velobard
Member
I have 4 kids and started them all at 4 or 5 years old with my Marlin 60. It's still around and it's still fun.
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I have a Rem 511x with a shortened barrel and stock that my daughter started shooting when she was 10. After I showed her how to load the clip a couple of times she was self sufficient with the rifle. By the way, I bought that rifle from a friend in high school for $25.00 dollars and it will drive tacks.
Synergy
Member
I just taught my girlfriends 11 year old daughter and 13 year old son to shoot for the first time with a Marlin bolt action 22lr. I didn't want to teach them with a semi. I want to teach them safety, control and good sight picture with open sights. Some kids will just get carried away squeezing the trigger on a semi. I also started them on a bench with a rest. So the weight of the gun wasn't a problem and they can stay focused on the sights.
At Ben Avery, in Phoenix. Shooting at 50 yards.
At Ben Avery, in Phoenix. Shooting at 50 yards.
The Lone Haranguer
Member
No mention of the CZ452 Scout? This is CZ's youth rifle, a .22 bolt-action with a five-shot magazine and/or a single-round-loading device, very good open sights and/or can be scoped, built to the same quality standards as a "regular" 452. The first time I saw one I wanted it for myself, thinking it was a carbine. 
CZ452 Scout
For a handgun I would go with a .22 revolver.
CZ452 Scout
For a handgun I would go with a .22 revolver.
Just ordered a (pink)Crickett for my 9 yo. daughter. The reasons for choosing it were:
1) it is .22 lr and single shot, so each shot has to count and once the shot is off, I don't have to worry about her getting all excited and muzzle sweeping everyone around. (Not that it won't draw a stern reminder)
2) It is light and short enough for her to handle.
3) It's pink. What 9 yo girl doesn't love pink???
4) We have guns in the house. I think she is finally mature enough to understand what they are capable of and how to handle them responsibly.
1) it is .22 lr and single shot, so each shot has to count and once the shot is off, I don't have to worry about her getting all excited and muzzle sweeping everyone around. (Not that it won't draw a stern reminder)
2) It is light and short enough for her to handle.
3) It's pink. What 9 yo girl doesn't love pink???
4) We have guns in the house. I think she is finally mature enough to understand what they are capable of and how to handle them responsibly.
Gunsby_Blazen
Member
I would suggest a....
Ruger 10/22
Marlin lever .22
Maybe a Savage Arms single shot bolt action youth rifle..
like...
Ruger
http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/FAProdResults?function=famid&famid=39&variation=10/22%AE%20Rimfire&bct=Yes&type=Rifle
or
Marlin
http://www.marlinfirearms.com/Firearms/22Rifle/Golden39A.aspx
or
Savage
http://www.savagearms.com/cub.htm
or maybe this if you want a little more style..., but i like these types of stocks
http://www.savagearms.com/Cub_T.htm
There are tons more first guns out there, but I would stick to something simple like a lever gun or a single shot bolt. The more I think about it, the single shot bolt action seems the most logical approach for teaching as well as safety reasons.
Simple operations allow you to teach the mechanics better.
better to illustrate how the firearm functions...
just my opinion
Hope I helped
Ruger 10/22
Marlin lever .22
Maybe a Savage Arms single shot bolt action youth rifle..
like...
Ruger
http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/FAProdResults?function=famid&famid=39&variation=10/22%AE%20Rimfire&bct=Yes&type=Rifle
or
Marlin
http://www.marlinfirearms.com/Firearms/22Rifle/Golden39A.aspx
or
Savage
http://www.savagearms.com/cub.htm
or maybe this if you want a little more style..., but i like these types of stocks
http://www.savagearms.com/Cub_T.htm
There are tons more first guns out there, but I would stick to something simple like a lever gun or a single shot bolt. The more I think about it, the single shot bolt action seems the most logical approach for teaching as well as safety reasons.
Simple operations allow you to teach the mechanics better.
better to illustrate how the firearm functions...
just my opinion
Hope I helped
Started my son out at 4 with a BB gun, letting him shoot it supervised in our garage. He is 7 now and I recently bought him a .22LR Crickett which fits him near perfect. I also purchased a Walther P22 for him to take to the range in the last month. He didn't want to leave and we ended up shooting for 3 hours. My wife says he is too young, but I think he's a lot more responsible around my firearms than she is. My only 2r ules are this: 1) he gives me the four safety rules verbatim before he even gets to touch a firearm. 2) When/if he violates one of the safety rules, the guns go up for the day. So far he has only broken them 3 times in almost 4 years of shooting. My 4 year old daughter wants to shoot with me, but she's too small to safely handle the firearms. She does have her own rule though : she has to give me the "Eddie Eagle" rules before she can touch my firearms (she loves to help me "clean" them). The other day my son was telling me the gun safety rules and before he could get the words out, she blurts out "finger off the trigger until your ready to shoot". I about crapped my pants......definitely made this proud dad's day. Bottom line, go with the Crickett for a rifle, small .22 revolver of Walther P22 if you want to go the semi-auto route. Good luck!
Calibre44
Member
8 - 10 years of age. Start with a .22 Henry U/L then move on to a 10.22
possum
Member
handgun wise, ruger 22/45,rifle wise nylon 66, the same firearms that i learned on.
Bubbles
Member
My two year old daughter plays with a water pistol in the bathtub... 
When she's old enough to learn, we'll start her on a BB gun, one pellet at a time, then work up to a single-shot .22LR.
When she's old enough to learn, we'll start her on a BB gun, one pellet at a time, then work up to a single-shot .22LR.
velobard
Member
Just my personal thoughts on starting with a single-shot bolt action vs a semi-auto. If you're worried about kids getting carried away, or double-pulling because they're startled by the first shot (you can hardly call it bump firing on a 22), then just load one round at a time. You can start by teaching them how to load directly into the chamber, then teach them how the action works by loading one at a time into the mag. If you take these simple precautions I don't picture it being a safety issue to start with a semi-auto.
XDKingslayer
member
I think a lot depends on the kids age and size. I started my oldest daughter at age 9, when she showed an interest. That is the most important thing. Don't force it on them, wait until they show interest.
We started with a pellet gun to drill in firearm safety. Once that was ingrained I looked at the Crickets and that type of single shot .22 but they were all too small for her and they will out-grow it quickly. Besides, if they do get serious about it a single shot .22 isn't fun.
I ended up getting my daughter a 10/22 carbine. The shorter stock fit her better than a normal 10/22.
I stuck a cheap Wal-Mart BSA red dot scope on it. A lot of people feel you should teach a shooter iron sights before optics, but I don't think that's the way to go for a chile.
A child wants something to be fun. When my daughter started fishing I took her someplace I knew we would catch fish all day long. Small fish, but it was consistent. She had the time of her life and it hooked her on fishing. That wouldn't happen if I took her fishing someplace realistic where you might not catch anything all day. Shooting is the same. They want instant, pleasurable, easy results. A red dot on the 10/22 at a 15 yard range was the time of her life.
After that we started with smaller targets at 15 yards until we were down to the little black shoot and see pasties you use to patch up the holes on the larger targets. She could put all 10 shots into that little 1 inch dot.
At that point the red dot came off and we went to open sights. She was already hooked on shooting because she got those initial easy and pleasurable results and now wanted a challenge.
How you introduce them into shooting, in my opinion, is much more important than what you introduce them with.
And you're right, NOBODY outgrows a 10/22. When she's done shooting I usually end up running a magazine or 3 through it because I simply can't resist.
We started with a pellet gun to drill in firearm safety. Once that was ingrained I looked at the Crickets and that type of single shot .22 but they were all too small for her and they will out-grow it quickly. Besides, if they do get serious about it a single shot .22 isn't fun.
I ended up getting my daughter a 10/22 carbine. The shorter stock fit her better than a normal 10/22.
I stuck a cheap Wal-Mart BSA red dot scope on it. A lot of people feel you should teach a shooter iron sights before optics, but I don't think that's the way to go for a chile.
A child wants something to be fun. When my daughter started fishing I took her someplace I knew we would catch fish all day long. Small fish, but it was consistent. She had the time of her life and it hooked her on fishing. That wouldn't happen if I took her fishing someplace realistic where you might not catch anything all day. Shooting is the same. They want instant, pleasurable, easy results. A red dot on the 10/22 at a 15 yard range was the time of her life.
After that we started with smaller targets at 15 yards until we were down to the little black shoot and see pasties you use to patch up the holes on the larger targets. She could put all 10 shots into that little 1 inch dot.
At that point the red dot came off and we went to open sights. She was already hooked on shooting because she got those initial easy and pleasurable results and now wanted a challenge.
How you introduce them into shooting, in my opinion, is much more important than what you introduce them with.
And you're right, NOBODY outgrows a 10/22. When she's done shooting I usually end up running a magazine or 3 through it because I simply can't resist.
1911 guy
Member
Are you hunters or shooters? I think that makes a difference. If you're a family of hunters, who shoot only because it puts meat on the table (I grew up this way), then get a 20 or 28 guage shotgun. My first was a break open H&R 20ga. Anything larger is usually too much for a kid and a .410 has too small of a pattern for a beginner. Besides, it's pretty expensive to feed. If you're a family of shooters who may or may not hunt (I'm this way now), I'd opt for a bolt action .22 rimfire. Single shot or magazine fed, it really doesn't matter. My only complaint with autoloaders for kids is that most kids lack the discipline to really learn marksmanship when there a follow up only a trigger pull away. If you think your kid has the discipline, autoloaders will be fine.
I'd avoid scopes until they've gotten somewhat proficient with irons.
I'd avoid scopes until they've gotten somewhat proficient with irons.
Sav .250
Member
If it was me, I`d go with a .22 rifle of some kind. Fun to shoot and shells are cheap.
What ever you do .............Teach
safety!!!
What ever you do .............Teach
safety!!!
Galen
Member
My daughter started with a 2 1/2" black powder mortar . No recoil issue and she could see her target (hill side).
After that we went with a Ruger 10/22 and a Ruger Mark II pistol. My friends and I had her try each of our firearms to see what she liked and what fit. She really liked my friends Rossi 357 Magnum with 38 Special loads in it. It fit her well.
. No recoil issue and she could see her target (hill side).After that we went with a Ruger 10/22 and a Ruger Mark II pistol. My friends and I had her try each of our firearms to see what she liked and what fit. She really liked my friends Rossi 357 Magnum with 38 Special loads in it. It fit her well.
mainmech48
Member
Only you can decide when you think a child is mentally and physically mature enough to be introduced to shooting. I prefer that they be at least 7 or 8 in most cases for "real" firearms. Low-powerd airguns perhaps a bit sooner, and the "Eddie Eagle" type of safety precautions as soon as they're able to toddle about and respond to language.
I don't have any particular preference when it comes to brand, but over 40-odd years and dozens of newbies, both children and adults, I've formed some definite opinions. All I can say is that they've worked out very well IME.
First of all, I highly recommend the use of a manual action over a semiauto with both children and adults. I also favor something with either a visible hammer or cocking piece even though the action should ALWAYS be open and clear until they're ready to fire at the line.
There are several purely pragmatic reasons for this, IMO:
It adds another means for positive, instant visual verification of the firing status of the weapon relative to conditions at all times.
They help to reinforce safety, handling, operational and firing techinque lessons by requiring that a specific set of steps be repeated in the same order for every round fired. This increases the coach's opportunities to identify errors and correct them before they can become habitual and positively reinforce good practices with praise and encouragement.
"Ball and dummie" drills are an important teaching tool. Manual actions help make these easier to do and more effective for all concerned, IMO.
Single shot or repeater, size is important. Learning new things is hard enough without adding unnecessary complications, like trying to cope with something that's about as tough and awkward to get into proper contact with as a deadbeat borrower into the mix. A bit too small almost always works better than too big for both kids and adults. IME, how well it fits the student is much more important than how it operates when it comes to establishing the basics.
Try reactive targets first, especially with kids. It's been my experience that instant positive feedback builds confidence and helps establish and maintain interest at the critical introduction stage better than paper targets. Kids generally respond quickly and with enthusiasm to success, and that almost always translates into wanting to learn how to do it "better".
I've had good results with several types of longarms. I really like the Chipmunk, Cricket, Savage Cub etc. for very small kids. With larger kids my Rossi M62 pumps (one equipped with a shorter "youth" buttstock) have been big favorites. Along with them, my Marlin 39M and a new little Ruger 10/22 Compact have also been very useful to maintain high interest levels and add new skill sets as they outgrow the tiny bolt guns and become experienced enough to "graduate" to repeaters.
For handgun intros, I like revolvers and prefer single actions for many of the same reasons that I prefer manual action rifles.
Depending on the size of the student I've used a little Ruger NM Bearcat, the Single Six and a 4" Taurus M94 with much success. Personally, I prefer not to introduce them to semiautos until they've demonstrated a firm grasp of the basics of safe handling, satisfactory technical competence and shown an adequate understanding the importance of "fire discipline" with a revolver.
Just my own observations and opinions, FWIW to you. You're doing the best thing you possibly can for the future of our sport and our nation by passing the torch along to the next generation, and I thank you for that.
I don't have any particular preference when it comes to brand, but over 40-odd years and dozens of newbies, both children and adults, I've formed some definite opinions. All I can say is that they've worked out very well IME.
First of all, I highly recommend the use of a manual action over a semiauto with both children and adults. I also favor something with either a visible hammer or cocking piece even though the action should ALWAYS be open and clear until they're ready to fire at the line.
There are several purely pragmatic reasons for this, IMO:
It adds another means for positive, instant visual verification of the firing status of the weapon relative to conditions at all times.
They help to reinforce safety, handling, operational and firing techinque lessons by requiring that a specific set of steps be repeated in the same order for every round fired. This increases the coach's opportunities to identify errors and correct them before they can become habitual and positively reinforce good practices with praise and encouragement.
"Ball and dummie" drills are an important teaching tool. Manual actions help make these easier to do and more effective for all concerned, IMO.
Single shot or repeater, size is important. Learning new things is hard enough without adding unnecessary complications, like trying to cope with something that's about as tough and awkward to get into proper contact with as a deadbeat borrower into the mix. A bit too small almost always works better than too big for both kids and adults. IME, how well it fits the student is much more important than how it operates when it comes to establishing the basics.
Try reactive targets first, especially with kids. It's been my experience that instant positive feedback builds confidence and helps establish and maintain interest at the critical introduction stage better than paper targets. Kids generally respond quickly and with enthusiasm to success, and that almost always translates into wanting to learn how to do it "better".
I've had good results with several types of longarms. I really like the Chipmunk, Cricket, Savage Cub etc. for very small kids. With larger kids my Rossi M62 pumps (one equipped with a shorter "youth" buttstock) have been big favorites. Along with them, my Marlin 39M and a new little Ruger 10/22 Compact have also been very useful to maintain high interest levels and add new skill sets as they outgrow the tiny bolt guns and become experienced enough to "graduate" to repeaters.
For handgun intros, I like revolvers and prefer single actions for many of the same reasons that I prefer manual action rifles.
Depending on the size of the student I've used a little Ruger NM Bearcat, the Single Six and a 4" Taurus M94 with much success. Personally, I prefer not to introduce them to semiautos until they've demonstrated a firm grasp of the basics of safe handling, satisfactory technical competence and shown an adequate understanding the importance of "fire discipline" with a revolver.
Just my own observations and opinions, FWIW to you. You're doing the best thing you possibly can for the future of our sport and our nation by passing the torch along to the next generation, and I thank you for that.
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Snapping Twig
Member
- Joined
- Jul 7, 2007
- Messages
- 655
I started my daughter off with a .22 air rifle when she was @ 12, by the time she was 14 she was mature enough to take a Gunsite course.
She could field strip, fire and reload a 1911 before she could drive.
Last Saturday I had the opportunity to introduce a 13 year old young man to live fire practice. He had observed and participated in our gun training program, learned to field strip a 1911 and learn about muzzle and trigger control.
I selected a Ruger Mk II and a 4" 686 for him to work with at the range.
The Mk II feels like old slab sides and the operating controls are nearly identical. The 686 fires specials as well as magnums, so we used specials.
The combination of these two firearms was good, no heavy recoil and the feel of a 1911 and a typical revolver to familiarize him with basic handgun use.
He shot well and we will move to a 1911 in the near future. Who knows, perhaps one day he will try a full size N frame in .45Lc and eventually graduate to magnums - I hope so.
She could field strip, fire and reload a 1911 before she could drive.
Last Saturday I had the opportunity to introduce a 13 year old young man to live fire practice. He had observed and participated in our gun training program, learned to field strip a 1911 and learn about muzzle and trigger control.
I selected a Ruger Mk II and a 4" 686 for him to work with at the range.
The Mk II feels like old slab sides and the operating controls are nearly identical. The 686 fires specials as well as magnums, so we used specials.
The combination of these two firearms was good, no heavy recoil and the feel of a 1911 and a typical revolver to familiarize him with basic handgun use.
He shot well and we will move to a 1911 in the near future. Who knows, perhaps one day he will try a full size N frame in .45Lc and eventually graduate to magnums - I hope so.
OP
OP
Deleted member 66305
Guest
Thanks all!
theotherwaldo
Member
I started out with a Fanner-50 cap gun (never to be pointed at a person or non-game aninal), then a Red Ryder (shot my sister in the rump, lost the right to have a gun for two years), then a Remington Model 12.
Hokkmike
Member
8-10 (It ALWAYS depends on maturity - I have some 8th graders I would NOT shoot with)
.22 bolt action rifle with one bullet loaded (at a time) and a postive safety.
.22 bolt action rifle with one bullet loaded (at a time) and a postive safety.
41magsnub
Member
I agree with a lot of others on here that a non-semi automatic .22lr of whatever make/model strikes your fancy is best with open sights. I would hazard a guess that the majority of us who learned to shoot as a kid started on one of these. Pump, single loading, bolt, lever, whatever...
If necessary for the very first shooting a pump BB/pellet gun. I remember shooting both as a kid with my dad helping to hold the gun up.
If necessary for the very first shooting a pump BB/pellet gun. I remember shooting both as a kid with my dad helping to hold the gun up.
I am not surprised almost everybody here recommends a .22LR. I was going to do so too.
When you introduce a youngster to the shooting sports, it is your job to make sure that they enjoy every minute of it, and learns many things from it, not frightened or discouraged by the recoil or report.
Too bad Mattel doesn't make anymore of those "Fanner 50" capguns they used to make during the 1950s. The IDEAL gun to introduce a youngster around ages 5-7 to the shooting sports would be a Mattel Fanner 50. Then, you go up to a .22LR.
When you introduce a youngster to the shooting sports, it is your job to make sure that they enjoy every minute of it, and learns many things from it, not frightened or discouraged by the recoil or report.
Too bad Mattel doesn't make anymore of those "Fanner 50" capguns they used to make during the 1950s. The IDEAL gun to introduce a youngster around ages 5-7 to the shooting sports would be a Mattel Fanner 50.
Then, you go up to a .22LR.RockyMtnTactical
Member
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- Oct 21, 2006
- Messages
- 3,539
Depends on the kid, however, I don't think we can dispute that something in the .22LR power range is the best choice for a persons first introduction to firearms.
ZeSpectre
Member
What age really depends on the maturity level. I have one nephew I'd have trusted at 8 (he's turning 12 now). I have another nephew who's a little more...rambunctious and I don't really trust him at age 10.
My own progression felt pretty satisfactory so that's my basis...
Age 9 - Crossman 2100 Classic air rifle (pumped that thing so much my arms should have looked like Schwarzenegger's)
Age 10 - Dad started letting me shoot his Remington 552 BDL (I have GOT to get one of those someday).
Age 12 - Dad started letting me shoot his Mossberg 500 (20GA) shotgun. Never was my favorite though.
Age 13 - Starting to get some "growth" on me so dad let me shoot his Remington 760 (.243 Winchester). A REAL handfull for a slight 13 year old but I LOVED it! He also let me shoot a 1911 for the first time. Didn't like the 1911.
Age 14-15 Wore that airgun out. Dad bought me a used Savage (and now I can't remember the model) .22LR. It was a bolt action and made for a LEFT hander (yea!).
Age 17 - Shot a .357 Magnum for the first time (Ruger Blackhawk). Thought it was the most awesome thing I'd ever fired! Shortly thereafter my grandfather gifted a Smith & Wesson 686 "to my dad". It was really for me but I was too young to legally own it. I got to shoot it whenever I could afford to buy ammo (which was not often <sigh>).
Age 18 - Legal Adulthood and off to college. (and while I was away someone broke into the parents house and stole a lot of stuff including all of the firearms <sigh>).
My own progression felt pretty satisfactory so that's my basis...
Age 9 - Crossman 2100 Classic air rifle (pumped that thing so much my arms should have looked like Schwarzenegger's)
Age 10 - Dad started letting me shoot his Remington 552 BDL (I have GOT to get one of those someday).
Age 12 - Dad started letting me shoot his Mossberg 500 (20GA) shotgun. Never was my favorite though.
Age 13 - Starting to get some "growth" on me so dad let me shoot his Remington 760 (.243 Winchester). A REAL handfull for a slight 13 year old but I LOVED it! He also let me shoot a 1911 for the first time. Didn't like the 1911.
Age 14-15 Wore that airgun out. Dad bought me a used Savage (and now I can't remember the model) .22LR. It was a bolt action and made for a LEFT hander (yea!).
Age 17 - Shot a .357 Magnum for the first time (Ruger Blackhawk). Thought it was the most awesome thing I'd ever fired! Shortly thereafter my grandfather gifted a Smith & Wesson 686 "to my dad". It was really for me but I was too young to legally own it. I got to shoot it whenever I could afford to buy ammo (which was not often <sigh>).
Age 18 - Legal Adulthood and off to college. (and while I was away someone broke into the parents house and stole a lot of stuff including all of the firearms <sigh>).
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