Buy once cry once rifle for teen

[TheChief]

Looking for a rifle and caliber recommendation for a 12yo. Quality and capability are more important than cost. Ideally it would be something they could hand down to their children some day.

I am thinking 22lr but am open for ideas.

I am thinking bolt action so they learn how to shoot accurately.

This would be their rifle to carry and shoot if the proverbial balloon goes up.

Thanks

[edgerly779]

BS buy now and again and again as they grow up. If your crying your a cheapskate. Cheapest enjoyment there is , Enjoy the time with them as they join the shooting fraternity. Best dollars you will ever spend next to their education and health. It just gets better n better.

[jeffyhog]

I think a nice, quality bolt gun in 22lr is great for a 12 year old. Maybe something like a CZ 452 or 455. They're very nice rifles and something that he'll always enjoy shooting.

[BigStiCK]

H&K MP5. Proven platform, low recoil, small form factor, 9mm cheap and plentiful, easy resale if need arises.

[sonofeugene]

Yes, 22LR bolt. Maybe something you can add an inexpensive scope to.

[KevinB]

Get you child involved in hunting and fishing, he will be too broke to get into drugs and such.

[FeuerFrei]

My old man was a "bolt only" dinosaur and I broke new ground with a Winchester 9422 for my own first rifle. My trainer rifle was a hand me down. An old Western Auto bolt with a 5 rd mag and a fixed 4 power scope. Burned lots of ammo in that old thing.

Lever 22 has utility as it slows down the rate of fire or easy to speed up. Still can pack a lot of ammo on board and jt's accurate too. Add a scope later.

For kids 10 and up. Get them going early and arm them as they mature. Every kid is different. Some handle responsibility earlier than others. YMMV.

None of our 22's left the family. Everybody ended up with something and kept it to this day. I did that with my kids too. It's a tradition!

TRADITION!

[harbormaster]

Bought a 77/22 the year they came out. Still have it. It was shelved for a decade but when I broke it out it was like a old friend. Still more accurate then me. I am intrigued about the Kidd style 10/22s and there are many not that expensive.

[Quiet]

Originally Posted by TheChief

Looking for a rifle and caliber recommendation for a 12yo. Quality and capability are more important than cost. Ideally it would be something they could hand down to their children some day.

I am thinking 22lr but am open for ideas.

I am thinking bolt action so they learn how to shoot accurately.

This would be their rifle to carry and shoot if the proverbial balloon goes up.

Thanks

Check out...
CZ 457 Scout (.22LR) and Ruger American Rimfire Compact (.22LR).

[SmokeTheClay]

22lr all the way. Feels like a bb gun when you're a kid. My dad got me a 22lr with a scope when I was ~8. I loved it.

If I were you I'd get him a sniper trainer with a scope and bolt action because the scope and bolt adds to the cool factor for a kid (at least me).

An old Stevens 416 (i think that's the model) with a scope would be cool

EDIT: Ruger precision rifle in 22lr might actually be way better because he could learn to modify it to fit him

[870classic]

I am going Old School.
There is no harm in teaching children (youth) patience, marksmanship, and proper bullet placement before advancing to the semi auto platforms. To that end, I can recommend the following firearms:

Anschutz 64, single shot or a 5-round magazine.
Old School: Remington 581, 541, 521, 513, 511, etc.
Old School: Winchester 52, 75, etc.
New School: Ruger Precision Rifle in 22lr.
Savage: B22 Precision, or Mark I FVT.
Kimber: 82

With the list above, you get the idea. Bolt Action, iron sights (preferred), and a rifle the youth can grow into as well as being a proven performer.

In the Boy Scouts, we allow youth as young as 10 years of ago to shoot 22lr's (Single shot and bolt action, however), and we have used all the following rifles with the single shot adapters in the magazine wells to create a single shot rifle. The youth learn marksmanship over volume of fire and proper shot placement.

I hope this helps. Best regards,
870classic.

[Citadelgrad87]

I bought a 10/22 when i was about his age. Its still in the safe, but now its got a bull barrel and Kidd parts, a giant scope, and it will his an aspirin at 50 yards.

[The War Wagon]

Considering the lack of recoil with AR's (and if you're expecting him to bear arms in the boogaloo), I'd get him an AR, and start training him now.

Colt 6920's can still be had NEW for under $1200.

[madland]

Originally Posted by The War Wagon

Considering the lack of recoil with AR's (and if you're expecting him to bear arms in the boogaloo), I'd get him an AR, and start training him now.

You could also get an M&P 15-22 Sport to start learning the AR basics. My kids have a blast with mine. Which is the main reason I bought it. It's lightweight.
Fun to shoot. Baby steps before the real deal. The .22 is set up almost exactly the same as my AR.
I also have the M&P .22 Compact pistol. All the same principles apply. Fun and cheap to shoot. Easy to learn with.

[tradecraft]

A buy once cry once rifle is a 22lr to some people? Get him something from KAC.

[M76]

Inexpensive? Savage

Step up?

https://ruger.com/products/precisionRimfire/models.html

[the86d]

Get a lever action, and get something that they will shoot SLOW, like a 45-70 GOV...
I KID.

My WHOLE family LOVED the Ruger 10/22, and because they have been around a LONG time, LOTS of magazines can be had. Accurate and doesn't jam much, unless dirty, AKA Tack-driver w/a scope...

Our Ruger MK-III and MK-III 22/45 are our favorites to shoot with a red-dot.

My 13 year old is getting a new upper for her birthday, 5.56 NATO 1:8 twist.
She didn't WANT to shoot it due to the noise, thinking it was a heavy-hitter, but tried last year, and we said, TOLD YOU... CAKE-WALK.

I think you can actually go with all EBR features if rimfire, pistol-grip, A2 Birdcage, and adjustable stock, just don't put a center-fire upper on it unless you take the scary things off first, or a felony AW...

I'd go with a dedicated .22lr upper, not the .223/5.56 CMMG conversion bolt for legal reasons, just to double-cover one's 6.

Originally Posted by M76

Inexpensive? Savage

Step up?

https://ruger.com/products/precisionRimfire/models.html

WOW, THAT is a pretty-good option, even if less useful for self-defense if not semi, but not advocating, just saying if that is all they have when they move out...
Takes 10/22 mags too...

My daughter, lady, and Mother-in-law all kind of like the PC Carbine in 9mm, which takes Glock mags if you swap the insert.
Hell, I sold the SR-9/Security-9 insert and magazine it came with, and just use Glock mags, as I stocked up on freedom week, and don't even have a Glock...

[Bakerloo]

Originally Posted by Citadelgrad87

I bought a 10/22 when i was about his age. Its still in the safe, but now its got a bull barrel and Kidd parts, a giant scope, and it will his an aspirin at 50 yards.

That sounds like mine. My dad gave it to me in 1976. It was a few years old at the time. My grand kids will get it someday.

[CWL]

Ruger 10/22 in stainless black polymer stock. Maybe breakdown model.
It will last several lifetimes.

No kid is going care about brand if it's a "first gun", and go with plastic stock because I doubt a kid will care much about wood.

Not expensive enough? Spend money on optics or red dot.

[Tere_Hanges]

How come no .30-30 lever action or 12ga shotgun love? Sure they kick like mules but are you raising a lil b1tch or someone with grit?

What about a .243, .223 or 7.62x39 bolt action?

The CZ527 is a fine rifle that would definitely stay in the family.

As for something useful if SHTF, an AR15 or AK are pretty much the gold standard. A .22 would be useful if hunting small game during SHTF but personally I'd prefer to hunt with a bow to conserve ammo in TEOTWAWKI.

[ohsmily]

Originally Posted by TheChief

Looking for a rifle and caliber recommendation for a 12yo. Quality and capability are more important than cost. Ideally it would be something they could hand down to their children some day.

I am thinking 22lr but am open for ideas.

I am thinking bolt action so they learn how to shoot accurately.

This would be their rifle to carry and shoot if the proverbial balloon goes up.

Thanks

Where are you located? My buddy's shop is selling some high end 22LR rifles from T/C which also take 10/22 magazines.

[elSquid]

The quintessential starter rifle for a teen is a 22 bolt action rifle. Can't think of a better choice.

Unless SHTF is a serious possibility. Then...

Originally Posted by California_Deplorable

The CZ527 is a fine rifle that would definitely stay in the family.

In 223 or 7.62x39, depending on what calibers good ol' dad stocks...



Ideally, buy him both.

The CZ is a ~$600 gun in normal times. A bargain!

-- Michael

[axhoaxho]

When my nephew was 12 years old, he had no problem shooting my AR at the range. Especially if he shot it on bench with a bipod. Kids are strong and they grow fast.

If like you mentioned -- quality, capability, hand down, buy once cry once, when ballon hits the fan, etc., etc.

OP, I would say get him a Colt LE6920 and call it a day.

[ohsmily]

https://www.firearmsunknown.com/smit...ifle-22lr.html

[jbj]

Marlin 1894c

Super versatile; Download it w .38SPL nothing rounds to plink with, or drop some .357Mag 180gr Buffalo Bore in there and breath fire. Lots of great loads in between, especially if you reload.

For SD/HD, no one is going to shrug off 110-125gr .357Mags.

The gun is made to be kept forever. Just make sure if they ever want to get rid of it you have the right of first refusal.


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[the86d]

Start like Demo. Ranch did?

https://youtu.be/fX7Q8iykmlY

[FatCity67]

I learned to shoot bolt action 22s with lyman peep sights. Grandfathers 69a Winchester and Marlin 80DL. Both of which I still have. Taught all the daughters to shoot with them as well.

[edgerly779]

mp5 9mm for a kid. bigstick not from ca maybe texguns or just out of the brig(LOL) Must be parody thread so much fail in the post.

[diveRN]

Buy once - cry once in a .22LR? At 12, he'll outgrow it soon after you buy it, especially as something to carry "if the balloon goes up."

I'd look at a Savage Axis in .223 or a Remington 700 SPS and buy the .22LR as a gun you both can share that he'll eventually inherit. At least with a centerfire rifle, he can hunt larger game like pigs and even deer, target shoot, and perhaps he can eventually learn to reload later.

[LuckyGuy]

Originally Posted by Citadelgrad87

I bought a 10/22 when i was about his age. Its still in the safe, but now its got a bull barrel and Kidd parts, a giant scope, and it will his an aspirin at 50 yards.

Baby Aspirin.

[the86d]

.22lr in a 10/22 with a BX-25 mag=Swarm of angry bees!

[CSACANNONEER]

Originally Posted by 870classic

I am going Old School.
There is no harm in teaching children (youth) patience, marksmanship, and proper bullet placement before advancing to the semi auto platforms. To that end, I can recommend the following firearms:

Anschutz 64, single shot or a 5-round magazine.
Old School: Remington 581, 541, 521, 513, 511, etc.
Old School: Winchester 52, 75, etc.
New School: Ruger Precision Rifle in 22lr.
Savage: B22 Precision, or Mark I FVT.
Kimber: 82

With the list above, you get the idea. Bolt Action, iron sights (preferred), and a rifle the youth can grow into as well as being a proven performer.

In the Boy Scouts, we allow youth as young as 10 years of ago to shoot 22lr's (Single shot and bolt action, however), and we have used all the following rifles with the single shot adapters in the magazine wells to create a single shot rifle. The youth learn marksmanship over volume of fire and proper shot placement.

I hope this helps. Best regards,
870classic.

Great list but, I'd add an Anschutz 54, Rem 40X and several Mossberg models like 44, 42, etc. Mossberg target .22s are relatively inexpensive and very good shooters.

[Epaphroditus]

Hard to argue against AR-15. Buy a couple different uppers as needed for a variety of calibers.

We have AR for everyone in the family and uppers in 22lr, 223, 6.8, 450B. Diversity!

[DrjonesUSA]

If you honestly want it to be your kids' designated rifle in a SHTF situation, that pretty much means you have to get him an AR-15.

We don't need to talk about how totally customizable it is; you can get a .22 LR upper, all the way up to .300 BLK, .450, etc.

Assuming you also have several AR's as home defense / SHTF rifles, you want all of your team to have interchangeable weapons; mags, parts, etc., right?

AR all the way.

Get him a legit AR15 in 5.56, maybe add on a separate .22 LR upper / conversion kit & be done with it.



Only other thing I was going to add would be one of these:
https://shopkahrfirearmsgroup.com/ma...imfire-rifles/


Or a super-accurized, tricked-out 10/22. I've handled a couple of those Magnum Research though


I disagree with the bolt gun option - if it was 1800, maybe....but why today?
Impractical, IMO, if SHTF is going to be even a minor consideration for this gun.

AR15 or SEMI-AUTO .22 LR all the way.

Lastly; get something top quality; spring for the Magnum Research, or a Daniel Defense, Colt AR; etc. Treat it like you are buying it for yourself, to defend your life & home with it, since that's in effect what you are doing.

You said you wanted to invest in a quality gun, so get one of the top-tier AR makers.

What's gonna happen; worst case he doesn't like it & transfers it to you??

Boo hoo.




.

[luckylogger6]

Henry Lever Action

[Milsurp1]

38/357 lever action. Your criteria point to different ideals, but a lever action sounds like a great compromise.

[Master_Prestige]

Buy once cry once and 10/22 are oxymorons. You old timers really make me laugh sometimes.

[DrjonesUSA]

Originally Posted by Milsurp1

38/357 lever action. Your criteria point to different ideals, but a lever action sounds like a great compromise.

I can't argue with a lever action either.

Lots of different, COMMON caliber choices, slightly faster rate of fire than a bolt gun, but higher capacity.

Compact, accurate, doesn't attract too much attention vs a tricked out AR.

Bolt gun is a good one too.

Lethal out to at least a couple hundred yards, depending on caliber.

I will own a good lever gun (maybe two) someday.

I really want one with an octagonal barrel but I also want a stainless one too.

[TheReluctantCraftstronaut]

Originally Posted by jeffyhog

I think a nice, quality bolt gun in 22lr is great for a 12 year old. Maybe something like a CZ 452 or 455. They're very nice rifles and something that he'll always enjoy shooting.

If you go for a bolt, I agree with CZ as a recommendation. Nice robust rifle with some timeless aesthetics.

If you go for other actions, a 10/22 is the all-time classic .22 rifle and well made. My first was a pump action Henry .22 and it's still my favorite rifle to this day. Son's first rifle will be a Henry lever .22 already sitting in the safe waiting for him. Thinking of a bolt action for my daughter's first.

[bugsy714]

I really like the Henry Golden boy, 10/22 takedown with backpacker stock is going to be my sons first gun


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