1st Gun for my fast growing young man. What should it be? - Page 2

Tom357 · April 28th, 2006, 12:59 PM

Where I grew up, a lot of the boys would get out of school for dove season. As I recall, those that started with shotguns generally started with .410. Those of us who started out plinking, like I did with my grandfather, started on .22's. If I were you, I would start him on .22, and once he had the basics of marksmanship and maintenance down, then expand to shotguns.

kansas_shooter · April 28th, 2006, 01:11 PM

I have a rossi pump .22 and love it. The 10-22 is great because you can customize to your liking (stocks, magazines, etc). Most importantly is the time you spend with your child and HAVE A GREAT TIME !!!

RjVA · April 28th, 2006, 02:42 PM

I have to say a shotgun. I started out at about the same age, with a 16gauge double. This was given to me by my Grandfather who also taught me how to properly handle a firearm. The hunting trips we enjoyed, instilled in me respect for the animals we were harvesting and also helped me learn, the leathal nature of the weapon that I was now responsible for...

Rugerman · April 28th, 2006, 03:25 PM

I thought every boy's first gun was a 22lr

Delta Force · April 28th, 2006, 09:12 PM

I would get him a Marlin Bolt action 22.Thats what I got my oldest daughter but I got hers in 22 magnum so she could use it for more than target practice.

WJP9 · April 28th, 2006, 09:27 PM

.22 rifle for all the reasons mentioned. Another great option is the
.17HMR. Better distance and flatter projectile, better for varmint hunting, more room to "grow" with the gun. Hornady has some awesome ammo out for these. Price point on the rifle is not far off from a good quality LR.

This is a great page and must see resource for .17 test results:
http://www.varmintal.com/17hmr.htm

CopperKnight · April 28th, 2006, 10:46 PM

Another vote for .22. Couple of opinions here. A 10/22 is a good gun and versatile and will last forever. I was tought on a single shot bolt .22. The idea being that it forces you to learn the basics of shooting and to make every shot count. Have to use good form and plan each shot. Graduate from there to something with more firepower after the basics of good riflemanship are learned.

Shotguns don't focus enough on the concentration and thinking through the steps for a first gun.

My two cents worth, anyway.

PatrioticRick · April 28th, 2006, 11:15 PM

Ruger 10/22

rocky · April 28th, 2006, 11:20 PM

To add, shotguns will not teach precision or fine motor trigger control like a rifle will. Also , try to find a short stock so it fits your youngster. My 9 yr. old likes shooting the AR better than the .22 , because the AR has the collaps. stock. (shorter length of pull).

Bumper · April 29th, 2006, 12:24 AM

Put me in the .22 rifle column, as well. Good choice to learn gun safety and marksmanship with....

April 28th, 2006, 12:59 PM	#11
Tom357 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Richmond VA Posts: 693	Where I grew up, a lot of the boys would get out of school for dove season. As I recall, those that started with shotguns generally started with .410. Those of us who started out plinking, like I did with my grandfather, started on .22's. If I were you, I would start him on .22, and once he had the basics of marksmanship and maintenance down, then expand to shotguns. __________________ - Tom You have the power to donate life.

April 28th, 2006, 02:42 PM	#13
RjVA Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Ruther Glen, Virginia Posts: 108	Shotgun.... I have to say a shotgun. I started out at about the same age, with a 16gauge double. This was given to me by my Grandfather who also taught me how to properly handle a firearm. The hunting trips we enjoyed, instilled in me respect for the animals we were harvesting and also helped me learn, the leathal nature of the weapon that I was now responsible for... __________________ "Sic Semper Tyrannis"

April 28th, 2006, 03:25 PM	#14
Rugerman Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Kalifornia Posts: 570	I thought every boy's first gun was a 22lr __________________ George Washington: "A free people ought to be armed."

April 28th, 2006, 09:12 PM	#15
Delta Force Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: NH Posts: 460	I would get him a Marlin Bolt action 22.Thats what I got my oldest daughter but I got hers in 22 magnum so she could use it for more than target practice. __________________ Have Fun and Shoot Straight!

April 28th, 2006, 09:27 PM	#16
WJP9 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 764	.22 rifle for all the reasons mentioned. Another great option is the .17HMR. Better distance and flatter projectile, better for varmint hunting, more room to "grow" with the gun. Hornady has some awesome ammo out for these. Price point on the rifle is not far off from a good quality LR. This is a great page and must see resource for .17 test results: http://www.varmintal.com/17hmr.htm __________________ -Bill "I don't step aside. I step up." -Vic Mackey, THE SHIELD.

April 28th, 2006, 01:11 PM	#12
kansas_shooter Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Kansas City, KS Posts: 317	I have a rossi pump .22 and love it. The 10-22 is great because you can customize to your liking (stocks, magazines, etc). Most importantly is the time you spend with your child and HAVE A GREAT TIME !!!

April 28th, 2006, 10:46 PM	#17
CopperKnight Moderator Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Spokane area, WA Posts: 4,832	Another vote for .22. Couple of opinions here. A 10/22 is a good gun and versatile and will last forever. I was tought on a single shot bolt .22. The idea being that it forces you to learn the basics of shooting and to make every shot count. Have to use good form and plan each shot. Graduate from there to something with more firepower after the basics of good riflemanship are learned. Shotguns don't focus enough on the concentration and thinking through the steps for a first gun. My two cents worth, anyway. __________________ Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect, but that you've decided to see beyond the imperfections. The only thing that stops bad guys with guns is good guys with guns. SgtD

April 28th, 2006, 11:15 PM	#18
PatrioticRick VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Rigby, Idaho Posts: 3,311	Ruger 10/22 __________________ Molon labe Μολὼν λαβέ -"Come and take them!" King Leonidas I of Sparta. USN/USAF Retired/Desert Shield/Desert Storm DAV Life Member NRA Life Member

April 28th, 2006, 11:20 PM	#19
rocky Senior Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: MI Posts: 12,046	To add, shotguns will not teach precision or fine motor trigger control like a rifle will. Also , try to find a short stock so it fits your youngster. My 9 yr. old likes shooting the AR better than the .22 , because the AR has the collaps. stock. (shorter length of pull). __________________ "In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." Thomas Jefferson Nemo Me Impune Lacesset Link to my kydex builds:http://rocknloadkydex.blogspot.com/

April 29th, 2006, 12:24 AM	#20
Bumper Administrator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Arizona Posts: 14,703	Put me in the .22 rifle column, as well. Good choice to learn gun safety and marksmanship with.... __________________ Bumper Administrator DefensiveCarry.com Forum Coimhéad fearg fhear na foighde; Beware the anger of a patient man.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode