventory and dislikes with each (for him):

1. Marlin 25N bolt action, magazine fed, scoped: too long/heavy.
2. T/C Encore Pro Hunter single-shot, irons: too long/heavy.
3. Henry Lever action, tube fed, scoped: too long/heavy, tube fed.
4. Browning SA-22 semi-auto, tube fed, scoped: tube fed, no irons.

He's been shooting about 4 1/2 years now, I'd like to stick to iron sights and, as I have 1913 mounts on multiple scopes and RDS I was hoping for a railed receiver.