Teach your kids how to shoot

[johniac7078]

Hi Folks: I think we often forget, or at least too many do, that as shooting enthusiasts it is critical to each the next generation. The AR 15 is a great platform to introduce kids to the sport. I have been teaching my daughter, I think she is getting pretty good. Have a look!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IRH_6CTAfs

Always stress the basics and SAFETY SAFETY SAFETY. We also do a safety briefing on the way to the range and before we start to shoot.

Take care.

[evenodds20]

Its funny this topic came up because i just purchased a S&W M&P 15-22 for my 3 year old to learn on. I took him out for the first time 3 days ago and he loved it. Hes still a little small to hold the rifle up by himself but he tries to look down the iron sights and fires in rapid succession. Its funny as hell but im a proud dad. Actually, my wife bought the gun for me to take him with, kind of a present for him, but with the meaning and the holiday all wrapped together. I wasnt supposed to know about it til fathers day but as soon as i walked in from my motorcyclw safety class, he grabbed my hand and said "daddy daddy mommy bough u a gun" haha! That alone was worth more than the actual present. He always looks out for me.

[Inkslinger]

I remember like it was yesterday...I was six years old the first time I fired my grandfathers .22lr revolver, his "Saturday night special". Starting out with an AR would be like going from Pong to Playstation.

[tealio]

I was a little older the first time my dad let me shoot his marlin model 60 .22lr. Maybe 10 or so? He never really caught the gun bug, but I sure did. He gave me that old .22 a while back and it's a great shooter still.

I have an "almost 5" year old girl and another girl that's 18 months. Inwant to get them into shooting at an early age, but I'm not sure what age is appropriate, and I also don't want her (my oldest) to be scared of all the noise and get turned off by that. She asks to go to the range with me, but I don't think she understands where I'm going or what I'm doing. Any suggestions? I think this would be easier with a boy.

[jbo723]

I have three daughters, a 17yr old, 11yr old, and a 3yr old. Everyone one of them thouroughly understand the just how dangerous a firearm can be if not handled properly and treated as a toy. I make the two older one recite the 4 firearm safety rules prior to any range session and let them work on the fundementals by handling the gun/rifle at home with dry fire exercises. They all have shown a genuine interest since and I take them out as much as I can. Obviously the youngest one still has a way to go but, she seems like the one that will share the same passions I have when it comes to everything that surrounds getting proficient with shooting.

[halo2304]

I was a little older the first time my dad let me shoot his marlin model 60 .22lr. Maybe 10 or so? He never really caught the gun bug, but I sure did. He gave me that old .22 a while back and it's a great shooter still.

I have an "almost 5" year old girl and another girl that's 18 months. Inwant to get them into shooting at an early age, but I'm not sure what age is appropriate, and I also don't want her (my oldest) to be scared of all the noise and get turned off by that. She asks to go to the range with me, but I don't think she understands where I'm going or what I'm doing. Any suggestions? I think this would be easier with a boy.

I know what you're going through. My girlfriend has a son who's 5yo and I'd LOVE to take him to the range, but he's just not mature enough. I think that's the thing people should be looking at rather than a specific age to start the next generation of shooters.

[evenodds20]

like i said b4. my son is 3. hes is relatively obedient so i gave it a shot. b4 we exited the car, i put his hearing protection on. he understands what it is since i make him wear it when he rides the lawn mower with me too (i own a small Landscape biz). anyways, i tried to communicate to him that he is going to hear alot of loud noises and that its ok. nothing to worry about. the first step out of the car.....POP. his eyebrow raised, and stood erect and looked to see what was going on. i bent down and asked if that scared him. he shook his head no. right there, i knew he was gonna be ok!

I think you just have to take baby steps with them. im not a believer in keeping toy guns away from kids. I also think that they are never too young to learn the basics. every time he gets a toy gun, i tell him NEVER point it at anyone and NEVER touch the trigger until you are ready to destroy whatever it is your weapon is aimed at. he may have a little trouble comprehending fully, but i think he gets it for the most part. he know not to point it at people.

As far as range behavior, it was all business. I made if very clear we were not playing any games. i let him know to sit in his chair, on the opposite side of the fire line, and stay seated until he grabbed my attention to get up. i was proud that he obeyed that command. he sat patiently waiting for his turn to try out his new rifle. I have let him hold it in the house before but under strict circumstances triple checking the chamber, making it safe, etc...

When he finished his first mag, he stood calmly while i loaded up a second. i think he got the message that guns are not toys. he knew that was not the place to play, and that i would end the trip at the first sign of immaturity or disobedience. To sum it up, he acted like a well disciplined soldier and did everything i asked. I think that age can understand, you just have to ask yourself if you have that control over your child. not that its a bad thing.

Both my 3 year old and my 1 year old are very obedient. When we go outside, they know not to go into or past the ditch in our yard unless my wife or I are at the end of the driveway. they know that if i speak, they stop and listen. it takes being stern, consistent, and fair. They may not like it but I only have to say lets go in once, and they both turn around and head for the garage. maybe its because i still believe in the old fashioned spanking, whereas my neighbors across the street get 20 minutes of cardio every day to get their 4 year old in because they do not believe in using the stern voice, or a pop on the ass once in a while. the boy knows they wont do shit, therefore he runs around all he wants.

bottom line, give it a shot. you can always call the trip early if things get out of hand. and introduce them slowly to it as well so u dont scare them. sorry for the long post, just thought i would give my 2 cents.

[DeathMetal]

I know what you're going through. My girlfriend has a son who's 5yo and I'd LOVE to take him to the range, but he's just not mature enough. I think that's the thing people should be looking at rather than a specific age to start the next generation of shooters.

I agree totaly! Maturity level is the biggest key here.

[Bimmer]

I have an "almost 5" year old girl and another girl that's 18 months. Inwant to get them into shooting at an early age, but I'm not sure what age is appropriate, and I also don't want her (my oldest) to be scared of all the noise and get turned off by that.
She asks to go to the range with me, but I don't think she understands where I'm going or what I'm doing. Any suggestions?

I'm in the same boat. My daughter will be six in October. She sees me packing to go to the range and coming back, and she wants to come along. I want to take her.


Age appropriate: IMHO, a kid should be at least 5 or 6.

Evenodds obviously thinks differently, but then he also just did an MSF course and he takes his 3-year-old on his riding mower with him...
I'm not judging, just saying that he obviously worries a lot less about things that I do.

Anyway, she's tall for her age, but her arms were still too short to shoulder the Savage Mini Youth Cub I got her last time we checked. Maybe this Fall or Winter...


Suggestion #1: if you don't have one, get a .22. EDIT: I've also got a .22 conversion for my AR, in addition to the little Savage.

The last thing you want to do is try to teach a new shooter to shoot with full power .223 ammo...


Suggestion #2: Go to a range when/where you know it'll be empty, or go to BFE. There'll be a lot less distractions if it's just the two of you.


Suggestion #3: when you take your kid shooting, then just take your kid shooting, and don't expect to get any shooting done yourself.
Again, Evenodds expects his 3-year-old to sit still while he shoots, but I wouldn't let my daughter out of my sight at the shooting range.

I think this would be easier with a boy.

Wrong, IMHO.

I've taught a lot of friends and colleagues to shoot, and it's invariably MUCH easier to teach women than men.

I've spent a lot of time around little kids, too (I volunteer in my daughter's kindergarten), and the girls are almost always better behaved and less spastic than the boys.
Before my daughter was born I always thought that I wanted a boy, but now that I've seen what maniacs most little boys are, I'm glad I have a daughter.

[black op]

I agree that when you take your kid shooting it should be about them and not about you. Most kids attention spans are very short so in no way can you expect them to sit there while you shoot. the only time I shoot when I take my son to range is to verify sights and such. The Range is the last place you wont your kid wondering off.