OT: A New 22LR for my son......I need help.

[Bogie35]

Hey folks.

I want to get my son a 22 rifle for Christmas. He's almost 10 years old. I really like the basic Henry. My question is:

Is there a less expensive repeating rifle than the Henry that you would recommend? It doesn't have to be a lever, but I really don't want a single shot. And he would rather it look like a real gun instead of "kiddie colored".

Thanks for your help!

Sincerely,
bogie

[Warhawk]

I bought a youth model Henry for my grandson, who turns six today. He's not quite ready for it yet, and I might not be willing to part with it when he is <G>.

The youth model Henry is a dandy little .22, "a trapper" with an inch shorter stock. The only 22 repeaters I can think of that might be cheaper would be a Marlin or Savage bolt gun, or a Marlin semi auto (Cabelas has a Marlin 795 for $99 in the current sale ad).

[BobM]

How about a Savage or Marlin bolt action repeater?

[Pete44ru]

There's not much out there, besides the H001 Henry .22lr, that you can buy new for less than $250 these days, and not have it colored like bubble gum.

If you'll check in the Henry section, over on http://www.rimfirecentral.com , it'll be plain to see that many adults (me included) just love them - and if you get your child one, it'll most likely be kept for life.

.

[AJMD429]

The Savage's and Marlin's are excellent, and both are usually quite accurate. No lever-gun I know of sells for less than the Henry.

Don't discount the option of a breakopen, because you can get one for very little cost, and probably can get a 'combo' say in .410/22LR (where there are two different barrels you can quickly put on the frame without tools in a matter of seconds) for about the same cost as most bolt-repeaters.

Then the little guy would have TWO (or three) guns in one, because he then could for minimal cost add say a .243 Win barrel in a year or so. Rossi makes the little 'combo-guns' like that for VERY reasonable cost. As most breakopens are, they tend to be very accurate, too. Many 'standard' pairs and trios are available, and you can order add-ons pretty flexibly.

More on the Rossi combo guns - http://www.rossiusa.com/product-details ... umbseries=

This trio has a .22 LR, 20 gauge shotgun, and .44 Magnum barrel...



If he's petite or not shot much yet, maybe do the .22LR/.410/.243 or just the .22LR/.410 set.

Here's a couple of nice articles on the Rossi's:

- http://www.womenhunters.com/rossi-wanda.html
- http://hunting.about.com/library/weekly ... edpair.htm

Budsgunshop.com has the .22LR/.410 for $145 delivered to your FFL - http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/prod ... s_id/39687

Or in stainless for $162 delivered - http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/prod ... s_id/51893

The .22LR/12ga/.44 Mag is $272 delivered - http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/prod ... s_id/53835

And $240 for .223 Rem or .243 Win with 12 gauge...

[Bogie35]

Thanks guys.

I saw the Savages and Marlins, but I've never handled them.
Are they of good quality for the price?

AJMD, that combo idea is something I haven't thought of. What do you think of this one?
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/prod ... s_id/18965

bogie

[Bogie35]

How about this Mossberg Youth model?
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/prod ... s_id/53813

bogie

[AJMD429]

What do you think of this one?
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/prod ... s_id/18965
bogie

Yep = but they show 'out of stock' there. Could try TheGunSource.com.

The ones I added/noted in my earlier post show all 'in stock' at the moment...

[bsaride]

I had my 16 yo neice (petite) try several types of rimfires.
Ruger 10/22 scoped.
Winchester M52 (1929) heavy target rifle with Lyman receiver and globe front.
Marlin 39 (1927) with a peep on the barrel and Lyman 17 up front.

She used a rest and prefered the M52. I bought her a Savage MKII GL (left hand)
as she is left eye dominant. I mounted a globe up front and a vintage Redfield receiver
rear (uses 22 dovetail).

She really shoots this well and I would endorse the Savage MKIIs

[86er]

My boys are 3 and 4 yrs old respectively and I got them both a Henry Youth Model. The big guy can shoot it - the little one just sort of points and shoots. Your son is bigger and should be able to handle it well. Mine is very accurate and reliable with plain ol' Federal bulk ammo. It's so good I'm gonna borrow it and temporarily scope it for late season squirrel hunting.

[Dave]

There is always the Ruger 10/22. They are $200 new at WalMart here and you can find nice used ones at pawn shops even cheaper.

[Bogie35]

...Budsgunshop.com has the .22LR/.410 for $145 delivered to your FFL - http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/prod ... s_id/39687...

Thanks! That one didn't come up when I did my original search.

And thanks to everyone for your input. I'm getting excited now, so I'm headed out to Wal-Mart to see what they have on the shelf!

bogie

[2ndovc]

I bought our oldest a Savage MKII .22lr at Wally world for $129.99 for Christmas just a couple years ago.

He's Autistic and mentally handicapped. He can't remember from one range day to the next how to shoot his
brother's 10/22 or my Marlin 39a but the little bolt gun makes perfect sense to him. He actually out shoots his
youger brother with his Savage.

I took it to the range one day and was stunned by what a great (and accurate) shooter it was!!

Great little rifles!

jb

[AJMD429]

I'm getting excited now, so I'm headed out to Wal-Mart to see what they have on the shelf! bogie

Unless your Wal-Mart is better than our small-midwestern-town one, you'll be lucky to find a couple boxes of ammo, let alone an actual g-g-g-gun. Ours quit selling those scary things a few years back...

If you come back empty handed, BudsGunShop will generally get what you order in the hands of your local FFL within 7 days maximum, assuming you have a debit or credit card to use. (I stoke up my debit card in advance and if I've been frugal with gas money, snack money, and so on, every few months I have enough to see what Bud's has for me... ) Most FFL's charge well under $20 for such transfers.

[wilko]

buy the henry !!!! american made and priced right. I hunt with it. check out rimfire central to see how incredible their customer service is...

buy american !!!

[airedaleman]

I'd go for the Henry. I think it's one of the best dollar-for-dollar buys on the market today, and the company stands four-square behind its products. (I bought myself one for my 70th birthday back in May!)

Something to consider is the fact that the supervising adult can instaneously see if the rifle is cocked.

Repeating hammer guns are a good bet for beginners; there's no more fun than rolling a can or making multiple hits on some sort of reactive target. That's why I found a Model 62A Winchester under the Christmas tree back in 1950. (The rifle was stolen back in '76 - my Henry is kind of its replacement.)

[Ysabel Kid]

I saw a .22 semi-auto repeater at the Wally-World a couple months back that was just over a c-note! I think it was a Marlin or a Remington - can't recall for sure. I looked at it as I was thinking about picking up something for my nephew and originally thought about restoring something, but heck, at that price for a new gun, I'd be hard pressed to beat it.

If I could only have one .22, I hate to admit it, it wouldn't be a lever - it would be the Ruger 10/22. It's a bit more expensive but well worth it!

[deerwhacker444]

Fellow Levergun member Jeff Quinn had good things to say about the Rossi Combo over on Gun Blast.com

[Rusty]

Bogie, IMNSHO you can't do any better than to get him started with the NEF Versa pak you have listed from Bud's. Personally I love my Handi Rifles. But be careful they can be addicting. Purchasing just one has been know to turn someone into a Handiholic.

[AJMD429]

I looked at it as I was thinking about picking up something for my nephew and originally thought about restoring something, but heck, at that price for a new gun, I'd be hard pressed to beat it.

But you have to admit, a 'handmade' gun like the pink one you made for your girl just can't be beat!

[mikld]

I too agre that the Henry is an excellent choice. But, if you consider a semi auto the Marlin Mod. 60 is a very good gun. It has a huge following similar to the 10/22 crowd (not quite as many accessories though). Check out rimfire Central.

http://rimfirecentral.com/forums/

[jazman]

I vote for a Henry youth model or large loop like I have. It has been just a great gun for me, eats everything I feed it and is about the smoothest lever out of the box I have ever shot. Good company with excellent customer service also.

[Terry Murbach]

BOGIE, PM ON THE WAY TO YOU. LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK.

[AJMD429]

I still don't like to give 'kids' a semiauto until they have several years of shooting experience; part from a safety perspective, and part from a skills-learning perspective. If you have a single-shot you get to be a better shot, in my opinion, and value shot placement over 'volume'...

[horsesoldier03]

I would opt for the Marlin 60 or a Ruger 10/22 carbine. He will never outgrow those. A single shot .410/.22 may become frowned upon in years to come. The Ruger 10/22 is awesome. I just took my 12 yr old daughter out this weekend with ours. BOTH OF US shoot it. It is even more fun when you top it with a REDDOT Scope. She can keep all 10 shots in 2" circle at 50 yrds.

[Nanook]

I bought both my kids a Savage break open over / under 410 / 22 when they turned 10. I figured it was a safe gun for them to learn on and they could bird hunt and plink too! Just a thought.

[dennie]

I just read the flier for Dick's Sporting Goods. If you are considering the Henry, and have a Dick's Sporting Goods nearby, they have the Henry for $219 tomorrow and Saturday. That's as good as it gets here in SW Ohio. Might even check one out my own self!
Happy Thanksgiving to y'all.

[jlchucker]

What do you already have in your gun cabinet that might fit the bill? Perhaps down the road when the kid's grown, he might like to have a gun that was his Dad's-given to him by his Dad-and remember you on holidays like this one? Just a thought on family unity on Thanksgiving. By the way--I'd like to take this moment to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving today.

[PaulB]

10/22's? Borrrring (Homer Simpson imitation). I can't get excited about a gun everyone has, even if the reason they have them is because they are good. I guess that's why I don't ride Harleys either.

Probably out of the price range you are talking about, but my boy's CZ 452 is the nicest .22 I've seen. Remember, this may be a gun your son has his whole life.

[ab4ka]

While I'd highly recommend the Henry, if you just want to try something the Mossberg 702 Plinkster is a good way to go. They are cheap and reliable, and actually pretty good shooters.

[a357lever]

marlin m 60 petty cheap 165$
ruger 10/22 205$
or marlin bolt action 170$