Getting my son his first gun.

[Chief Joseph]

His birthday is coming up and think I'm going to get him his first gun that will actually be his gun. As much as I hated my s&w sigma, I've read too many good reviews of their .22lr tactical rifle, the m&p 15-22. Of course, I'll have to shoot it a lot too, but that's another matter. He already shoots my Walther P22, but I would like a rifle for him too. If anyone has what they feel is a better choice, I'm not buying for another 2-3 weeks.

[jocko]

pretty damn hard to knock the Ruger 10/22 out of those possabilities. Just sayin. There ew take dwon looks reall awesome.

[ripley16]

Ruger 10/22 is always a good choice.

For a definite "cool" factor, there's the HK MP5 22. I can forsee lots of fun with one.
http://www.hk22rimfire.com/index.php?page=mp5-a5

An alternative in the AR realm is the HK 416-22, (see above link). I almost bought one myself at the last gunshow.

I've always thought the Browning Buckmark carbine had a lot of potential to put smiles on faces.
http://www.browning.com/products/cat...p?f1=004B&bg=x

[LorenzoB]

Consider the 10/22 like Jocko and Ripley said. It is a "classic".

[DeaconKC]

If you go the 1022 route, you will have a couple hundred extra to buy him ammo with!

[Chief Joseph]

I have a friend who has a 10/22, I like it, but am looking more towards the tactical look and feel of the gun also. The reviews I've read says the m&p 15 22 mimics the m&p 15. Beyond shooting, it would introduce him to the weapon and one day hoping he could move right into an AR and be comfortable from the start. I myself am salivating for the Ruger Mini 14 tactical... Xmas is coming.

[Planedude]

I'll throw in with the 10/22 crowd as I have taught alot of new young shooters with my 10/22. Youngster love that old gun.
Nothing wrong with the S&W AR copy 22, super cool to show his buddies.

I have an old Marlin 39A lever gun that the young shooters love as much as the Ruger. I had a 4th grader (10-ish??) at the range with his father and uncle. The two of them were trying to shoot a snubby .357 and were ignoring the young boy. My Son-in-law and I were sighting in the 22's and I offered the boy the Marlin (17 rounds) he had a blast. After I had the 10/22 scope zeroed, I loaded the Ruger extended mag and let the boy shoot that. The grin was impressive and when done the boy was heard to exclaim, "Dad, did you see me shoot the machine gun"?

Good times. Enjoy these times with your son.

[LorenzoB]

There is nothing wrong with a tacticool rifle! I wouldn't mind having that M&P 22 now! But it wouldn't be a "classic" gun he would "need to keep" like a 10/22 that he might keep and possibly pass to his son or grandson. So my advice is that the first gun a father gifts a child be a "classic keeper".

[steveschu]

So my advice is that the first gun a father gifts a child be a "classic keeper".

I agree. I had the slide engraved on the pink P380 of my daughter's 21st birthday gift. I think she will keep it a very long time.

[forestranger]

Us "old cowboys" would'a rather had a Marlin or Henry lever action when we was young-uns but I reckon times has changed?

[LorenzoB]

I agree. I had the slide engraved on the pink P380 of my daughter's 21st birthday gift. I think she will keep it a very long time.

Yea! Engrave it. Very cool idea.

[7shot]

Tactical is cool...I like your way of thinking about getting him introduced to the AR system. That's the same reasoning behind me getting my son a Walter P22 instead of the Ruger Mark III. All choices are great I just thought the Walter was more true to form in the pistol platform than the Ruger.

[les strat]

Us "old cowboys" would'a rather had a Marlin or Henry lever action when we was young-uns but I reckon times has changed?

Yep. Marlin's Model 60 accuracy out of the box is amazing.

Although I think the 15-22 is a cool rifle and wouldn't mind owning one, a classic style rifle is more of a lifetime keeper, but I'm old school.

[jocko]

yup. back in our gun business dayh the Modle 60 was our best seller with the 10/22 right on its ass in sales. I personally like the 10/22 better but the model 60 was a gun we knew we could sell and never have to see it ever come back...

[ltxi]

What jocko just said or...gasp...a single shot .22 rifle. As my elder generation taught me...first, learn to shoot.