Rifle for myself and my son?

[Bull Moose]

I am looking forward to doing some cowboy action shooting with my son. We have gone to watch one shoot and have begun practicing with a pair of Vaquero's and SA .22's and a Henry .22 lever action. Now we need to get a centerfire rifle or pair of rifles. I told him that we would be all set up by the coming spring.
The questions I have are: should I buy two low end rifles or one high end rifle for the both of us to use? my revolvers are .45s-my son is 10-should I buy a .357 or .45?
I would like to spend between about $800 on a rifle or rifles. Any thoughts?

[Major 2]

for $800 you should be able to get 2 Marlin lever action in 45... actually these are Marlin made but sold through Menard's or some other chain (At Big 5, Marlins are $319) Sporting goods chain. On sale these are well under $400 each. .

The reason being , it is sooo nice to have your own gun ! second, if the one gun for two goes down, you both have that back-up..
though 45 may be a bit of a hand full for a 10 years old, it still is in the same caliber as your Vac's so the fumble factor of mixed ammo carry is null.
besides a 45 cartridge can be loaded as to be not to much for the youth ...  and try 180 grain schofield in the pistols.

[Camille Eonich]

There's a very good article in the August chronicle by Holy Terror about shooting with and equipping kids for shooting.  What she says makes a lot of sense.

[Marauder]

I'm sure Holy Terror's article will be a great help, when I finally gete it...

First, for the younger kids, a 22 is perfectly legal and a great choice!  You can get the gun to fit them and use that nice inexpensive ammo!  So consider that for a year or two.  He can also use 22 pistols for a couple years or get him 38/357's.

Since cost is a consideration, I would recommend a gun for each of you and definetly a 38/357 for him.  Much cheaper to shoot.  Also, the 45 rifles tend to have a blowback (warm wind in your face when firing) that can be distracting, especially to a new shooter.  The other big advantage is that you need to have the gun fit him - so the stock should be shorter - otherwise, he will have trouble cycling the rifle as well as hitting the targets easily.  Stocks aren't too expensive so you can replace it with a longer one as he grows.

Kids bones are still forming and although many CAN shoot a pretty hot 44 or 45 pistols, if they do it very much, they can develop wrist problems that will haunt them for the rest of their days.  I've know a few that wanted to shoot Dad's big loads and they had to "pay for it in a year or so."  So be thoughtful and safe with hotter loads.

Same thing on the shotgun, tis very important that the length of pull fits them!  Then it is a LOT more fun to shoot.

[Bull Moose]

Thanks for the input. Which model Marlin can I get for under $400? That would probably be the way to go. The only rifles I have seen in that price range are the Pumas and I am not too impressed with them.

[Major 2]

It is essentially the 94 rifle....
They are regular Marlins, but the wood is Birch or some other hard wood and plain (not black walnut), There is no checkering or anything...
Big 5 is a sporting goods store chain in the west.
I suppose they have them made up just for themselves ( this from a thread, by Howdy Dowdy)

I see you are in Mass. I don't know what outfit might carry them in the NE.
You might, contact HOWDY DOWDY on this BB.... he bought one and refinished the stock to a more satisfying finish.

I'm not impressd with the Puma's either

[Major 2]

TenSleep wrote this in another thread......

"Marlin Cowboy Limited in 38 special can be had in Chesterfield Co Va for $369-399 at Dances Sporting Goods."

.... VA. it a bit closer for ya.....

Or try Gunbroker.com 
good luck & happy shooting with your boy

[Bull Moose]

Well I bought a Marlin 1894C .357/.38. This seems like it will be a good gun for my son when he gets a bit older. Cheap to shoot and no perceived recoil with the .38 special.
The action could be a bit smoother, but I bet a lot of plinking will help with that.
Now I look forward getting a .45 LC rifle, can never have enough or too many guns.
Thanks for all of the input