Hey guys I need some advice.  My parents have some friends that are kinda strapped for cash this Christmas but the wife would like to buy her husband a rifle.  A 22 just to get into shooting.  Does anyone know of a rifle that can be picked up for cheap?

Marlins are good and usually pretty cheap. Try the pawn shops, should be able to pick up a used one for less than $100.

Look for a Romanian 1969 training rifle.  I got two of them for $80 awhile back.  Shoots well, and they have that certain commie panache to them too.

Another good, inexpensive .22 is any Mossberg bolt-action. They made a ton of 'em and I've bought them for as little as $50 in VG+ condition. Lotsa variety, carbine to rifle length, mag- or tube-fed. Accurate as all get-out and never made one break on me.

TREETOP has the right idea.

Only problem with the 77/22 is that in the big scheme of .22s, it is not that inexpensive.

Quoted: Look for a Romanian 1969 training rifle....

Ditto that.  I got two of them at Big 5 Sporting Goods for $59 each.  Plus $13 each for a spare magazine, $14 Dealer's Record of Sale and 8.25% sales tax 'cause I live in Californistan, and $10 for a trigger lock as mandated by the local Caliban ministry.  Still a very good deal!

Check one out if you haven't seen them.  The rear sight is a three-blade Safari type regulated for 25, 50, and 100 meters, driftable for windage.  Front sight has a shroud to protect it, and screws up and down for range with an SKS or AK-type adjustment tool.

It's a very solid rifle.  Definitely accurate enough for plinking or small game.

Just one small minus - The receiver has a scope mount dovetail machined into it.  That's good, but it's a European 10 mm mount and won't take standard 3/8" hardware.  There's probably an adapter available somewhere if you care.

The 77/22 has a lot going for it.  If Ruger would make it in a left hand bolt, I would buy one on the spot.
For a lower cost option, one of the Marlin model 25s are hard to beat.  They are well known for reliability and accuracy.  I'm sure they can be had at the "mart" store for less than $125.00.  Not nearly as nice fit & finish as the 77/22, but a bit lower initial entry cost.
I have a Savage Mark II (LH).  It's okay, and frankly very similar to the Marlin.  Wal-mart sells them for about a hundred bucks.  They are Canuck made, however - that may be an issue for some folks.

I just got a 77/22 varmint (laminated stock heavy barrel) last month. I paid 400 for it, which included a bushnell sportview scope. It didn't come w/ a box or paperwork and it was never fired. I only sighted it in so far but it consistently hit a 1" shoot-n-see at 50 yards. should be able to do 1/2 inch or better after thorough testing.

Most important question to get right answer maybe "What/how/where is this gentleman going to do with his .22?
Target shooting on a range/backyard, go hunting squirrels/rabbits, groundhogs, or just go off into the field plinking? Kids around??