What age to teach youngsters how to shoot?

James 61

James 61

Joined
Jun 19, 2007
Messages
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I have been around here for awhile and I have been impressed with the advice offered when it has been asked for.

I have a daughter who is really bright and is already interested in knives and guns. My question is at what age would it be appropriate to start teaching her how to shoot?

I have an idea what rifle to start with but I wouldn't be against hearing any suggestions.

Since this is the Busse Forum
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hi,,my son is 13 now.i started him off with a daisy bb gun and a airsoft m4 copy[full auto] about 2 years ago.in the last year he has shot my 10/22 rifle,glock 17 & smith 686 .357 mag.i think its a individule thing,only you will know when its time:thumbup:
 
I think I got my Daisy Red Rider BB gun at 8 or so.

And my first gun was a 10/22 that my dad won when I was 10.


I guess the right age is whatever age you feel comfortable with.

Just remember, after you teach firearms, bow comes next :D
 
My dad taught me to shoot with a 12 gauge when I was 9. It wasn't until I was 12 that I ever wanted to shoot again.

You can teach a kid to shoot early, but make sure the weapon you use is appropriate for the age...;)
 
My daughter has asked to learn to shoot and she's 11. I think I may take her to the range the next time I go. They have a good introductory class tailored to kids, and I want to capitalize on her excitement about shooting and introduce her to proper gun handling and the fun of shooting while she still wants to. In a few years it may be "uncool" when she hits the teenage years. ;)

- Mark
 
I started with a BB rifle at some forgotten age in grammar school. I'd suggest an air rifle with decent sights instead.
 
Other than an uncle who is into the sport of shooting, as well as hunting, most of my family is not into firearms. My dad let me shoot a .22 pistol a few times when I was 8yo...a real Saturday Night Special (Sterling Arms :barf:) and I began attending a summer camp in NH when I was 9yo where I learned to respect firearms and shoot .22 rifles at their NRA sponsored range. This was also where I was retrained to shoot left handed thanks to an observant rangemaster/counselor. I appreciated the experience and once I became used to shooting LH, this is where I learned that I have considerable natural talent for...well, "point & shoot interfacing". ;)
I have no kids, but if I did, I'd start to familiarize them as young as I felt that they were ready and could handle it...basically the same age as when I was introduced.
 
I fired a .22 when I was 7, but that was in Texas where all my uncle had to do was take us on his side yard...

I don't see a problem with starting off with a BB gun, just make sure its CO2 or a light spring or you're going to end up doing all the pumping.

Might be better to start of with a couple of cheap BB guns, easier to learn to not blink when you fire.

Check out the GAMO Viper Express or Shadow Express. They're .177 pellet rifles that take GAMO shotshells. Yep, its a air rifle/shotgun... just about the most fun you can have without gunpowder.

There's a rail for mounting a scope and the gun actually has a little kick for an air rifle. I don't know if that's common for break-barrel air guns, but it gives you a little more realistic feel.

Happy shooting!
 
James, how mature and responsible she is should be the determining factor rather than the number of years breathing. ;)
For example, I was very proficient with a Winchester model 121 single shot 22 bolt action at the ripe old age of 7, but I didn't grow up with video games, text messaging and facebook, but I did grow up with chores, spankings and fairly strict guidance. Of course it was a boring gun to shoot compared to what the adults were shooting for good reason. First, it teaches life isn't fair and those who make the rules don't always follow them, but there may not be much you can do about it. ;) Second, single shots teach a kid to make each round count since it sure isn't fun to reload after every miss compared to just pulling the trigger on a 10/22 over and over without regard to the quality of aim. After a few thousand rounds I was allowed to graduate to the fun multi-shot guns but I still try to make every shot count to this day.
 
If she has already expressed an interest, then the time to teach her is now. Start with safety, safety, and safety. Then sight picture, breath control, trigger squeeze, etc. After bb guns, the first firearm I taught my nephews on has been a single shot 22 bolt.
 
I started shooting with my uncle and my Grandpa @ 5 years old. I just started my youngest out this last year. My youngest son was 5 and my youngest daughter was 8. It is definitely something we work on as a family.
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My wife got to broaden her sights as well this last year.
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I started my kids out when they hit 7 with a single shot 22. rifle. My daughter is a way better shot than my son (much to his annoyance).
 
I think the right age to teach about guns is 3. No, seriously. I think if you teach kids to respect guns (even toy ones) right off the bat, they will be more comfortable and responsible later on. (talking about like teaching them to watch where they point it, etc)

I think though a pump bb gun is great around the time they really grasp the concept of how dangerous it could be if they dont take it serious. Sidenote, pump guns keep kids occupied longer :) ask me how I know...

And when they are proficient(ish) and safe, nothing beats a 22LR bolt action for some good old plinking

Edit: like how I never directly answered your question? sorry about that.
 
Maturity and physical ability will be my son's determining factor. Not necessarily age. My son is 4 now, and he knows his guns and has been around them quite a bit. He cant quite lift one, but I reinforce safety and the right frame of mind he should be in, until the day comes when he can lift one. I'm guessing in another year or two, he'll have the stature to begin to safely shoot a small .22 or BB gun. He can just about shoulder one of those tiny Cricket 22s.

This last Christmas, while on Santa's Lap at the town tree lighting, he told Santa he wanted a sniper rifle. Tears formed in my eyes... :D
 
I learned to handle a .22 with my Dad about 5 years old.

My youngest son is in Cub Scouts, and they start with BBs at age 8 or 9. This teaches them safety, range procedure, etc. They graduate to .22 single shot rifles when they go into Boy Scouts about age 11. I think this has worked out well for him. Other Councils/Districts may do this differently...

TedP
 
James, a lot of excellent advice & various ages too. I started carrying a .410 shotgun going hunting with my dad, uncle, & grandfather when I was 8 yrs. old. Problem was, I would have had to run down any game I wanted because dad did not give me any shotshells to carry . . . . :) I carried this gun empty for 3 years, up hills, across creeks, snow, a gazillion cornfields, etc. On my 12th birthday, there was only one small present on the table, a single .410 shotshell from my dad, uncle & grandfather. I guess I had confirmed to dad I had reached that point of trust & confidence with him.
Growing up on a farm back in the 60's and being around firearms then was a completely different world than now. Less land to hunt & fish, a lot less choices available now a days. Good luck with your teaching, kudos to you for getting your children involved in the great outdoors.
Be safe.
 
My daughter started with a Red Rider at 5 or 6. learning the basics of gun safety. I would guess she was about 7 in this picture with her Chipmunk 22 (shooting glasses can't be seen in this pic, but she has them). I load it with 22 short cb caps for the kids. They are quiet and quite a bit less powerful than a LR or even a regular short...

Clay pigeons make a great target because the explode. Kids respond better to things blowing up than the do holes in paper, and it gives them the instant gratification of a bullet well placed. Also it gives them a good appreciation of the power of the gun. A shaken up Cola can (full) really explodes well... and will make them think twice where they point the bbl. Oh... and make the shots CLOSE... no more than 5 yards to start out. Success encourages people... don't set them up for failure, please.

I've always believed that people should learn to shoot iron sights first... when they master the sights and trigger control they can learn to shoot through a scope.


I have had the benefit of teaching several kids to shoot. Don't forget to lavish praise on them when they do right, and perhaps more importantly... scold when they do something unsafe. Work on their form when they get the basics down.

PS... she is 13 now and killed her 1st deer at 11 with a .270. This past season she dropped a three whitetail and a big pig at ranges up to 175 yards with 'her' .308. Practice pays off... :thumbup:
 
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