i got my fiance a marlin model 60 for christmas last year first time shooting one and she absolutely loves it. i have been debating getting one for myself. i have been told by several people they are very reliable and have had gunsmiths tell me people bring them in because the bolt wont go into battery- that being said the rifle had been shot like crazy with out cleaning and just needed to be cleaned and was like butter afterwards. great rifles. or you could always go with a savage mk2 gotta love them also
I got my son the 597 for his 13th birthday 3 years ago and its been a fantastic gun. I went with the Remmy for my son because it is a little longer rifle and felt it would fit him better. The only reason I am going with the Ruger 10/22 for my daughters is that they are a little smaller rifle and should be easier for them to handle