What age?

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Devilfrog

Devilfrog

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At what age should I start to consider taking my son to the range? He is just turning 4 this month and has been taught not to touch any firearms since he turned 3. Obviously his listening skills and "maturity" will play a part.
I picked up a Red Ryder BB rifle for when he's ready to start training and a .22 Crickett when he's ready for the first range trip.
So just looking for about what age and what your experience growing up and/or with your kid(s).
Thanks
 
I started my daughter on her 4th birthday. Ruger .22 it was a little big for her, so santa brought her a little pink cricket this year. She loves it! Will probably get her going with a 410 on her 5th b-day here in a few months. It is never too early to begin teaching safe and proper handling. I think this will help eliminate any curiosity she could possibly develop later on thus aiding in eliminating any "accidents". Plus, it is high quality, character building 1 on 1 time that we will both remember as long as we live.
 
I am planning on looking into whether or not the pink cricket will be manageable (will she be able to properly hold it?) for my daughter..... if so, I will be getting her one for her 4th birthday this coming April.
 
I started my son at 4 years old. An airrifle is a good start I got a moderately priced pellet rifle to start with vs. a smooth bore BB-gun that may or may not go where it was aimed. Also I got my son a 20 ga. vs. a .410. The 410 is more of an exoerts gun than a beginners IMHO, just look at the scores for the worlds best trap shooters. Their scores are straights all across the board until they get to the 410 then you see misses all over the place. A guy I used to work with did the 410 thing with his son when the boy turned 10. They went dove shooting every weekend and beforetoo long the kid just lost interest and quit going with Dad who used a 12 ga.
just my 2 pence worth.
rustycrusty
 
In my opinion, it has nothing to do with age and everything to do with the kid's personality, mental ability, and physical size (hands mostly). It's a Potter Stewart know-it-when-you-see-it type of situation.

Practicing the four rules at home with an airgun or fake gun is probably what I would do, for a good while, before the tyke could come to the range. I'd also have them shoot an airgun in the backyard or basement for a while as well. When you finally decide to take them, an outdoor range all to yourself, and a short-LOP suppressed single-shot .22LR bolt-action with iron sights is ideal in my opinion, but I understand not everybody has those options.
 
I started my son with a BB gun at 4, teaching him mainly about safety. He started with his 22LR crickett at the range when he was 5.
 
My son shot my .22lr for the first time when he was 5 and went on his first deer hunt (which lasted 9 days) when he was 6. It was like a drug, he was hooked.
 
Man, I'm jealous of y'all. I didn't shoot my dad's guns (a dirty Hi-Point 9mm and Kel-Tec P3AT) until I was 24 (last year). I have yet to get my first BB gun, but I think I'm old enough now.

I'll probably teach my kids safety around age 3-4. Then cap guns (do they still make those?) and BB maybe age 8...
 
i took my son shooting when he was three. i bought him a 22 rifle for his 7th birthday. you just have to watch him like a starving fox watches a chicken on the other side of a pen. as a matter of fact, i took him out yesterday and he goofed up. pointing the muzzle at me by mistake. i always make certain the safety is on when he bring the rifle down from his shoulder. i made a big deal about it, and took the gun from him. they are going to make mistakes when they are young. you just have to make certain that when they do mess up, you immediatly correct them with a firm hand. they are going to learn gun safety from you. so you have to be very dillegent about it. we always talk about gun safety before i put the rifle in the truck, and again when we get to the woods. but kids are just easily distracted, and dont realize it when they mess up. today, i am going to type up the gun safety rules in big, bold letters, and post them on the wall in his room. i think i should have done this before this.
 
My son started going to the range with me when he was six, started shooting when he was seven and just shot his Remington model 700 270 Winchester hunting rifle for the first time a few weeks ago, he's nine now.

It all depends on the maturity and listening skills of your child. I would not feel comfortable taking children as young as some here, but then again we started with 22LR.

Your child must know and implicitly follow safe handling rules as well as your instructions.

Be safe!
 
My son got an air rifle at 5. I started him shooting a .22 at 8. He also shoots a .38spcl and .45acp, with assistance.
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That is just about what I would do if they are interested in shooting. If not, I wouldn't worry about it.
 
That is just about what I would do if they are interested in shooting. If not, I wouldn't worry about it.
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He definately has the interest. A few friends shoot an informal IPSC at out home range, just some buddys no timer or anything. He liked watching so much that he has a holster for his co2 pistol and he shoots the stages with it.
 
WOW I am WAAAAAY behind!!

I just took my son to the range to shoot yesterday for the first time (he has been to the range with me before, just never to shoot) and he is 9! I bought him a bb gun a couple years ago but hasn't gotten to use it much. Anyway yesterday I let him shoot my 10/22 for the first time and he did GREAT!!! I was very proud of him, and he absolutely LOVED it! I let him take his target to school with him today for "sharing time". I know I probably should have started him a bit sooner but oh well, he's started now and Hooked!!!.


Toby
 
You can teach a child of 3 not to touch guns but you can never, ever trust him. In my opinion, whether you take him to the range or not, you must teach "finger off the trigger" (and the other safety rules) to all children to counter the programming they get from watching TV and movies. This should be required in publics schools. In my opinion, Hollywood producers need to be sued and imprisoned for their idiocy.
 
I started my daughter shooting at age 6. She shoots my little Ruger pistol or rifle. I'll load 1 round in the chamber, drop the mag, and put it on safety for her. Then I'll get set up with her and get her in a ready stance so she can take it off safety and shoot.

She has alot of fun shooting but I think she enjoys it so much because she gets to do a fun thing with dad that he enjoys doing too........ good times. :)
 
Depends on the kid and on the parents' comfort zone, imo.

My Dad was a certified NRA Range Officer when I was growing up, so I started shooting .22 LR when I was five. It did me a world of good, imo. Didn't shoot a handgun until I was in college, though, as my dad didn't own any and we were mainly into rifles.

With my sons, I started them on bb rifles and pellet rifles when they were about five. Then, as they got older they progressed to .22 LR. Then, while in middle school and high school, they got hooked on air soft guns and paint ball guns.

Finally, when they were around 16, I introduced them to handguns, etc.

It's been kind of easy for me, though, since I live on some acres and we can shoot as much as we want in our backyard, including squirrel hunting (and occasionally a pig).
 
I don't have kids yet.
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then you haven't lived yet! while it is true that kids will tie you down, and limit the things that you can (afford) to do. they are truely a gift from GOD! i can not, nor do i want, to consider my life without them anymore. some folks say that marrige completes a man, but that is hogwash. children, are what completes a man.
 
I know a lot of people will suggest that you teach your kid to shoot as early as possible. I disagree. I personally think that the right age to take a kid shooting for the first time is about 8.

But what it really boils down to is that there is no right answer. You should teach your kid to shoot when you feel he or she is old enough. We can't make that decision for you.

For the sake of discussion, I think that about 8 is an age when the kid will take it seriously enough and understand the actual danger of not obeying safety rules. I think that kids are more likely to enjoy it when they are about that age, where they might not find it as fun when they are younger.

Also remember that if you rush too much responsibility all at once, you might miss out on other mile stones, like pocket knives, bb guns, etc. I remember being a kid and getting my first swiss army knife. If I already had a .22 in my bedroom, like some kids did, it probably wouldn't have been as much of a milestone.
 
my daughter the oldest was 4 in dec, and as soon as i get my nylon 66 back from the smith she is going to the range with me, nothing fancy, just to let her get used to the noise, recoil etc.
 
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