I'm not sure if a Ruger American compact 22 meets your "higher quality" standard but I can't think of a better youth size rifle to start a young shooter on. An inexpensive module converts that rifle to a full size stock. Save the bigger $ for a full size gun when the kid is older. He'll have many more to choose from then.
Thanks. That's actually what he is shooting right now and I agree. He's been shooting that since he was 4. He may just want something new but he really wants a wood stock. He's an old soul.
