Author Topic: Son's first .22  (Read 1145 times)

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Offline tt4617

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Son's first .22
« on: April 09, 2010, 07:37:00 AM »
I just picked up a new Marlin 981TS for my son's 12th birthday. This will be his first real gun outside of a bb gun. I wanted a bolt action so he would learn to shoot and not just spray bullets. I liked the tube feed as I didn't want to worry about him losing or dropping and damaging a clip. The Marlin seemed to fit the bill perfectly. He has done quite a bit of shooting, but I told him he could not have a gun until I was satisfied that he was mature enough and could handle it safely. Well, he is a straight "A" student, follows each and every safety tip I have taught him and is an all around good boy. Now, all I have to do is keep the secret until his birthday in June. That is going to be tough!

The other thing I noticed is that Marlin's are really hard to get right now. I went through my normal gun shop and none of his distributors had one. I went through another gun shop that I have done business with and got the same story. Finally, and first ever, I had to buy it through Gander. Not a big fan of them, but they had one in stock and I did not want to miss out on it not knowing how long the Marlin problems will continue after the shutdown of their factory.

Anyhow, I am really excited to give it to him and thought I would share.

Offline mcwoodduck

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Re: Son's first .22
« Reply #1 on: April 09, 2010, 07:49:24 AM »
I have one for my firends 15 year old and he loves it.
Mounted a 3-9 simmons scope on it and the kid shoots it well.  He wanted to shoot clay birs out at 100 yards, so we resighted in the rifle with 40 grainers and he had a group that was bout the size of a Silver Dollar.  Had him breaking clay birds on the range shortly after and going after the larger chunks, a brick of 22 later the 2 dozen birds were dust.
We also send some CB's throug the gun in the back yard on occasion.  (About as loud as a BB gun)  into a trap.
I say give him the rifle now and then give him A brick or two of ammo in June.
Others can pile on with a case, sling, and cleaning gear.

Offline CannonKrazy

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Re: Son's first .22
« Reply #2 on: April 09, 2010, 06:51:30 PM »
Thats gonna be a happy young man. My first gun was a Marlin model 60. I got it at age 9 for Christmas. I still got it and it still shoots great.
Looks like you are gonna be making a few more stops at the ammo store now. ;D

Offline Savage .250

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Re: Son's first .22
« Reply #3 on: April 10, 2010, 12:53:06 PM »
  I`ll bet he`ll be one happy kid.   :)  Nothing like getting your ....first.     :)
" The best part of the hunt is not the harvest but in the experience."

Offline Glanceblamm

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Re: Son's first .22
« Reply #4 on: April 10, 2010, 03:20:52 PM »
I did the same thing around 14yrs ago and will agree with the others that yours is going to be One Happy Kid.


Offline Throckmorton

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Re: Son's first .22
« Reply #5 on: April 10, 2010, 06:14:10 AM »
why wait to give it to him? you know you want to,and the grins all around will be soooooooooooooooooo good !! ;D

granson gets his 1st range trip tomorrow,and I'm all a'twitter for that I'll tell ya !

And besides,we want pics and a range report NOW. LOL

Offline gcrank1

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Re: Son's first .22
« Reply #6 on: April 10, 2010, 03:08:57 PM »
And ear protection so he doesnt end up like most of the rest of us deaf old guys.
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Offline mcwoodduck

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Re: Son's first .22
« Reply #7 on: April 14, 2010, 02:27:16 PM »
And ear protection so he doesnt end up like most of the rest of us deaf old guys.
What did you say??
Don't have my electronic ears on,
Need them now after getting a 22 when i was 16 and two bricks of ammo at Christmas.

Offline tt4617

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Re: Son's first .22
« Reply #8 on: April 27, 2010, 10:16:14 AM »
Ok Guys, I have been trying to ignore your prodding to give him the gun now, but we are getting ready to go turkey hunting and I really would like for him to have it to shoot when we are at the cabin. I am trying to stay strong and just thought I would thank all of you guys for the support...lol!

Offline mcwoodduck

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Re: Son's first .22
« Reply #9 on: April 27, 2010, 10:48:38 AM »
Can you get one of your friends to bring it up (say it is his) and let him shoot it, take it back and then wrap it for his birthday?

Offline saddlebum

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Re: Son's first .22
« Reply #10 on: April 27, 2010, 11:03:52 AM »
I think you made an excellent choice getting the 981. It is more than just a beginers gun and will serve him well for many years. I used to have a  781,(older model with walnut stock), and it was a great little rifle. I miss it alot sometimes. I don't see much of these rifles or hear much about them. Seems most folks favor the clip fed models, but I don't. I think it is an under rated .22 rifle. With a 4x scope it accounted for alot of long range head shots on cottontails for me. It's a rifle he will be proud of!!
" FIREARMS STAND NEXT IN IMPORTANCE TO THE CONSTITUTION ITSELF. THEY ARE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE'S LIBERTY TEETH AND KEYSTONE UNDER INDEPENDENCE."       George Washington

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Offline tt4617

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Re: Son's first .22
« Reply #11 on: April 28, 2010, 05:45:16 AM »
Can you get one of your friends to bring it up (say it is his) and let him shoot it, take it back and then wrap it for his birthday?


MC, you are sneaky. I like it!

Offline tt4617

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Re: Son's first .22
« Reply #12 on: April 28, 2010, 05:48:58 AM »
Thanks for all the positive feedback guys. It means alot. Ya know, when you buy a rifle for yourself, it is fairly easy. You do the research and live with the results of your choice. It is very difficult to make the decision for the most important person in the world to you.

I really think he is going to like it. I've only got like a month and a half to go to give it to him. That is if Mcwoodduck doesn't coerce me before then. :)

Offline mcwoodduck

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Re: Son's first .22
« Reply #13 on: April 28, 2010, 05:51:49 AM »
Can you get one of your friends to bring it up (say it is his) and let him shoot it, take it back and then wrap it for his birthday?


MC, you are sneaky. I like it!
can also tell you how to sneak a new rifle past your wife with out her knowing.   ;)

Offline tt4617

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Re: Son's first .22
« Reply #14 on: April 28, 2010, 05:59:53 AM »
I already figured that out. I got a divorce!

Offline mcwoodduck

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Re: Son's first .22
« Reply #15 on: April 28, 2010, 06:21:53 AM »
Lol.

Offline tt4617

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Re: Son's first .22
« Reply #16 on: June 22, 2010, 05:00:38 AM »
Well, I held out and he got the gun this past Saturday on his birthday. Needless to say, he was VERY excited. We are going Thursday to sight it in and burn up some LR's!

I think I was more excited for him to get the gun than I was to get my first one. It was a day I will always remember.

Thanks for listening to me ramble about this. Just wanted to share my excitement with others who understand.

Offline mcwoodduck

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Re: Son's first .22
« Reply #17 on: June 22, 2010, 06:44:21 AM »
 :D ;D
Happy beltated Birthday to the Boy.
If you can bring some reactive targets for hit like Clay birds, Potatoes (they explode with a 22 LR into a white basket ball size.
apples or other bio degradable items.

Offline tt4617

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Re: Son's first .22
« Reply #18 on: June 25, 2010, 05:24:58 AM »
Thanks MC! I will relay it to him.

Ya know, it is a good thing we don't live closer to each other. I have a feeling you would get me in trouble.

Offline mcwoodduck

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Re: Son's first .22
« Reply #19 on: June 25, 2010, 06:16:18 AM »
 :D