[Gabby]

+1 on the Mossberg suggestion. A used Mossy single shot can be a great buy even with the higher prices they are bringing these days. I have 27 of these old rifles and every one of them has at least good accuracy. Most shoot exceptionally well. Many of the older Mossbergs have hand lead lapped bores and fine apperature sights. I learned to shoot with Mossberg Model 46 and they truly are "More gun for the money."

[beaglesam]

Not a single shot, but a first good gun is a Remington model 582. It's a tube magazine bolt action. I've seen a few at recent gun shows, for around $100-120.

[bob2231]

I have an old Winchester 67A,single shot bolt action.
27" barrel,and very accurate.
Bob

[gunsmoke11]

I got this Marlin Crown Prince single shot and Weaver scope over 50 years ago. It was used by my son and will in a few more years be used by my grandson. It can't be beat as a trainer and it's accurate too.

[Chainfire]

I picked up a Norinco JW-15 at a flea market for $75.00 just a few weeks ago. It is very accurate and small enough for a kid to handle. It is a 5 round, bolt repeater, but something like that should work. These guns are neat in that they will cycle any .22 rimfire; shorts, long, long rifle, and Colobri. Try that with your 10/22

It is not unusual around here to pick up a .22 for under $100.00 at either pawn shops or gun shows.

[bob2231]

Originally Posted by gunsmoke11

I got this Marlin Crown Prince single shot and Weaver scope over 50 years ago. It was used by my son and will in a few more years be used by my grandson. It can't be beat as a trainer and it's accurate too.

That looks remarkably like my Winchester 67A.
I wonder who copied whom.

[gunsmoke11]

The model 67 came out in 1934 and the crown prince in 1959.

[bob2231]

Yeah,I could have looked that up,but then my point wouldn't have mattered.

[DrumJunkie]

I just can't see getting a Cricket for a grown up person.... Price or not. I do like single shot bolt 22'ss though I don't own one at the moment. They are fantastic guns for a new shooter that NEEDS a rifle to fit them. The Cricket is great for the smaller youngins though. There's been some really good ones mentioned in the thread. I'd look at any of them before the if the one that is going to use it is grown. Even a bolt gun with a mag is a better choice. Most 22's are pretty reasonable to buy. So get what fits the shooter best.

[gunsmoke11]

I wanted a Winchester pump .22 since I was a kid. My Marlin bolt was great and I even slept with it on occasion, but that pump was always at the back of my mind. Then all of a sudden I grew up and went into LE. I was able to buy mostly whatever I wanted and picked up the man toys, except for my Colt .22 Diamondback.

Many years passed as well as many gun shows where I did admire those little .22's I always wanted. Then I retired and still never bothered to buy that little .22 cause I was still busy collecting man sized guns.

A couple of years ago while visiting Pa. I went to a gun shop where I had previously bought a Win. '97 riot that I always wanted, but passed up far too many times. I was about to leave the store when I asked this young salesman if he had anything old that maybe I missed. He brought out an 1895 Marlin that was a beauty along with a little minty engraved Winchester Model 62. This time I grabbed onto the .22 and because it was a steal I bought it.

That little .22 shoots like new and is unbelievably fun to shoot and is cheap to shoot as well. At my age I could probably sleep with it and get away with it, but I don't think my wife would appreciate that. I have a few other .22's and can honestly say that .22's aren't just for kids, especially where prices are concerned and can be very relaxing to shoot too. These are my .22's.
Stevens O/U .22-410, Anschutz 1518 .22mag, Win Mod62 mfg1938, Colt .22DB