Son's First Rifle buy

[WardenWolf]

I'm going to point this out, since no one else has:

A Mosin Nagant is NOT pleasant to shoot, even for many full-grown adults. That gun is big and heavy (not a problem for adults, but for a 14 year old it could be), and kicks HARD. While there are some adults who enjoy the feeling of power, it won't be pleasant for a 14 year old and will turn him off to shooting. Get him a gun he can enjoy, not one that's so excessively overpowered as to actually hurt him.

 

[alemonkey]

What could you possibly have against the finest .22 ever produced?

Nothing against the 10/22 per se, I just don't know if I'd call it the finest .22 ever produced. I used to think so, but my horizons have broadened since then. The first 10/22 I bought was exceptionally accurate from the factory, but others I've shot haven't been as good. There's definitely nothing wrong with having one for your first gun, though. Just saying there are a lot of choices out there.

If he likes WWII milsurps, I think a No.4 Enfield for a first centerfire rifle would be great when he gets to that stage. The .303 is a soft recoiling round, relatively quiet, and without a lot of muzzle blast. The more I shoot it the more I appreciate that round.

The L-E is kind of a heavy gun, but that will help soak up recoil. Plus the No.4 has very good sights and is accurate. Learning to shoot with iron sights is a good thing.

By the way, congrats on having what sounds like a great kid. Sounds like you're raising him right - responsible gun ownership AND responsible with money. Very few parents these days do either, and it's not helping society.

 

[Brian Dale]

Sounds like the kid has a good Dad.

 

[ShakyJake]

Choosing Own first gun

Hi J&J
It is obvious that your and your wife's hard work in the formative years is beginning to pay off. It is hard but rewarding to stand back and watch the decision making process in operation. What was actually chosen was not nearly as important as the reason it was chosen. Great job by all of you. Good shooting in the future and your next proud moment will be when he out shoots you the first time. The pride will be something else.
TaKe CaRe
Ted

 

[yokel]

Teens naturally go for the military issue rifles so he would do well to get the K98k along with a case or two of 8mm Mauser Romanian military ammo on strippers.

When speaking about Mauser, words like legendary, venerable and original are always part of the description.

You'll never outgrow a rifle this powerful and accurate!