 NCUrk
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Joined: Apr 2011  NC, USA
 Posts: 947 Feedback: 100% (2) |
Posted: 8/8/2012 9:02:11 PM
THE IMAGE ABOVE IS A PAID ADVERTISEMENT When did you start taking your kids shooting with you? My boy turns 3 next month and I want to start teaching some fundamentals. I am thinking about starting out with either some airsoft or a BB gun as I don't think I can fit ear pro on him yet. Safety glasses wont be a problem, he loves wearing his sun glasses now, just need to get used to the idea of wearing them all the time around "weapons". I have heard some say start with a .22, but I dont want to scare him off with the noise level. He has a history (We are in the process of adopting) and doesn't like loud noises and for lack of a better term, is skittish around loud stuff. He really likes "Guns", He is all around pointing and looking at my guns when I come home from the range and clean them. I guess I am asking... How did you start your kids intro into guns? |
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limaxray
Canned sunshine, anyone?
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Joined: Nov 2002 USA
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Posted: 8/8/2012 9:17:13 PM
[Last Edit: 8/8/2012 9:18:21 PM by limaxray]
Started teaching the Eddie Eagle program (stop, don't touch, run away, tell an adult) at about age 2. Started basics of sight picture, etc. at about age 4 or 5. First range trip at 6, when they could demonstrate (at home) that they could safely control a firearm on the bench and handle it without violating the safety rules. First rifle for their 8th birthday.
Marlin's 15YN is a great youth model, the Cricket's a good choice too. Most adult-sized .22s are too big for kids that age. If he doesn't like the loud noises, start out with an air or BB gun, or take him to the range with a .22 and just let him listen. Plugs are sometimes too large for those little kid ears, so muffs are the best way to go, IMO. |
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mcnielsen
Badges? We don't need no stinking BADGES!!!
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Joined: Mar 2001 MN, USA
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Posted: 8/14/2012 12:53:46 PM
The noise is too much for my son yet. He's 5.5. I do Eddie Eagle with him and have since age 3. Now that he makes everything he owns into something to shoot with, I am teaching him the 4 rules on a casual basis. When he's ready for live fire, he will let me know.
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limaxray
Canned sunshine, anyone?
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Joined: Nov 2002 USA
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Posted: 8/14/2012 4:59:37 PM
One other thing to do––make sure he knows he can get into the gun safe with you anytime he wants, all he has to do is ask. About age 4-5 I told my boys that, we had a LOT of requests for about a month, then really tapered off until we started going to the range. Every time we opened it up, we did a safety brief (they had to not only memorize them, but practice them), then a dry-fire session. By the time they got to the range, they were not only familiar with the gun handling rules, but alot of the mystery of guns was gone. Familiarity breeds contempt, true, but it also builds confidence and habits.
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Posted: 8/15/2012 2:16:41 PM
Thanks for the input folks.
I still haven't taken him out to the range yet, but he is allowed to "Pull the trigger" with my Airsoft rifle in the back yard. Teaching him to never point it at anything but our target (He gets side tracked with the chickens running around...) Never play with it without a grown up.... |
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Posted: 9/18/2012 8:02:18 PM
good thread my daughter will be 3 in a few months and she is very into sitting with me while I clean and mess with my guns. She is always asking and pointing at the parts.
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