Bull Barrels are quite heavy... May or not work for a teenager.
I'd go with a medium taper (approx. 0.730" at the muzzle, but iron sights would have to be on a ramp), for about the same as a GM you can get a fedderson and I'd go that route over a GM.
Kidd barrels are also very good.
If you decide to go with GM check out rimfiresports.com, they're prices are generally better than a few other sites;
http://www.rimfiresports.com/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=R1ADefinitely get or modify the OEM bolt release, factory takes two hands and is a slow joke. Can modify the existing with a dremel in about 3 minutes.
For a match gun I would probably install an aftermarket extractor, but extraction problems are very rare in my experience.
You are capable of doing a top notch DIY trigger if willing to open it up and work on it ; Kidd trigger return spring, d&t an overtravel screw, stone the trigger internals and the hammer. Doing this I have modified triggers from 1.5 to 2.5 pounds. Factory pull weight generally exceeds the weight of the gun!
Here is a link to the gun that jeff is talking about, Has the sights, depending where they're at in size it is an easy stock module replacement to add/reduce length of pull (only two module lengths are avail regular and compact... uses the ruger american rimfire modules). I would probably go this route, do the trigger & mag release and see how it shot... good chance all you need! This is just one off of gunbroker did not search for the best price;
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/798307661Enjoy,
Jerry
Oh yeah... I would definitely get an extended mag release, depends on what works for them, but I would look at the ones that extend back over the trigger guard. Number them and try releasing the magazines, some of them will probably hang up. I have tried to shave some of them down which did not help.
Also... Nodak Spud makes a sight similiar to the one on the factory rifle that is in the gunbroker listing above. I know for a fact that it will co-witness with a Bushnell TRS-25 red dot. They have two front sights, one for a bull barrel and one for the factory taper barrel (mine is on the bull barrel version NDS-23). If you order one of the receiver sights insure it is the one for Ruger's 10-22 (and not Nodak's receiver).
http://www.nodakspud.com/NDS-22.htm
