My 7 year old twin grandchildren were over yesterday and my grandson shot my model 29 for the first time. We were using primer fired plastic bullets from Hornady. I set up a cardboard back stop in the basement and let him fire 10 or so rounds, he had a blast.

Hope to get them both out this summer to start shooting the 22lr Marlin 39A for the first time. Once I feel comfortable with their abilities I will progress them up to the K22. My boys started shooting at the age of six so I guess it's about time they learn.

My son was in high school when he asked to shoot the big bores. Off we went to the range with my Model 29 and Redhawk 41mag. After a quick tutorial, I loaded the 44mag and handed it to him, stressing to grip it "gently, but firmly." Seated at the bench with a sandbag rest, he touched it off. Evidently, he remembered the gently, but not the firmly. The barrel came back, hit him right in the head. Were it not for the bill of his ball cap, it would've creased his forehead, but good. That was that, he was done with it.

My know it all BIL (about 19 at the time) wanted to fire my Ruger super Blackhawk. I gave him good info and even fired a few to show him the recoil.

I loaded it with just one round.
Of course he did not handle the recoil well and he had no hat on. Sort of put a small canal on his center forehead. I just reached over and gently took the gun back, it was easy the barrel was still pointing straight up.

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14 S&W Revs none with locks!

My #2 daughter (aka Glock Girl),age 12 at the time, shot the 500 with 300 grn Swifts. She handled the recoil fine but didn't particularly like it.
Video attached.

https://i.imgur.com/eENBiby.mp4

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SWCA #3356, SWHF#611

My recommendation would be LONG discussion about difference between .44 SPL and MAGNUM. Then let them watch YOU shoot first emphasizing RECOIL control. No reason to let someone get injured by the gun and turned off forever.

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V/r,
Markham

Time to pull out the old movies and watch " Dirty Harry" with him ... I mean you have already "Made His Day " !

My daughter bought me the boxed set , all 5 Dirty Harry movies along with his reproduction Detective badge ... the only thing I'm lacking is a grand child ... but I'm ready when she is !

ATTABOY Grandpa !

Gary

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[QUOTE=delcrossv;141024567]My #2 daughter (aka Glock Girl),age 12 at the time, shot the 500 with 300 grn Swifts. She handled the recoil fine but didn't particularly like it.
Video attached.

Love the expression on her face!

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I have no intentions of letting him actually fire the 29 with any 44 mag ammo anytime soon, he's still far to young. His first experience with a handgun will be with the K22. It was the handgun myself, all my brothers and sister's and my sons learned to shoot with.

My father purchased the K22 new in the 50's and it has had a zillion rounds put through it in the last 70 or so years and it's till going strong. It is going to handed down to my granddaughter. I hope it continues to get well used for the next 70 years by her, her children and grandchildren.

I let the kids shot the Speer plastic bullets. I also cut the crimp off 410 shells and force a 3/8” nipple into shell. Makes mini barrel. With primer it is perfect to use pencil erasers for bullets. The 3/8” nipples are sold on a blister card for light fixtures and lamps.

An aside to my earlier post. My son's active duty Army. On his tour in Afghanistan, he fired a Barrett 50cal sniper rifle. I figure he's comfortable with big bores now.

My 12 year old has been shooting .44Spl from my all-steel .44s since she was 9 or 10. 240gr cowboy loads are no sweat from a 40+ ounce handgun.

She's shot some COR-BON 165gr .44 Magnums, but they are pretty mild from the factory. She much prefers the big, slow cowboy LFNs.

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Psalm 27:2

Many years ago, had my 36 Navy and 44 Walker at a range, and a dad and his son, maybe 12 or so, were watching, and I offered the lad the chance to shoot them. I still regret not warning him NOT to hold the big Walker with his left hand out on the barrel, because when he touched it off, he immediately put the Walker down on the bench in pain from the burnt powder burn to his left wrist, and walked away with his dad. To this day, I sometimes reflect how much that must have hurt. Perhaps he has a powder "tattoo" to this day on his inside left wrist. If he grew up to shoot revolvers, I am sure he cautions his own children to never let that happen to them.

All the best, and stay safe. SF VET

That's awesome that you're teaching them how to treat firearms and to shoot.

I have a 6.5" M-29-2 and I've never shot it. But one day I will.

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Kenny
Endeavor to persevere.