Kimo

Hi All, Need some help. My oldest Boy is turning 12 years old soon and I wont to get hem he’s first Gun for he’s birthday. Should I get hem a 20gage shotgun or a 22 rifle? In your opinion what would be the better chose to teach hem the fundamentals of gun ownership.
Thanks for your time.

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rocky

.22 rifle. Les expensive,less recoil, less noise. If he is anticipating the recoil, he might be jerking or flinching. Basics are easy to teach without the recoil. Maybe look into NRA JR. programs if he enjoys shooting. sure taught me more about fine rifle control than even my dad knew. Every kid should get a .22 bolt gun.

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Nemo Me Impune Lacesset

Link to my kydex builds:http://rocknloadkydex.blogspot.com/

srfl

I'd start out with a nice .22 LR rifle....perhaps a bolt action.

If you elect to go the semi-auto route then I recommend the fine Ruger 10/22.

After explaining the mechanics of his first rifle, safety, stances, ammo choices, etc. and he demonstrates an increased level of proficency and interest, maybe then get him into shotgunning.

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Tubby45

20ga is more versatile. Bird shot or slugs. Might be pricier than a .22, but you get two with one stone. My first gun was a NEF Pardner 20ga 26" single shot break action shotgun. Kmart special for $70 back in '93. Still have it. I would rather have that than a .22, IMO.

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rocky

If you go bolt gun , you can use .22 short, long or LR. CB rounds are great starting out , because no need for earplugs , and easy to instruct with.

__________________
"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/

Redneck Repairs

ruger or marlin .22 would be my vote

Doc Holliday

I'd go with the .22LR. The 10/22 is probably the best bang for the buck and it is the rifle that I learned on.

Wait until he is a little older for the shotgun. I think the first time I fired a shotgun was at age 13.

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Give Doc the shotgun.
They'll be less apt to get nervous if he's on the street howitzer.

Why, Johnny Ringo, you look like somebody just walked over your grave.

I have two guns, one for each of ya.

AirForceShooter

.22 rifle and a WHOLE lot of ammo.
He'll have it forever. I still have mine and I'm 60 and shoot it to death.

AFS

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4my son

I have to agree with the .22 crowd. After I graduated from the BB gun, I started off with a Marlin .22, It died several years ago and I replaced it with a 10-22. That is going to be my sons first gun.

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P95Carry

Yes, another vote for the .22 rifle. It is something every gun owner should have in the armory and for a young shooter starting out it gives everything they need for learning good skills, safety rules and of course - cheap to run!

Small gauge shottie is good but for me that'd be #2 on the list - further down the line.

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Chris - P95
NRA Certified Instructor & NRA Life Member.

"To own a gun and assume that you are armed
is like owning a piano and assuming that you are a musician!."

If a BG dies as the result of pointing a gun at me, then he has merely succumbed to an occupational hazard of being a thug