[HVAC-TEK]

OK, I dont usually start threads but I have a good question and thought you could give some great input.

While I was in my kitchen doing my weekly cleaning on my carry gun, my daughter, who is seven, asked me when I was going to teach her to shoot guns. This got me, as I never really thought about it. Being a girl, and being from a liberal household, my parents never taught me to shoot.

So here is the three part question.
1) What age were you when you first went shooting?
2) At what age do you think is right for a child’s first shooting experience?
3) My XD40 is probably a little much for a seven year old little girl, but what do you think of my KelTec P32. It seems to be just the right fit and size for her. Good starter pistol, or should I buy her one of those kids rifles. I saw a really cute one with a pink wooden stock in .22 :wink:

KIM

 

[therooster]

1. to young to remember... probably around 5 or so

2. the sooner the better! it will change her life in so many ways.

3. let her try one of each, see what she likes, then just go from there.



please keep us updated on this.

 

[TomSwift]

I was about 7 when I started shooting with my dad and that was with a .303 rifle.

If you are going to start her out on a pistol I wouldn't have her shoot anything other than a .22. If the .32, for whatever reason, should cause her to hurt her wrist or scare her, you've lost and it may take a long time to get her interested again. Bring 'em on slowly.

 

[repeet]

I was about eight. Marlin .22 bolt rifle with a magazine feed.

I think small caliber rifles are perfect for children because:

1) They can't hide them. You always know when they have the weapon.

2) A long gun is harder to swing around wildly and helps you teach keeping the barrel down range.

3) A long gun fills up both of your hands, and reminds you to keep you mind on what your doing.

I didn't fire my fathers service pistol (did I say that out lould) until I was ten or so. You have to be big enough to absorb the kick of a .357mag. I suspect the same would be true of your .40.

 

[bd]

I think she's old enough to start shooting a .22 youth's rifle. I'd be sure she was very well versed in gun safety before I started her on handguns.

A single shot .22 rifle is a great trainer for gun handling and safety.

From my experience, I really don't think a P32 would be a good starter gun. It's really too small.

Let her get the basics from a rifle, then move on to other options.

I'm glad you have such a great relationship with your daughter.

Buy her some ice cream for me. :wink:

bd

 

[aheXD40]

1. I believe I was between 5-7 yrs old, Can't remember for sure. Started on .22 rifles, tube feed(I know, not the safest). Gradually moved up to bigger and better

2. Around that same age group(5-7, no later than 10) is a good time to start out. Of course w/ proper safety precautions.

3. I have to agree w/ what a few others said. If she shoots something too big and gets hurt somehow by it, it's gonna be a lost cause and she will become gun shy. I'd start w/ a .22 rifle of some sort. Start her on a bench so she doesn't have to support the whole weight of the gun, which will also help. If she enjoys shooting, she will be able to go longer then as well.

I say ^^^#3 because my .22 rifle that I have w/ a birch stock, is actually heavier than my 7mm-08 deer rifle is, but that has a synthetic stock.

 

[JimLongley]

The summer after my eighth birthday, my grandfather prevailed on my father to "teach" me. I actually had been shooting a rifle a little before that, we had a range in the basement of our house and shot down there, but it was less formal and I don't count it.

I was given a 1911 and a FM and told that when I could field strip it and put it back together I would be able to shoot it, it didn't take me long to learn.

I have varied the starting age for each of my kids based on their personailities.

Start with a .22 and work up.

 

[mcb]

1) What age were you when you first went shooting?

I was five when I started. I would sit in my dad's lap, he would hold the gun and I would aim his Winchester model 62 pump action and pull the trigger.

2) At what age do you think is right for a child’s first shooting experience?

With a lot of superviosion I think 5-6 is OK. Short session so they don't loose focus.

3) My XD40 is probably a little much for a seven year old little girl, but what do you think of my KelTec P32. It seems to be just the right fit and size for her. Good starter pistol, or should I buy her one of those kids rifles. I saw a really cute one with a pink wooden stock in .22 :wink:

A Daisy Red Rider or similar BB gun is a good place to start. Quieter, lighter and safer. Then move up to a good single shot 22 rimfire. (a good thread on that: http://www.hs2000talk.com/viewtopic.php?t=21451&highlight=). And then from there where ever her interests take her.

mcb

 

[Verm]

I started at 6. Dad taught me because of his work.
I would also recommend a .22 to start with and work her up. Even the P32s have a little bite for small hands. (plus it gives you a reason to buy a new gun)

I tell my students and anyone else willing to listen that the best age to start teaching about firearms safety is when they are old enough to listen. If you have firearms in the house, you want to make sure the people in the house know about guns, their safety and definately what they can do. Education beats curiosity.

I remember one thing my dad showed me as a child that is engrained in my head. He got a watermelon and made me shoot it with his .357 revolver to show me what a gun would do to another person. The sight of that thing exploding stayed with me to this day.

 

[dsg2003gt]

i was 8 or 9, gun was a .22 bolt LR.

 

[I_Route]

You might check with firearms clubs in your area. The NRA sponsors many Junior Member programs. They can have everything from BB Gun/Air Rifle to Junior High Power Rifle. The club I belong to has Junior Air Rifle and Junior Rifle (22 LR) programs that kids can join.

Just another option......

 

[Motion]

i was 5 and first shot ever was with a singleshot 410.. Scared the bejeebers outah me but i loved it.

 

[NakPPI]

My understanding is age doesn't really matter as long as the child understands that what he/she shoots is NOT coming back. Young kids don't always understand what it means when something "dies" or gets "killed." Sometimes it's better to use the word "destroyed." Either way, as long as the child understands the mechanics and consequences of his/her actions any age is ok, everyone develops at different rates...

 

[HighVelocity]

I think it's great that you're daughter has shown interest. I would definitely get her shooting as soon as possible.
A kids sized 22 rifle is a great choice.

One thing you MUST do is het her some really GOOD hearing protection. If it hurts her ears she won't want any part of it.

 

[HVAC-TEK]

I was hoping you would say the .22.

I just think that pink single shot .22 is soooo Cute! :wink:

I guess im saving up for a new toy!

KIM

 

[mgtd]

I started my daughter at about 8 with a Beeman pellet rifle then Beeman pellet pistol. Then 22 rifles, followed by Ruger Mark 22 pistols. She's 17 now and shoots my XD 40 tactical.

 

[RonS]

I was 8, and it was my birthday. My dad brought home a box of .38 reloads from the police dept and we went to the edge of the woods at my grandparents farm. I still have vivid images and memories of that trip. We shot the .38s in his Blackhawk and then ran about a box thru his Colt .22 target revolver.

My father passed away in 1983, but I still have both of those guns; one will be passed on to each of my two daughters when the time comes.

I'd start with a .22 youth size rifle. I had a ball with the Colt .22 revolver, but a bull barrel .22 on an Officers Model frame is HEAVY, I doubt that I hit anything!

Oh, and ear protection needs thinking thru in advance, some muffs don't squeeze down enough for kid's heads.

 

[RonS]

I was 8, and it was my birthday. My dad brought home a box of .38 reloads from the police dept and we went to the edge of the woods at my grandparents farm. I still have vivid images and memories of that trip. We shot the .38s in his Blackhawk and then ran about a box thru his Colt .22 target revolver.

My father passed away in 1983, but I still have both of those guns; one will be passed on to each of my two daughters when the time comes.

I'd start with a .22 youth size rifle. I had a ball with the Colt .22 revolver, but a bull barrel .22 on an Officers Model frame is HEAVY, I doubt that I hit anything!

Oh, and ear protection needs thinking thru in advance, some muffs don't squeeze down enough for kid's heads.

 

[Captain Ray]

Those little Barreta .22 NEO's are pretty cool!

My daughter is scared of my XD

To loud, to scary for her. She like the little Baretta .22 lr the best

Her luck with rifles depends on the size, she likes shooting them but,

She is little.. the Glenfield Mod. 25 is too big for her to stand and shoot.. the Ruger 10/22 is just about right.

But beware! If she breaks a fingernail..

It will take 15 to 20 minutes to get her back to shooting!

And picking up Brass is the best part of the day!

Raymond

 

[XD BACKUP GUN]

I was 5 or so when I first shot a gun...a single shot .22 rifle.
I shot my first Pistol around 7 or 8 a a .22.
I have a nephew that will be 6 and I will be buying him a Youth .22 Rifle for his Birthday in July.
A Single Shot Bolt Action .22 would be perfect for your daughter.