I need recomendations for a .22 for a 12 year old.

[foolproofoak]

A guy that i work with has had a really rough year (his fiance passed away after a long illness), and he has a 12 year old son from his first marriage. I feel that this guy probably won't be able to afford to do much for his son for Christmas. That being said, my wife and i have no kids and decided that this year we would just do for others instead of buying each other gifts. Since I love guns, and know that his son enjoys them too i would like to buy a .22 rifle for this guy to give to his son for Christmas. I would like to stay within the $100-150 range. My thoughts are maybe a Mossberg Plinkster 702, a marlin model 60 if they can still be found in that range, or maybe find an older bolt action off the used rack at one of the local gunshops (my favorite .22 is a glenfield model 25 that i got for about 60 bucks like that). Any other options that i might have overlooked?

 

[afriqueart]

If you can bump the price up just a bit........Henry makes a darn good first 22!

 

[HAWKEYE10]

I think he would be thrilled at any 22 rifle you get him.
There is so many good little 22 rifles out there that it is
hard for me to come up with one gun. Just find one in
your price range and go for it. Don

 

[Class III]

Take a look at your local pawn shops. Some diamonds in the rough can be found on occasion. I picked up a 95% J.C. Higgins Model 31 at a pawn shop last Saturday AM for $25.00 OTD ($13.73 + sales tax + $10.00 TICS). I bought it solely for the stock as the pawn shop said it didn't fire. Took it home and started stripping parts off of her. The bolt and receiver were so gummed up with grease/oil/dirt/burned powder that almost nothing would move. I stood the whole thing in a bucket of K-1 Kerosene and let it soak for four days. Checked it Wednesday evening and everything was freed up. I cleaned it, lubed it and put it back together Wednesday night and shot it today. It shoots great

Class III

 

[SWID]

If you can afford to bump it up a bit I would get something that he will enjoy as an adult. That way he can keep it (and treasure it) all his life. I don't mean a Weatherby or some such, but something that will always be a joy to have.

Edited to say I think your idea is wonderful.

 

[reyno2ac]

I bought myself a Marlin 795 from Dunhams for $150 a couple months ago. Given that Marlin is offering a $20 rebate on the 795 right now, that would drop you down to $130.

If you have them around you I would call Dicks Sporting Goods, I've heard on a couple forums that they have them on sale for $120 and give you a $20 gift card. That would make it a whopping $80 after the gift card and factory rebate.

The 795 is a 10 round magazine fed .22 and comes with a little scope. I've had no problems with the rifle thus far and it has at least 1,000 rounds of Federal Bulk ammo from the local Wally World through it.

 

[Evil One]

My first rifle was a Marlin Model 60... LOVED it.
See if you can take him shopping for it, get the fit right and you get to watch the light in his eyes as you shop together.


Jim

 

[foolproofoak]

i would take him shopping for it, but i want it to come from his dad not me.

 

[truckemup97]

I, too, would suggest a Marlin 60. A good used one around here goes for $75 to $100. Then you could buy him three or four bulk packs of ammo to go with it!

 

[sparkgap]

Remington M-5 under $200.00

The Cabela's Flyer I received today has a good looking Remington Model 5 on sale for 199.95. You might be able to beat that with coupons.

It's a very nice rifle, laminate stock, blue, d&t, 5 round detachable magazine. What more could a 12 year old want.

This gun will last him a life time.

If I could stuff one more .22 in the safe I'd buy one.

Bob

 

[jkc]

I admire and applaud your selflessness, empathy, and approach to the "Christmas Spirit", (despite being a non-believer...).

In furtherance of your generous intentions, if you'll tell me how (PM me, provide PayPal account, or etc.), I'll contribute $20.00 to your rifle purchase budget, in hope you get the youngster a lasting treasure.

And, will invite any other members to do so as well...

 

[Old 44 Guy]

Just bought my granddaughter [15] a Marlin Model 60 with 2x7 Tasco scope at my local gun shop $110 out the door. Used but just like new. Deals can be found but you just have to look. Giving the rifle to granddaughter for Christmas.

 

[Bekeart]

Would a single shot be acceptable??

Single shot would reduce ammo costs and reinforce accurate aiming.

Bekeart

Look for PM



BRAZTECH 20GA COMBO YOUTH W/EXTRA 22LR SYNTHETIC STOCK

Specifications:
GAUGE 20 GAUGE/22 LR
TYPE ACTION BREAK
MAX CHAMBER SIZE 20 GAUGE-3"
WEIGHT 20 GAUGE-5 LBS/22 LR.-5.62 LBS
BARREL LENGTH 20 GAUGE-22" / 22 LR.-18.5"
OVERALL LENGTH 20 GAUGE-35"/22 LR-31.5"
METAL FINISH BLUE
STOCK FINISH BLACK
STOCK MATERIAL SYNTHETIC
CHECKERING Y/N Y
GRIP STYLE PISTOL
MONTE CARLO Y/N N
RECOIL PAD Y/N Y
SLING & SWIVELS Y/N SLING SWIVELS
INT. CHOKE TUBES Y/N 20 GAUGE- MODIFIED.

 

[Farmer17]

I would get a used Ruger 10-22 and he will not out grow it and it will always have good resale value. CCI .22 CB Longs will work through the magazine but they don't have enough power to work the bolt so you have to manually operate the bolt like a bolt action rifle. That way he won't have semi-auto ability until he is old enough and ready for .22 Long Rifle cartriges. The CB longs are a little less powerful than a .22 short and are about as loud as a pellet rifle.

 

[RogueJSK]

I snagged a great condition Marlin Model 60 for $100 earlier this year, so that gets my vote in the $100-$150 range. They run like a top, and the special rifling actually makes them slightly more accurate than other 22s in the same price range. Slap a cheap Simmons rimfire scope on it, throw in a box or two of 550 round .22 bulk packs, and he's set.

But if you can spare a little more scratch, we got our 12 year old a 10/22 "Wal-Mart Special" for Christmas last year, and he absolutely loves it. It's the version with the 22 inch stainless barrel (which is not found on other variations), no barrel band, and nicer hardwood stock that is sold exclusively at Wal-Mart. It was just under $250 after tax, IIRC.

 

[moosedog]

One of the lever actions, like the Henry, may be the best choice especially if he may turn out to be left handed.
Maybe a gift certificate to the dad so he can take to son and pick one out together.
You and your wife have a heart of gold.

 

[ingmansinc]

I would like to wish you both a very Merry Christmas, as moosedog said you both have a heart of gold.

 

[Smith357]

I would look for an old Winchester 67 or similar single shot bolt action that has altready been cut down into a youth rifle. There are many of these great old guns out there and they have little or no no collector value as they have already been chopped. I generally see a few of those old timers at gun shows under $100. They often need just a little bit of work to bring them back to life, such as removing the rust, doing some trigger adjustment, and re-crowning the barrel. If you know how to do those thing it's very easy to get a whole lot of rifle for very little money.

 

[gunlovingirl]

If you can afford to bump it up a bit I would get something that he will enjoy as an adult. That way he can keep it (and treasure it) all his life. I don't mean a Weatherby or some such, but something that will always be a joy to have.

Edited to say I think your idea is wonderful.

+1. I wouldn't get a kid's rifle. There are a number of choices, but if he is a beginning shooter, I would stay away from a semi-auto. I have a Marlin 881 bolt action that is very accurate and fun to shoot. As others have said, check your lgs and pawns. They may have a nice used one at a decent price, and they might even give you a little off if you explain what you're going to do with the gun. You definitely have a big heart, and are a wonderful friend! God bless!

 

[Dougdeb]

I admire and applaud your selflessness, empathy, and approach to the "Christmas Spirit", (despite being a non-believer...).

In furtherance of your generous intentions, if you'll tell me how (PM me, provide PayPal account, or etc.), I'll contribute $20.00 to your rifle purchase budget, in hope you get the youngster a lasting treasure.

And, will invite any other members to do so as well...

+1.
Things are tough around here (I'm between jobs right now) but I would love to kick in to help make Christmas nice for someone who sounds like they really need it.
I agree with a posting about avoiding a semi-auto. It's nothing against semi's (I have multiple) but I think that a bolt or lever gun would make a better starting gun. I like the Henry Rifles (the boy will love the Cowboy aspect of the gun ). I'm particularly fond of CZ bolt actions, but I think that they've gotten a bit expensive for your price range.
Good luck, and let us know how we can help.
Doug