Yack yack yack....all this stuff about Savage this and Ruger that...I equipped my daughters with 10/22's. They are excellent rifles right out of the box and so easy to add aftermarket pieces should you choose to do so later on for your brother. You can pick up a brand new carbine and some ammo for less than $200. I still have my 10/22 and they out-do any Savage or Marlin rifles
I will not deny that a 10/22 is a fun rifle. However, out of the box the trigger is so so compared to others. Not to mention mine is very picky on ammo.