The Gun Counter

Starting from the ground up, basically, after needing to sell most of my guns over the last couple years.
Ground floor, .22lr pistol and rifle, one each, for family use. Me, my wife, and 8 and 9 year old boys with some shooting experience.

My inclination is a 10/22, possibly a 10/22 takedown for the rifle. Other suggestions welcome.
I was considering seeing if the kids wanted to shoot the NRA marksmanship program, I remember having a lot of fun doing that in summer camp.
I'm not opposed to a magazine fed bolt-gun instead of a semi-auto, but the 10/22 platform is almost as popular for add-on accessories as the AR platform, and that has some appeal.

Pistol is wide open. Probably an auto rather than a revolver. My wife liked the look of some of the 1911 pattern .22 pistols in the case at Cabela's, but we didn't get to coonfinger any because they were too busy.
I've previously owned a Ruger MK2 and I'm not a fan, Also previously had a buckmark, and really liked it, but the grip might be a bit large for children's hands.

Buckmarks come in several different grip styles now, and some of them are different sizes. Might be worth a closer look.

My daughter loves "her" Buckmark (Micro Bull barrel), which we purchased when she was 9. No issues with the grip.

Budget?

Keeping it simple:

Boltie: Savage

Semi long gun: 10/22

Semi handgun: Buckmark

Revolver: Single Six

Buckmark or Beretta Neos for the pistol.

Semi-Auto 22 handgun? Hard to beat the price of a S&W 22A and they're nice shooters.
Had some FTF's at first but was due to hangup inside the mag. Runs fine now since deburring the inside of the magazine where the slot is cut for the mag batch. Also I forego shooting hollowpts as they can get tripped up in there it seems. It was as simple going in and a few times with a bit of crocus cloth wrapped on a dowel inside that front curve of the mag. Mr. Completely had the same issue and fix on his 22A.


22 long guns? Old bolties are my favorite for what you describe. Simpler and slower the better. Best of all a single shot pull to cock boltie.

The Savage Mk II is a great value for the price, with the added advantage of being available in lefty versions, as well as minion-sized configurations.

For handguns, I really like the Kimber conversion unit for my full-sized 1911, with the obvious benefit of being easily changed back to .45 ACP.

Free advice, and worth every penny you paid for it.

Get an operative td or operative b from thompson machine for the rifle.
Ruger sr22 or one if the mark series for the pistol.

I've been really happy with my Mark III 22/45. It has the feel of my 1911 down pretty well. I may get a lighter top end to it from Volquartsen or TacSol when I get a chance.

As for .22s, the detachable magazine from a 10/22 is nice. I have Western Auto-branded Marlin 60, though. It's old but shoots nicely. If you can find a used Marlin 60 in decent condition it'll make a nice starter. 17 rounds of .22 isn't bad to start, and the tube reloading process will teach a little patience to new shooters.