My SIL is shopping for her first handgun for her birthday (60yrs young). I'm taking her to a big gun show end of Feb. She'll have the opportunity to fondle everything under the sun. We'll make a list of her top 3-5, then I'll research them for her and present her with the options. Then we shop for price. She should be shooting by May. A first gun is special. I'd love to say 10/22 for the boys, but a bolt is the better way to start.
I would highly recommend the American. They are available in a couple different sizes to fit your needs
Another vote for the American. I was going to buy one for my 12 year old nephew, but he has been around guns and wanted a lever, so I got him the Henry.
Man imo ruger 10/22. You can get all kinds of accessories and those things are tack drivers. I got my daddy's before he past last June, one of the first 22's I've ever shot. Love it, and my son wears that thing out. He's 10 years old as well and handles it pretty well.
How familiar are your boys with gun safety? I have a Remington 510 single shot set aside for my daughter for her first gun. Any of those older Remingtons (Model 510 or 514) or Winchester 67's are HIGHLY accurate and can be found for around $150 if you're patient. They all will outshoot any of my .22's except for my Savage Mark II bolt action. But if they're past that point, I'd leave it up to them (or your preference) on bolt action vs semi-auto. The 2 most popular semi's are the Ruger 10/22 and the Marlin Model 60. I have both, and would give the edge in accuracy to the 60, but the 10/22 can go a little longer before it needs the action cleaned. The other main difference is a tube magazine for the Marlin vs a detachable box magazine for the Ruger, and high capacity mags are easy to find. Oh, and if you like to tinker the Ruger can be transformed into ANYTHING from a full on competition target gun to a "tactical" looking weapon and anything in between. The Marlin is pretty much stuck how it came. Really any .22 you find on the shelf is going to be pretty decent. I'm not aware of any crap being made, especially from the brands that have been around for awhile. I would recommend against getting a youth model if they can handle full sized guns OK. I have several friends that were given youth models as their first rifles or shotguns, and it seems like they all prefer to just buy another gun as they get older vs buying a new stock that would convert it to full sized, so those youth models all sit unused now. In my own collection my 7 year old finds my SIG 522 the most comfortable to shoot because of the pistol grip and adjustable stock. And she REALLY likes the 25 round magazines lol. But she doesn't have the strength to hold up the forend, so shooting offhand she does better with either my Model 60 or one of the single-shots which are much lighter.
The missus has one of those pink laminate stocked 10/22 with a 18"? barrel, and it's dead nuts reliable. I also have the Marlin Model 60, and I find it more accurate as well, but less forgiving when dirty.
My all out fun gun is a S&W M&P 15-22. With 25 round mags it can spit some lead. Adjustable stock and 10 round mags would make it suitable for growing boys. Not as accurate as the others mention in this thread, but it's fun factor is off the chart.
Can't go wrong with a Mossberg 702. I taught my daughters to shoot with it. Even with the 18" barrel it's deadly accurate with the open sights out to 50-60yds. Last I saw it was $109 at Wally World. I've dispatched many a fox trying to have my chickens for dinner with this little rifle. And just for fun, you can get a 25rd magazine for it.
Whatever you do, don't do what my grandpa did to my dad! Apparently Grandpa had a brand new Marlin 30-30 lever action in his had and was walking towards my dad with it when he was a boy, when his older brother (who was only 12 months older) walked in the room and instead Grandpa handed the gun to my uncle and told him it was his. Then he felt bad about and bought dad a Marlin .22 lever action. Dad is STILL upset about missing out on that 30-30! And all these years later, that .22 of Dad's has been passed on to my brother, but the 30-30 my uncle had is gone, probably pawned at some point. Grandpa also bought both my dad and uncle .410's single shots at the same time. The problem was he got my dad a youth model, and my uncle a full sized. Dad is still irked about that as well!
Take them to a CMP or Appleseed event both are nation wide shooting events focusing on teaching people how to shoot safely and accurately. CMP is the Civilian Marksmanship Program link to club search CMP Club & Competition Tracker | Club Search Apple seed link Project Appleseed's Rifle Marksmanship Program - AllOutdoor.com I don't know as much about Appleseed they teach some American history espicially revolutionary war history I've never attended one of these events. CMP is more focused on military rifles from WWI, WWII, and modern rifles as well as teaching people to shoot them accurately out to 600 yards. Most training takes place at 100 yards. Many of the clubs are very Jr friendly some offer scholarships. I highly recommend the CMP Once they learn to shoot safe and accurate then the really fun stuff begins!!! USPSA, IDPA, 3 Gun etc Note to all reading if you thinks saws are expensive I know guys who ammo/reloading budget would cover a new saw per month and they are not even semipro. Don't know if I'm glad or sad I'm not in this category.
Forgot to mention 22 cricket usually about $99 at walmart single shot bolt action great first rifle! From there you can decide what your goals are pest control vs target vs action shooting.
Good advice right there! I'm a range safety officer for project appleseed. The program is pretty much dead in indiana, (long story that I will not speak about) but another group teaching the exact same thing is quickly taking over and doing the same types (and more) of classes. All the appleseed instructors started this new group. I volunteer for this new group as well. Best $65 you will spend on instruction and that's 2 full days worth! I will say that with these events, a semi of some type is almost necessary. It can be done with bolt, but semi is preferred. If ammo is scarce, we have it to buy, at cost, at the events. We also have loaner guns of all sizes. lukem for more info on these types of events, pm me. We see kids that age every weekend, and you (and they) will be shocked at the improvement after 2 days. Even you will improve! If you dont, I'll pay for all 3 of you!
For sure, send me some info. Our 4-H rifle program is supposed to be pretty good too (or so I've heard). Nobody ever taught me how to shoot properly and I still have bad habits today that I don't even realize until afterward. Don't want the same for them.
Here is our website to give you an idea of what happens, the mission, requirements, etc. Revere's Riders | Shooting Sports – American History – Civic Engagement Shoot dates are for 2016 are still being worked out, so they are not posted to the website yet. I'm working on getting a list of tenative dates in areas somewhat near you. When we have them set in stone, Ill let you know. BTW, these events are honestly worth travelling for. We have shooters get hotels, camp, drive over an hour each way, each day, etc, just to participate! Once you get a basic rifle class done, you qualify for a Known Distance shoot at Camp Atterbury, where its centerfire, out to 400yds! There are 3 Appleseed shoots scheduled in Elwood, IN already, but honestly...If they don't have enough instructors, it will be cancelled. Plus, I'm sure you want something closer than that.
Dates not confirmed, but 2 shoots confirmed in Crawfordsville. Not too far from you. They also allow centerfire, fyi. Not all ranges do. Bedford and nashville usually get a couple shoots a year also. Stay tuned for dates.
Size wise a 10/22 fit them very well and was light enough with a synthetic stock for them to handle. The ruger American compact is pretty much the same size in a bolt action. I have been wanting a 10 22 for myself for a while and might just pick one up too. That tax return isn't going to spend itself....
Smart decision imo. The poly stocks usually don't have sling studs, so buy some of those, drill stock carefully, squirting epoxy in hole, and insert stud before epoxy sets.
