A First Gun for Christmas

This time of year is when firearms are more frequently purchased as gifts. For some recipients, it will be their first firearm—and many of those will be younger shooters. This is a big first step, and one they’ll remember for the rest of their lives.

Nobody forgets their first gun. I remember everything about the day I bought mine. I can only imagine how different that experience would have been if I’d been a kid, unwrapping a box under the Christmas tree to find my own gun. Unfortunately, my parents weren’t shooters, so that was never in the cards.

If you’ve reached the point where your child, niece, or nephew is ready to be gifted a firearm, here’s a list of rifles and shotguns that might make ideal first guns.

In the pantheon of first guns, the Ruger 10/22 is arguably the leader in the clubhouse. It’s affordable. It’s reliable. And, most importantly, it’s both easy and fun to shoot. There are numerous variants of the 10/22 .22LR semiautomatic rifle to choose from, but the Hardwood stock and the Black Synthetic stock versions are your obvious starting points when shopping.

The MSRP for the 10/22 starts at $349.

There are few semiautomatic options from Savage, which offers a wide variety of .22LR rifles, but the one I’d suggest taking a look at is the Savage RXR22. Available in Flat Dark Earth or Gun Metal Gray, the RXR22 accepts aftermarket 10/22-compatible magazines, triggers, and barrels—making it ideal for customization. It also features a front rail for mounting lights or bipods and a 16.5” button-rifled barrel with 1/2×28 threads for muzzle attachments.

The MSRP for the Savage RXR22 is $299.

Another semiautomatic .22LR option is the Mossberg International 702 Plinkster Bantam. Like Ruger, Mossberg has been building guns for a minute and has a well-earned reputation. The 702 Bantam features a short length of pull of just 12.25” and weighs only 4 lbs, making it a better first option for smaller shooters. It’s also outfitted with adjustable fiber-optic sights, which might be advantageous for helping younger shooters understand how to align sights.

The MSRP for the 702 Plinkster Bantam starts at $231.

Not everyone wants to start off with a semiautomatic as the first firearm for their child, which is why there are more than a few options for bolt-action .22LR rifles. The Savage Rascal is an ideal entry-level, single-shot bolt-action rifle with a length of pull of 11.25” and an overall weight of just 2.71 lbs. While it’s considered entry-level, the Rascal comes with a few key features, including adjustable peep sights and Savage’s user-adjustable AccuTrigger. And, this can be important, it’s available in Black and seven other colors.

The MSRP for the Savage Rascal starts at $169.

Bridging the gap between bolt-actions and semiautomatic is the lever-action. The Henry rifle is the pinnacle of lever-action rifles and the Henry Golden Boy Youth is a helluva first gun. This is a .22 S/L/LR option with 17” octagonal blued barrel. The brass accents are set off by the American walnut furniture. The length of pull is 13” and the overall length is 33.75”. The rifle weighs in at 6 lbs.

The MSRP for the Henry Golden Boy Youth is $667.

The Mossberg International 802  Plinkster is similar to the 702 Plinkster but in bolt-action form, with a 2” longer length of pull at 14.25”. Its synthetic stock, adjustable sights, and 10-round capacity make it both simple and durable for young shooters and hunters.

The MSRP for the Mossberg 802 is $231.

While designed to be a step up from the baseline beginner’s bolt-action rifle, the Springfield 2020 Rimfire is no less an excellent choice for first-time shooters and hunters. There are several versions from which to choose, including those with Grade A, AA and AAA Turkish walnut stocks, but it’s the Target version you want to look at first.

The Target models come with either a Black, Coyote with Black Webbing, OD Green with Black Webbing, or Sage with Black Webbing reinforced synthetic stock (LOP of 13.45”) with a free-floated 20” Heavy Profile barrel with 1/2×28 threads for muzzle attachments. The 2020 Rimfire also features an accuracy guarantee of 1” or less at 50 yards…assuming you do your job and use quality ammo. Best of all, its 10-round magazine is cross compatible with that of the Ruger 10/22.

The MSRP for the Springfield 2020 Rimfire starts at $434.

The Ruger American line of rifles have been among the best-selling in the category, spawning a second generation. The Ruger American Rimfire Compact is the perfect entry point into Ruger’s bolt-action heritage. The American Rimfire Compact is fed by a detachable, flush-mounted BX-1, 10-round rotary magazine and accepts all 10/22^® magazines, including the BX-25^®, BX-25^®x2 and BX-15^®. It has a 12.5” length of pull, includes two interchangeable compact length of pull stock modules that provide comb height options (iron sights or scope), Ruger’s Marksman Adjustable™ trigger, and adjustable rear and Williams™ Fiber Optic front sights.

The MSRP for the Ruger American Rimfire Compact is $459.

If a shotgun is your preferred first firearm, the Stevens 301 Single Shot from Savage is a break-action model that is available in 12ga, 20ga or .410, each with black synthetic stock and forend. A barrel length of 26” is available in all three gauges and 22” in 20ga and .410. The overall weight ranges from 4.6 to 5.9 lbs depending on the model. Savage offers three other versions in the 301 family.

The MSRP of the Stevens 301 Single Shot is $239.

The Henry Single Shot Rifle is a break-action model and comes in two variants, one with a blued steel receiver and one with a polished brass receiver. All models have a 22” barrel with a brass bead sight. The stock and forend are American walnut and all models feature a 14” length of pull.

Calibers include: .223 Rem/5.56 NATO, .243 Win, .30-30, .308 Win/7.62×51 NATO, .350 Legend, .357 Magnum/.38 Spl, .30 Buckhammer, .44 Magnum/.44 Spl, .450 Bushmaster, and .45-70 Gov’t. Brass versions are available in .357 Magnum/.38 Spl, .44 Magnum/.44 Spl, and .45-70 Gov’t.

The MSRP for the Henry Single Shot Rifle is $597 (Steel) and $735 (Brass).

Mossberg has a number of shotguns to choose from but for a first gun the Maverick 88 Bantam 20ga is a great starting point. Mossberg’s Bantam models have a smaller grip for easier trigger reach, shorter barrels for better balance, and shorter length of pull. It’s compatible with 500 accessory stocks, barrels, and Accu-choke tubes– within gauge and capacity.

The MSRP for the Mossberg Maverick 88 Bantam starts at $290.

Like most Henry firearms, the Henry Single Shot Shotgun may not be an entry-level shotgun but it’s certainly one that will be cherished for a lifetime. The Single Shot is available in two main models: a blued steel receiver or a polished brass receiver, both accented by American walnut furniture. Both are available in 12ga, 20ga and .410. The 12ga models will accommodate 3.5” shells with a 28” barrel while the 20ga and .410 will take 3” rounds with a 26” barrel. All models have a 14” length of pull with an overall length of 41.5 to 43.5”. The overall weight ranges from 6.55 to 6.83 lbs.

The MSRP for the Henry Single Shot Shotgun is $597 (Steel) and $735 (Brass).

An over/under might not be ideal for younger kids, but for the older ones that can handle their physical size—and have an interest in the clay target sports—the Spandau Target is a lot of gun for the money. This 12ga is available with either 28”, 30”, or 32” barrels that feature long forcing cones and come topped with a fiber optic front bead. It’s a box lock action with mechanical triggers and selectable firing order. The walnut stock features an adjustable comb.

The MSRP for the Spandau Target O/U is $949.89.

There are certainly other options available from other manufacturers—not to mention handguns—but this should give you some good ideas. You still have time to pick up that new gun as a Christmas present, though the clock is ticking.

While the gun itself is the highlight, don’t overlook proper cleaning tools and products. And, most importantly, make sure you have a safe, secure storage solution to ensure your gift is protected for years to come.