First gun

[herc14]

What gun would you recommended to a 17 year old well be first gun

[Dewatto]

This is kind of a loaded question, It all depends on the individual. Not the age. The safest gun too use is a single shot, shotgun. It could be a 12 or 20 gauge. But in reality there is no safe gun just the person behind it. A 22. long rifle is the last gun I would give someone that has little or no experience hunting. Especially a semi auto. I hunt with three teenage boys and only one of them gets to use something other than a single shot shot gun. And I carry the 22.

[travis]

Give them what they need to get the job done and teach them the responsibility they need to handle it. Some kids can handle a rifle and others shouldn't even be given a paint ball gun - both were born the same.

[hndhunter]

depends on what hes huntin with it. I like the 25-06 or 243 for antelope and deer. 22 for plinken around but hard to beat that 17 hmr. Hits harder the bullets usually disinagrate and can take down a coyote. Hope it helps.

[livetohunt]

Whats he or she going to be using the gun for? At 17 yrs old they should be more then able to handle any gun size wise. I would find a gun based on what he or she is going to be hunting. I would get them something they can use for the rest of there lives like I said before he or she is more then able to handle a full size gun.
I have 3 kids, at 3 yrs old they start shooting bb guns and learn how to handle guns safe and right. At 5 my oldest girl was shoot my 22 with help, by the time she was 8 she could out shoot me with a 22. I also had her start shoot my 410 shoot gun at age 8 and the wives 243. She is now 11 and can shoot every gun I own very well, she dont like to shoot my 12 ga. or my 357 but loves all the rest and I might add she is amazing with her bow. My boy at age 4 is the size of most 6 and 7 yr olds and has been shoot my 22 for about 6 months now with my help. My 3 yr old little girl is just starting on the bb gun but loves it and loves that one on one time we get to spend out shooting. If you are going to have firearms in your home and around your children I think we owe it to them to teach them how to handle them safe. Also if you show them from a young age what guns do and they know they can go out with you almost any time and shoot them they are not curious about them and respect them.

[techno]

I own 3 .22's 1 HMR and owned 1 HM2. I coon hunt with a .22 and squirrel hunt with the HMR. I would really like another HM2 to coonhunt with. The HM2 packs more of a punch. The .22 works great for coon but at 60+ yards won't much kill a yote. At 60 yards the HM2 with either a head or lung shot will dispatch a yote with ease.

But if your going cost wise with no yote killin issues... I would get a tube fed bolt .22 In the heat of the moment an auto might get dangerous. A single shot is great but gets to be a pain at times.

[livetohunt]

[quote="techno"]I own 3 .22's 1 HMR and owned 1 HM2. I coon hunt with a .22 and squirrel hunt with the HMR. I would really like another HM2 to coonhunt with. The HM2 packs more of a punch. The .22 works great for coon but at 60+ yards won't much kill a yote. At 60 yards the HM2 with either a head or lung shot will dispatch a yote with ease.

But if your going cost wise with no yote killin issues... I would get a tube fed bolt .22 In the heat of the moment an auto might get dangerous. A single shot is great but gets to be a pain at times.[/quote]

I wouldnt say that 60 yards is to much for a 22. I have used them many times at ease up to and over 100 yards. I called in a coyote this yr and all I had was my Ruger 10/22 open sights took it with a head shot at 6 feet shy of 100 yards.

[techno]

I don't doubt a .22 would do the job on a yote but you misplace a shot and the yote will not die. Thats my only arguement with the HM2. The HM2 will do more damage than a typical .22

I shoot cheap .22 ammo but I know Aguila makes a dang good .22 bullet rivaling even an HMR in FPS.

[livetohunt]

That is true but the same with any caliber gun made. Back about 25 yrs ago I seen my buddys uncle shoot a coyote with a 30-6 took its rear leg clean off and that coyote ran on 3 legs for more then 1/4 mile before we lost it in some woods. This kinda goes right back to this post being about a kids first gun, teach them to know the shots, take their time and if the shot is not right dont take it.
Cheap 22 ammo? Didnt know there was such a thing anymore.

[techno]

Your right on that! Compared to the HMR ammo anything under $2.00 for 50 i call cheap.

[arizonabeagle]

my vote is for the marlin model 60..its realitively cheap (picked mine up at walmart for 160 bucks) and very reliable..the tube fed stystem is great cause it hold 14 rounds and is easier then fiddlin around with a magazine, especially if your in the woods or for a first weapon...

[Bearkiller]

I'd really think about a rossi, if I were you. Unless you are killing bears on the ground. Then it all changes. You can get a combination of barrels, shotgun and rifle, for under 150 bucks. I bought my son a 22/.410 combo for 130. You can get 12 gauge/.223 combos or 12 gauge/.243 combos or 20 gauge/.22 combos. Pretty much whatever you want under a .243, you may just have to look around. My sons gun is very accurate.

[007pennpal]

I was in the US Army 3rd Ranger Bn at age 17.

I suggest shooting all your buddy's guns and seeing what you like. Consider what you will use the gun for. For sure there is no reason you shouldn't be able to use any and all guns made. If you can't be trained to safely use a gun by age 17, then it ain't gonna matter what gun it is.
Sean

[YotaDawger]

I used my gamo a lot growing up , and had an old marlin 22

[mofo21]

thought you said you were just turning 16 herc?? but i would get a .22 it will kill a coon and you can buy bulk ammo for cheap (and the gun) you can do a lot of practicing and not hurt the pocket book rounds are only about 2-3cents each. .22 550 rounds for 15bucks compared to a .17hmr 50 rounds for 10-12 bucks