I prefer sights over scope as well.

 

Scopes are good for certain things, but iron sights build fundamentals. With rock-solid fundamentals, optics become a huge advantage.

 

^This. $200 out the door and parts are all over the place. Magazines, stocks, barrels, bases..whatever you need you can get. You will probably end up with one after you buy him one.

 

+1, couldn't agree more. I don't shoot (will soon) and fundamentals and safety are the keys to what I am teaching right now.

 

It was tons of fun to shoot. It wouldn't surprise me at all if I decided to buy two at the same time.

What should I plan on buying with the gun? I will buy a trigger lock, extra mag or two...what kind of case should I consider? What about cleaning the gun? Is that easy to learn from online or the directions with a cleaning kit? If all we do it shoot at a local range, what is the best ammo to buy? How long does it last? If I find a great cheap buy on it, should I buy a shit load or does it go bad after time?

 

I'm not sure I think a semiauto rifle is the best first rifle.

I have been thinking about this quite a lot. Most of the "kid" guns I have found are single shot. A real pain.

Ideal kid first rifle, in my opinion:
Light weight and short stock
durable stock
bolt action
22LR
iron sights with option to place scope on it
10 rd magazine
good trigger

Anybody know of a rifle that has all those qualities??

 

Why sell semi-auto short? Keep in mind that having a semi-auto, but learning the discipline to shoot slowly is a wonderful thing. What I mean is that the temptation is to blast away, but with practice and fire discipline, it is just as effective a teaching tool as a bolt action.

If you insist on a bolt gun,

Marlin Model XT Series

 

Yes, to the gun lock, yes, to the extra mag.

Any good case will work, doesnt have to be super expensive or "tacticool". I have always used my manual to learn to clean my rifles, long before there was the "online". Buy a good cleaning kit and supplies, proper maintenance is just as important to learn.

Ammo? For that rifle? I have shot every known type from the absolute cheapest to the super expensive, and meh. Its a .22 for the range. Buy a box of 500 and have fun. No, it doesnt go bad..... (can you tell i cant figure out how to multiquote???? )

 

Thanks for the suggestions!

 

Ruger 10/22 all day long. Amazing rifle, you can mod it significantly with not a whole lot of cash. I have a Rinehart Fajen laminated stock on mine and volquartsen trigger assembly and bull barrel. It's amazingly accurate. Built approximately 20 years ago and it will still ring your bell.

https://www.volquartsen.com/