I have failed.

[KWK]

Sorry, friends, I wasn't up to the task. We moved back to the US last summer, and I'm finally getting around to purchasing guns. I took my son to the range today, where many manufacturers allowed people to fire their guns for a modest fee. He tried 22's in lever and bolt actions. I then took him to one of the better gun shops in the area, and there showed him 73s, 66s, 92s etc. Next I showed him how smooth the little Henry 22 is. Finally, I let him choose his first rifle. He chose a fine little ... Savage bolt gun. I am ashamed, but I will persevere in his education.

[Old Savage]

I bought a great little 305 Stevens not long ago. Shoots great.

[piller]

He chose a gun, so there is still hope. Just keep working on it and give it time.

[mescalero1]

Lets see, how many first decisions do I regret..............................
never mind.

[Ysabel Kid]

He chose a gun, so there is still hope. Just keep working on it and give it time.

+1. He'll come around!

[Grizz]

that sounds like huge success to me, kudos to both of you, looking forward to the range report..

Grizz

[AJMD429]

My first two rifles were bolt guns, but my leverguns now outnumber them by far - so there is hope...!

My four kids likewise started with bolt actions, then 'converted' - most of the Marlins here belong to family members:

[rjohns94]

no failure there. sounds like the perfect father - son outing. the next generation into the shooting world is one member stronger. blessings. (and so close to Father's day too!!!)

[Kansas Ed]

My first rifle was a Marlin Glenfield 60. My second was a Winchester 70. But it was my third rifle which got me hooked. I sold the other two, but the BB 94 is still with me, and started this whole fanaticism which to last count was up to I think about 21 lever guns. I need another one soon...

Kinda like women, it isn't the first one that is really memorable, that's just passing time till you find the special one.

Ed

[KWK]

Thanks guys. I know he'll come around. Actually, I didn't try greatly to sway him. He shot the little Cub single-shot from Savage for some time today. It is a very nice little gun, rather light in weight, with a decent trigger and a fully adjustable peep sight. It's very easy to hit with. The Henry had a poor rear sight, and I thought it best to let him have a gun that makes it easy to hit the targets. His little sister is already looking forward to her turn with it.

I'm sure his experience today with the Marlin 39 at the range didn't help matters. It was extremely stiff, and it misfired several times (although it could have been the result of a bad batch of ammo). This was right after the Marlin semi he wanted to try refused to go into battery. Then the 94 Marlin in .44 Mag hiccupped a few times for me. You'd think the factory would take more care in selecting the guns they bring to such events.

Firing a Springfield .50 BMG really made his day. He swaggered around with those big cases jingling in his pocket all afternoon at the range. He's been reading the history of the B-17 in the war, and this was his chance to fire their guns.

The S&W .38 was a delight to shoot. I suspect this one had a factory trigger job. It was far smoother than the snubbie I sold off before moving overseas. I later handled an Uberti Stallion in .38 (shrunken SAA). Tough choice...

[AJMD429]

Then the 94 Marlin in .44 Mag hiccupped a few times for me. You'd think the factory would take more care in selecting the guns they bring to such events.

If I were them I'd limit the 'demo' guns to the more reliable .357 1894's. I still like their .44 Mags though, but there is a definite 'rhythm' to working the actions.

Firing a Springfield .50 BMG really made his day. He swaggered around with those big cases jingling in his pocket all afternoon at the range.

Now THAT sounds like the perfect thing to get a kid hooked on shooting!

[AJMD429]

He may very well be like and "rotate" if you will between a lot of different types of shooting, I started out with a 22 autoloader, then got into bolt guns, the guns of WW2, submachine guns for a ver yshort spell (too expensive), then sixguns, went on a 1911 spree, then got back to cowboy guns, and will probably rotate into something else

Yep - I started with bolt-actions, wound up with leverguns, but in between just HAD to have the latest semiautomatic! Still like 'em all, but like the leverguns the most.

[crs]

+1 on him coming around.
My son first bought a 1911 pistol, then a Remington bolt gun, then a .223 semi auto, and he says that his next gun will be a lever action.