Son's First Rifle buy

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J&J

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My 14 year old son has been looking at different rifles for about 4 months. He has been on a wwII kick and was considering a M1 carbine, Springfield 1903, etc. All a real stretch for his wallet, but I was willing to let him decide how to spend his own money. He alread has a single shot rossi .22/410 that I bought a few years back to learn on. He decided to not sell that or trade it in, he said, "so I can teach my son how to shoot with it"... gotta love that.

We spent another hour or so at the local gun shop today. He handled a bunch of differnet weapons, including...
sporterized springfield 1903 (this was his initial choice)
SKS
K98 Mauser
Hi Point 9mm
Saiga 223
Ruger 10/22

Several of the guys at the shop suggested he consider that 10/22. It alreeady had a tapco pistol grip stock and was used, but looked like it was never shot.

I am glad to say he chose the 10/22. He had enough money to get that rifle, a couple high capacity mages and a 500 round box of ammo. He already mounted a red dot on it and is itchin to get out and make it go bang...

I'm proud of him for making the decision on his own and spending his own hard earned, hard saved cash. Walked out for under $300 all said and done...

Nice.

John
 
J & J

What was your son looking to do with his first rifle? It seems to me that since he already had the Rossi in .22/.410, that he would have got a more utilitarian caliber for hunting or just target shooting. Just an observation on my part. I hope your son enjoys his rifle though whatever his pursuits are. Practicing one's 2nd Amendment Rights is one of the greatest gifts this country offers. Enjoy the experience!:)
 
yes, i agree with the "young thing" i am a 15 yr old gun freak; haha, but i never had a .22- i skipped and got a browning a-bolt in the .300 mag variety!
 
Don't know if I agree the 10/22 should be every kid's first, but I agree a .22 of some sort should be. Even for adults who have never shot before.
 
I've been shooting since I was 8 and the first rifle I ever shot was a Bushy 5.56.

But my first rifle was a .22.

I now own 6 firearms (In order of purchase or obtaining):

Marlin Model 80 .22
Steven's M77f 20 Gage.
Karabiner 1931k 7.5x55 GP11
Mosin Nagant M1944 Carbine
Harrington & Richardson Topper 58 12 Gage Single shot
Savage Model 110 .243 Whinchester
 
He wants it mostly for the range, although I think he might be open to some squirrel and rabbit huntung at some point. He chose the 10/22 because..

1) he had the money and would not need help from me. For example, the SKS was listed at $349:what: so he could have bought the rifle, no ammo and I would have to help. I would have, but his decision was to NOT GO INTO DEBT... yes, he is a good young man...:)

2) he can afford ammo. less expensive ammo = more shooting = better shooter

3) It is pretty darn cool I must say... pistol grip, collapsible butt stock, rail on top, concealed rail on bottom, storage in the grip... I like it... so the third and final factor was... the COOL FACTOR...

While he has been shooting for a while, he is just getting to where he wants to put rounds into somewhat of a group. The 10/22 may not be a tack driver, but he will be able to hit golf balls around at 50 yards and break clay discs at 100, and I think that will satisfy him.

So we took it to the range today and got it zero'd as we worked on his breathing, finger placement on the trigger, trigger squeeze, etc...

All in all a good day.

John
 
The first firearm I ever shot was a 10/22 when I was six on a Nevada hunting trip. It left a special impression on me.

I think that the impression and feeling of self worth that you've created for your boy by helping him save and purchase a quality weapon will stay with him for a long time. I hope too to be a father like that soon.
 
i just got a henry lever 22 youth for my little girl. she 7 and going to have to grow into it. its still to big. so dad will make sure it shoots good for a couple more years
 
I'm 15 and last year I bought my 1st rifle (my others were good ol' hand me downs except for the .410 my grandfather have me). It's a Remington 700 SPS Varmit and in March I bought a thumbhole HS stock. I'm very pround I bought it and the assesories for myself.
 
My first rifle (besides a daisy daisy bb gun) was 10/22. Good choice for a 14 year old as he can afford his own ammo and can shoot thousands of rounds without breaking the bank.
 
My boys are going to get a Marlin 60 as their fist rifles. Can't disagree with going for a .22LR to start with, but can't see parting with good money for anything made by Ruger.
 
If you would have let him get the hi point that would have been bad parenting and might have had the CPS on you. :p
Thats awesome he picked the 10/22. that is what my two sons got for their first guns as well. hes gunna love it.
 
From everything I've read the hi point 9mm carbines are pretty decent. I don't like hi point but I'd sure buy one if I could find one for a good price.
 
i like the way my father tought me... i saved and bought what i could afford it was a winchester single shot 22 lr... about 120 out the door... he did the paperwork as i was only like 8 or 9 at the time, but i was proud of myself for picking it. looking back im glad i got a single shot because every time i pulled the trigger i could hear my fathers voice "if you want that rabbit better make it count cuz you only got one shot." donno if that made me better or not, but i like to think it did!
 
if your son can think logically when several good buys are staring him in the face, he's a step ahead of me :rolleyes: nice job
 
Pretty cool to see younger ones (also like myself -16-) out there shooting.

I only started about 5 years, but have grown quite a collection.
 
Try an enfield no.4 mk.1 with a good bore. They typically shoot good and the caliber is well established among u.s. hunters. It's also a good round to handload for.
 
Maybe and Mosen Nagant or Enfield would not be to much a strain on his wallet and they're both very capable rounds to use for hunting applications.
 
my first rifle was a remington 7400 30-06 and it was almost as tall as i was at the time. i could barely raise the thing steady at a deer and was afraid to shoot it on my tree stand. 10/22 sounds nice, good buy.
 
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