First Gun: Ideas from the crowd wanted

B00ger

B00ger

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Long story short...I am wanting to purchase a young man his first firearm. He is 18. Loves shooting with me, likes military surplus, ARs, just about anything. What, in your opinion, is the perfect "first gun".

Long story long: A relative of mine through my wifes side of the family just turned 18 a month or so ago. A really good kid. Polite, hard working, smart as can be. He has had somewhat of a rough family life that I honestly don't know too much about, but I do know that his grandmother and father had to adopt him rather late in life. Kid had every opportunity to go wrong, but has always made solid choices. He went and got a job as soon as he was able to help out. Helps take care of the other kids that live with his grandparents. makes excellent grades in school, attends early college courses, and is already getting some scholarship offers due to his academics. And is just all around a great kid.

Since he didn't have much of a father figure growing up, I took to taking him shooting with me every now and then. Since he loves military surplus, and all things history, he and I would go seek out military surplus shops, the museum down in Raleigh, and spend a good bit of time together.

So, since he has turned 18, and is graduating this year, I wanted to do something for him. My current thought was to order a parts kit from PSA (I picked his brain a bit on what kinda styles of ARs he likes) and invite him over to help me put it together. Then take him out to the range to zero it in. When he is about to leave pull a "Oh, by the way...you can have this."

So that's my idea >as of now<...but knowing the length and breadth of experience we all share here, I want to know yalls thoughts. What would be the perfect "first gun". I considered a pistol, but since he cant legally buy one himself and cant currently really carry it other than OC, I kinda put a pistol on the back burner.
 
Awesome. A couple thoughts.

1. If he's still living with Grandma, I would be sure she's on board with it. Especially if the rifle will be in his possession.
2. Doing the build together is a great idea!
 
I always thought a first gun should be a .22.

One, that years later, he can look at and say, This was my first gun.
 
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I guess I should add, he (to my knowledge) doesn't hunt, so I didn't think a hunting rifle would be as fun.

And yes, I have talked to the grandparents about it to get the clear and they thought it was a great idea. This kid is the kinda kid you could give your ATM card to, and the PIN number and you would probably end up with more money in your account because he appreciated being able to be involved.
 
B00ger said:
...So, since he has turned 18, and is graduating this year, I wanted to do something for him. My current thought was to order a parts kit from PSA (I picked his brain a bit on what kinda styles of ARs he likes) and invite him over to help me put it together. Then take him out to the range to zero it in. When he is about to leave pull a "Oh, by the way...you can have this."

So that's my idea >as of now<...
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Solid plan...go with it.
 
I like the "Help me build your rifle" thing - that's a good idea but it doesn't incorporate his love for history and milsurps.
I say watch Enemy at the Gates with him and when the movie is over, hand him a Mosin 91/30 with 5 rounds on a stripper clip.
 
For an 18 year old I’d factor in ammo cost. That being said there are tooooo many ways to go not knowing what he GP has liked most shooting with you. It could be a nice bolt rimfire like say a new CZ 457 ... the build an AR route like you mentioned ... a fun lever gun in say .357mag that could also shot cheaper .38special ... a mil-surp in 7.62x39 for cheap ammo ... or quite a few other paths.

What has he been drawn to most when shooting with you?
 
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Catfish said:
I like the "Help me build your rifle" thing - that's a good idea but it doesn't incorporate his love for history and milsurps.
I say watch Enemy at the Gates with him and when the movie is over, hand him a Mosin 91/30 with 5 rounds on a stripper clip.
Click to expand...

I actually considered this believe it or not. I have a 91/30 that I have taken him shooting with and he loved it. So it is a solid idea.
 
NCFubar said:
For an 18 year old I’d factor in ammo cost. That being said there are tooooo many ways to go not knowing what he GP has liked most shooting with you. It could be a nice bolt rimfire like say a new CZ 457 ... the build an AR route like you mentioned ... a fun lever gun in say .357mag that could also shot cheaper .38special ... a mil-surp in 7.62x39 for cheap ammo ... or quite a few other paths.

What has he been drawn to most when shooting with you?
Click to expand...

Oh, ammo cost is certainly on the table. He really only ever goes shooting with me as it is, so I provide all the ammo. .223 mainly. He loves the ARs and the Mosin quite a bit.
 
The AR option is rock solid!

If he appreciates old hardware, look for a garand. Nothing better in the shooting world than the sound of an en bloc popping out after the 8th round. That’s just special.
 
B00ger said:
Oh, ammo cost is certainly on the table. He really only ever goes shooting with me as it is, so I provide all the ammo. .223 mainly. He loves the ARs and the Mosin quite a bit.
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The build-a-AR fits that ... and down the road a .22lr conversion kit could be another gift for or investment by him to cut ammo cost.

georgel said:
I always thought a first gun should be a .22.

One, that years later, he can look at and say, This was my first gun.
Click to expand...

I do agree with George ... I still have my Marlin 60. I shoot occasionally and was one of the guns I taught my son with. Personally, I think a nice wooden stock .22lr that will be an heirloom type rifle would be great. To that I’d lean to two rifles ... a CZ 455 or newer 457 or a wildcard Marlin 39A. Either of those two will be a piece he’ll be able to shoot for his life and pass on.
 
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If I hadn't read your post, I would have said:

B00ger said:
My current thought was to order a parts kit from PSA (I picked his brain a bit on what kinda styles of ARs he likes) and invite him over to * help me put it together *. Then take him out to the range to zero it in. When he is about to leave pull a "Oh, by the way... ** you can have this **."
Click to expand...

* Only I would have invited him over to "teach him how to build an AR." Let him do the bulk of the work under your watchful eye, and then the rest just as you said, except ** "you built this, bud, now you have to own it!" **

Your instincts are good, sir, imo!
 
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georgel said:
I always thought a first gun should be a .22.

One, that years later, he can look at and say, This was my first gun.
Click to expand...
In a lot of cases, I’d agree. But not for an 18yo that he’s been shooting with for awhile.

Any younger son/nephew/etc...absolutely a 22 is the way to go.
 
BigWaylon said:
In a lot of cases, I’d agree. But not for an 18yo that he’s been shooting with for awhile.

Any younger son/nephew/etc...absolutely a 22 is the way to go.
Click to expand...

Yeah, he's pretty much a grown man. Acts more like one than most I know any way. So I am kinda wanting to get him a "mans gun". A self built AR, a couple magazines, couple hundred rounds.
 
B00ger said:
Yeah, he's pretty much a grown man. Acts more like one than most I know any way. So I am kinda wanting to get him a "mans gun". A self built AR, a couple magazines, couple hundred rounds.
Click to expand...

You previously mentioned history. Why not an AK build? Talk about history's gun and the ammo is relatively cheap.
 
I love your plan! However, more options is always good.

How about a Henry Golden boy with the additional purchase of the personalized cover. You could make it say congratulations On your graduation, or whatever meaningful quote you want to share with him.

https://henrypride.com/products/personalized-henry-golden-boy
 
B00ger said:
Yeah, he's pretty much a grown man. Acts more like one than most I know any way. So I am kinda wanting to get him a "mans gun". A self built AR, a couple magazines, couple hundred rounds.
Click to expand...
Great plan. Go with your instincts since you know him better than any of us will.
Please share pictures of that smiling face after you give it to him!
 
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Your plan isn’t bad, but...

Get a 10/22 set it up as a Liberty Training Rifle (http://appleseedinfo.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/LTR.pdf - basically you add a GI sling and aperture sights) and take him to an Appleseed shoot. He will have a rifle he can afford to shoot on his own, get some Rev War history that he will really enjoy, and he will know how to shoot any standard rack grade iron sighted military rifle from a 1903 to an AR, and how to shoot them well. They basically teach shooting the way the Army and Marines did WW1 thru Korea - can’t beat that for someone that loves vintage rifles.

It will also be a great experience for the two of you to share and you’ll meet great people there.

You might want your own LTR too...
 
@B00ger , your AR build and hand off sounds like a great idea. He can have a hand in building it and have the memory of you coaching him during the build. The when you tell him that it belongs to him, well, a lot more memories will be made right then.

If you go this way, I'll send a couple of AR magazines to add to the rifle. Just let me know.
 
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JimP42 said:
Your plan isn’t bad, but...

Get a 10/22 set it up as a Liberty Training Rifle (http://appleseedinfo.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/LTR.pdf - basically you add a GI sling and aperture sights) and take him to an Appleseed shoot. He will have a rifle he can afford to shoot on his own, get some Rev War history that he will really enjoy, and he will know how to shoot any standard rack grade iron sighted military rifle from a 1903 to an AR, and how to shoot them well. They basically teach shooting the way the Army and Marines did WW1 thru Korea - can’t beat that for someone that loves vintage rifles.

It will also be a great experience for the two of you to share and you’ll meet great people there.

You might want your own LTR too...
Click to expand...

Start with this Ruger model ... correct barrel profile for the Liberty Kit plus threaded barrel just for possible future add ons ... rimfires loved to be suppressed
https://ruger.com/products/1022Carbine/specSheets/31113.html

... this kit along with adding the sling and sight options like Jim mentions is a nice little M1 Carbine tribute too ...
https://www.eabco.net/M1-Carbine-Re...sion-20--Includes-TWO-Handguards_p_13774.html

... the Appleseed experience would add even more “feelings” to the little carbine that he’d as well as you would always remember.
 
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As all know I'm not an AR kinda fella, but I can't find a single flaw in your original plan. I'm in for 200 rounds.
BASIL said:
If he likes historical mil surp, get him to help ya clean the Cosmo lean off a SKS.
Then hand it over.
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I really like this as an alternative!!!! Still in for 200 rounds!!
 
Us getting a pair of SKSs together would be pretty awesome...anyone have a line on some? Cosmolined up would be fine. It’s in consideration now.

I am liking the engraving though.

That’s why I brought the question here!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
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BigWaylon said:
In a lot of cases, I’d agree. But not for an 18yo that he’s been shooting with for awhile.

Any younger son/nephew/etc...absolutely a 22 is the way to go.
Click to expand...
Do we ever really outgrow our .22's?
Just sayin'
;)
 
Geezer said:
If you go this way, I'll send a couple of AR magazines to add to the rifle. Just let me know.
Click to expand...

@B00ger , if you decide to go the AR route, PM or text me. I’ve got a red dot you can add to it for him
 
Awesome plan. Sounds like a great kid. I’m sure I have an extra PSA lower parts kit I can donate if you go the AR route. Probably come up with some other parts also if needed. PM me if you decide to build the AR.
 
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