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I'm sure this topic was brought up before me and my friend are going to buy our oldest kids first rifle for Christmas we have a difference in opinion on what .22 to get them we wanted to get them the same rifle my daughter is pretty strong and tall for her age I said we should do ruger 10/22s he is saying the cricket I know the cricket is cheaper but they won't out grow the ruger what did every one else purchase for their kids
When I was a kid I had a single shot, bolt action 22. Pretty sure mine was a Sears model. I loved that thing. It wasn't tiny like one of those cricket rifles though.
As far as which rifle for your kid, I would say it depends on the kid. If you think they can safely handle and be responsible with a semi-auto then go for it. If you know your kid isn't going to be very good at loading/unloading etc. then I might lean a different direction.
What age are we talking?
Teens and adults both like shooting the crickets in my family. 10/22 isn't a bad choice though, can easily grow into it with many goodies to add to it. (stocks, scopes etc).
Some of the marlins or mossbergs would be good too. Not a lot to go wrong with most any .22 rifle choice for beginners IMO.
I really like the Henry youth model. The sights are opposite colors so it is very easy to explain proper sight picture to a new shooter.
I also like the CZ youth model. The single shot ramp can be replaced with a magazine once they are ready. They are a very nice rifle.
If you reload, consider a center-fire carbine that shoots a 38/357. Won't cost much more to shoot then a 22LR at todays prices.
You can get lots of good use out of a quality revolver after the training is over.
I picked up a nice stainless cricket for when the grandkids get older. Seems like a good starter rifle. I think Savage has a similar model that I have heard good things about. Of course a lot depends on how old the kids are, but any age can shoot these guns.
If your kid actually wants a .22, then it doesn't matter what you get them. If it's just you and your buddy having this discussion, then more than likely you're just debating over which gun you guus want to buy yourselves next.
My daughter is 8 and his son is 9
My first rifle was a Remington bolt action 22 not sure what model it was I got it from my grandpa it was his dad's so it was roughly 50 years old when I got it so it had rust where the model was marked and he didn't have it cleaned I've been meaning to take it to get re blued and safety checked to make sure it is still ok to fire I considered giving her that one as well
My vote goes to the single shot bolt action rifle.
Depending on the experience and responsibility of the child.