Advice would be appreciated.

V

vandoo66

Regular
EE Expired
Rating - 100%
1   0   0
Location
Montreal
Hi folks, first time posting on this forum so thanks for your indulgence.

I want to get my 10 yr old son into shooting and was thinking of getting a 10/22. Would this be a valid choice ( being semi and all) and if so, should I "upgrade" to the take down model as it could be a good little backpacking gun for the yrs to come.

I already own an old bolt action Lakefield/mossberg made for Sears in the 70's but I nead to find a replacement triggerguard as the original plastic one has broken off making the rifle slightly more unsafe to handle. Any one know if these are interchangeable with other models?

Again thank you. All advice would be welcome.

p.s. Will try to figure out how to post a pic for the Lakefield
 
vandoo66 said:
Hi folks, first time posting on this forum so thanks for your indulgence.

I want to get my 10 yr old son into shooting and was thinking of getting a 10/22. Would this be a valid choice ( being semi and all) and if so, should I "upgrade" to the take down model as it could be a good little backpacking gun for the yrs to come.

I already own an old bolt action Lakefield/mossberg made for Sears in the 70's but I nead to find a replacement triggerguard as the original plastic one has broken off making the rifle slightly more unsafe to handle. Any one know if these are interchangeable with other models?

Again thank you. All advice would be welcome.

p.s. Will try to figure out how to post a pic for the Lakefield
Click to expand...

I would say start him with a pellet or bb gun, then move him up to a single shot or bolt action 22. Than after he has proved he knows good gun safety I would think about a semi auto
 
For whats it's worth, 12 of my grandkids started to shoot with a single action 22 lr, ( all with the same Marlin 25 midget) after they had the basic, semi they could shoot...
Always remember that a semi is always loaded... Have fun... JP.
 
Lots of people will say to start off with a bolt action .22 , while the theory behind it is sound you can't go wrong with a 10/22 in my opinion and plinking with a semi is way more fun. I say go for it.
 
I would go bolt or lever as a start before getting into semi auto. Henry makes a great lever .22 and it will be a good rifle for a lifetime.
 
I agree with surplusshooter. Probably a good idea to start him off with a pellet or bb gun and let him get the feeling of some light recoil first, then move him up to single shots from either your bolt if you get it fixed or a new semi 22
 
I started off with a pellet gun, like most my friends did. You can get a good, accurate one, and very inexpensive. And pellets are easier/cheaper to find than .22LR shells.
It get me satisfied 'till I was old enough to get my own .22 rifle.
 
Thanks for the replies. I grew up with a pellet gun in my hands but nowadays you have to as far to shoot those that than to shoot a rifle ( and being from an inner subburb( 10 min. away from downtown Montreal)- that means FAR)). I will find a new trigger guard for the lakefield and let him start with that 1 rd at a time. I do think I'll get the 10/22 as well as I doubt they'll eventually go down in price.

Any opinions on the takedowns?

I got him a great little airsoft mp5 a few yrs ago but a I cannot let him go outside with it (even unloaded) as my roof is getting on in years and I do not belive it could handle a SWAT team rappeling down on it:p
 
I think a semi is a bad choice for a first gun...a 10/22 an even worse choice...and a 10/22 takedown an even bigger step in the wrong direction. I only base all of that on personal experience, so the 10/22 club needn't show-up at my house with torches tonight. :)

There are SO many better things about a 22 bolt gun for a new shooter.. Better trigger, easier/faster to clean, easier to clear, usually more accurate, will encourage proper/careful shot placement vs. the spray&pray so many semi shooters can't seem resist. I own 2 semis, both Marlin 795s (one stainless, one blued) so I'm not against the idea of 22 semis...I just think that DELIBERATELY slowing things down and making them easier for new shooters encourages all the best things you want to instill in the young lad. Just my opinion. Bolt guns line my own safe (rimfire/centerfire) as they they offer superior accuracy, the most reliable function, best triggers, etc. They are no-nonsense, and decades with them taught me to make the first shot count. I could buy, and reach for any action at this point in my life...99% of the time it will be a bolt gun..and I've owned every type.
 
vandoo66 said:
Hi folks, first time posting on this forum so thanks for your indulgence.

I want to get my 10 yr old son into shooting and was thinking of getting a 10/22. Would this be a valid choice ( being semi and all) and if so, should I "upgrade" to the take down model as it could be a good little backpacking gun for the yrs to come.

I already own an old bolt action Lakefield/mossberg made for Sears in the 70's but I nead to find a replacement triggerguard as the original plastic one has broken off making the rifle slightly more unsafe to handle. Any one know if these are interchangeable with other models?

Again thank you. All advice would be welcome.

p.s. Will try to figure out how to post a pic for the Lakefield
Click to expand...

That is a great dependable rifle to start out with.
 
.22LRGUY said:
I think a semi is a bad choice for a first gun...a 10/22 an even worse choice...and a 10/22 takedown an even bigger step in the wrong direction. I only base all of that on personal experience, so the 10/22 club needn't show-up at my house with torches tonight. :)

There are SO many better things about a 22 bolt gun for a new shooter.. Better trigger, easier/faster to clean, easier to clear, usually more accurate, will encourage proper/careful shot placement vs. the spray&pray so many semi shooters can't seem resist. I own 2 semis, both Marlin 795s (one stainless, one blued) so I'm not against the idea of 22 semis...I just think that DELIBERATELY slowing things down and making them easier for new shooters encourages all the best things you want to instill in the young lad. Just my opinion. Bolt guns line my own safe (rimfire/centerfire) as they they offer superior accuracy, the most reliable function, best triggers, etc. They are no-nonsense, and decades with them taught me to make the first shot count. I could buy, and reach for any action at this point in my life...99% of the time it will be a bolt gun..and I've owned every type.
Click to expand...

I agree on not starting with a semi like the 10/22. I own a 10/22 and have taught my boys about shooting, and hopefully soon, hunting.

The semi has a specific role: spraying bullets at a target that is hard to hit - typically because it is moving.
It doesn't teach conservation of of ammunition and waiting for the best shot. In my situation, they started
with nerf guns, and then an airsoft handgun. Then I introduced them to the pellet gun and safe gun handling,
which is essential to wiping out all of the bad habits they have developed from handling Nerf and Airsoft toys.
We only used the pellet gun under my supervision. Once that was mastered, I brought them out
for an introduction to the old single shot Cooey. Again, gun safety was preached and practised and close supervision.
Finally the 10/22 was allowed, and by this time they are caring about placing every shot, not just getting one bulls-eye via
use of 10 shots.
 
Another great rifle for beginners is the Cooey 64 semi auto.

Young shooters need to start off with the basic fundamentals of correctly aiming , trigger control, safeties and handling of the fire arm. Let them plink and have "FUN" without the added worry of levers and bolts. Once they feel comfortable with the basics then progress to the functions of the action.

If they are not enjoying their shooting experience they will quickly lose the desire to shoot.
 
Last edited:
All of the essential shooting and safety skills can be learned on a semi just as well as on a bolt action or single shot... maybe even better... as they will have to learn to verify a clear action/chamber every single time... muzzle control is muzzle control.

However a good bolt action is a good way to start also. An inexpensive Savage MKII or Marlin or for a little more a CZ, will be an excellent tool.

The 10/22 is fine also... make sure that YOU brush up on your safety habits and remain diligent as you instruct.
 
single loading a semi is pure b/s- even a single shot or bolt repeater does more- load the magazine, stick the mag in the gun, putt the bolt and then you fire?= talk a waste of time and frustration- how long do you think that will last till someone sticks a full mag in there? FAR MORE IMPORTANT to keep the pointy end pointed down range and proper application of safety and clearing techniques
 
Last edited:
I'll seize any opportunity to trash-talk the lowly 10/22....this can't be one of them. Any gem you can get a 10yr old enthused about slinging lead from is a fine one!

Accuracy? I dunno about you folks, but it was many years of lead slinging before my skill vs. equipment really became an issue. If you have something small enough, or ok to cut small enough, let the lead fly.

I'd really like to meet the kid who turned a nose down at a Cooey for a Cooper...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom