My 20 yr old daughter is interested. She came over tonight, and I went over the basics, as i know them. She is a college student, and just pretty as hell. We are going to the range tomorrow night for her first shoot. Looking for advise from all of you veterans as to how I get my kid and her mom ( mom is interested too ) involved. THE RIGHT WAY. I took my concealed class last week, and want this to be a family thing, as well as a way for my girls to take care of themselves. Help is ALWAYS appreciated.
how to get your kids started?
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zachomega
Member
.22 LR.
Everybody I have taken shooting has enjoyed themselves immensely after shooting a .22. Save the big guns for later. They can be intimidating. In fact, go on youtube and watch all of those videos of guys putting their girlfriends up to shooting large calibers for a what NOT to do guide.
-Zach
Everybody I have taken shooting has enjoyed themselves immensely after shooting a .22. Save the big guns for later. They can be intimidating. In fact, go on youtube and watch all of those videos of guys putting their girlfriends up to shooting large calibers for a what NOT to do guide.
-Zach
papajohn428
Member
A. Emphasize safety, at ALL times. (But you knew that).
B. Start with the mild stuff, 22's and then mild 38's and maybe end there, but if she's handling it well, move up in caliber/bullet weight/recoil. You'll know when to stop......maybe she'll tell you when she's had enough. Don't push it. Baby steps are good.
C. Gun/grip fit matters as much as anything. If her hand doesn't like it, she won't shoot it well, so let her try a lot of different grips and styles. Heavier guns are better with beginners, less recoil and more to hang on to.
D. Make it FUN. Because it is.
E. Reward good shots with attagirls, try to diagnose bad shots with helpful, constructive criticism. Don't go to bigger calibers until she's ready. It may take several range sessions before she's comfortable with anything more than a 22.
F. Enjoy the moment. This is good stuff!
B. Start with the mild stuff, 22's and then mild 38's and maybe end there, but if she's handling it well, move up in caliber/bullet weight/recoil. You'll know when to stop......maybe she'll tell you when she's had enough. Don't push it. Baby steps are good.
C. Gun/grip fit matters as much as anything. If her hand doesn't like it, she won't shoot it well, so let her try a lot of different grips and styles. Heavier guns are better with beginners, less recoil and more to hang on to.
D. Make it FUN. Because it is.
E. Reward good shots with attagirls, try to diagnose bad shots with helpful, constructive criticism. Don't go to bigger calibers until she's ready. It may take several range sessions before she's comfortable with anything more than a 22.
F. Enjoy the moment. This is good stuff!
machz1
Member
my wife was deathly afraid of shooting till i took her to a handgun saftey class and went to the range for our shoot. she used a .22lr and on the way home she informed me she wanted one of her own!! she now shoots my .40, my 270 browning, she has her own moss 20 gauge for trap and loves it all. start small,stay small till she wants to try the bigger stuff. good quality hearing protection will definately help her avoid developing bad habits from flinching. if she likes shooting after trying it get her into a handling class and send out her NRA membership!!
OK Hog Shooter
Member
I have always had firearms around the house. Both of our children grew up around them without really showing any interest. My wife kinda tolerated my interests until one of her girlfriends took her out to try sporting clays. WAHOO! She got hooked and encouraged me to take it up, too. Now that was really neat. Time goes by and I got hooked on Smith 3rd gen autos and then stainless revolvers. Long introduction to what I did when my 33 year old daugher took an interest in my growing pistol collection and wanted me to take her pistol shooting.
My first instruction was on safe firearms handling; then I went over the parts of the pistol and finally a briefing on sighting.
I know my collection is somewhat out of hand, but I kinda built it to work with new shooters.
We started out with a .22lr single action Colt New Frontier (borrowed), then a Smith K-22, followed by a Ruger Mark II. I then rented a Walther PK 380 for her to try, and finished off the shooting instruction with a Smith M60. She was ecstatic. The next time we started with the K-22, followed by the Ruger and a Smith M30 .32, then jumped to a Smith M66 (.38) and finsihed with a H&K USP .40. Now my 30 year old son wants to try his hand at pistol shooting cause big sis had so much fun.
To sum up this lengthy epistle, start 'em out with a .22lr and work your way up from there! Use whatever you have in your collection. It certainly worked for my "kids".
As a side note, the first time I took my daughter shooting she got so excited she actually started "dancing" at the shooting line as I changed out revolvers. The range master teased her when we left. It was a grand time.
Blessings,
Hog
My first instruction was on safe firearms handling; then I went over the parts of the pistol and finally a briefing on sighting.
I know my collection is somewhat out of hand, but I kinda built it to work with new shooters.
We started out with a .22lr single action Colt New Frontier (borrowed), then a Smith K-22, followed by a Ruger Mark II. I then rented a Walther PK 380 for her to try, and finished off the shooting instruction with a Smith M60. She was ecstatic. The next time we started with the K-22, followed by the Ruger and a Smith M30 .32, then jumped to a Smith M66 (.38) and finsihed with a H&K USP .40. Now my 30 year old son wants to try his hand at pistol shooting cause big sis had so much fun.
To sum up this lengthy epistle, start 'em out with a .22lr and work your way up from there! Use whatever you have in your collection. It certainly worked for my "kids".
As a side note, the first time I took my daughter shooting she got so excited she actually started "dancing" at the shooting line as I changed out revolvers. The range master teased her when we left. It was a grand time.
Blessings,
Hog
Ashlander
Member
I teach my students (a lot of women included) first (after safety stuff) how to hold the gun and aim it -- and then how to pull the trigger (have a gun that can be dry fired or have snap caps available). 90 plus percent of my students rush the trigger pull and pull the front of the muzzle down just a 1/8 or 1/4 of an inch (commonly the point of impact is 4" to 8"s low at 7 yards). I have them focus on the muzzle through the dry fire so they can see it move -- even a little bit. I have them try a few dry fires until the movement is miminmized (lots of praise for good trigger pulls). To slow them down I have them say "Momma Mia" as they pull -- easy to remember and hard to say too fast.
Then we shoot. If they revert to big misses, then we try a couple more dry fires. It sounds like a lot, but I do this in a minute or two. Big smiles all the way. And when they girls do well, I tell them they look like a movie star!!!
Then we shoot. If they revert to big misses, then we try a couple more dry fires. It sounds like a lot, but I do this in a minute or two. Big smiles all the way. And when they girls do well, I tell them they look like a movie star!!!
Always start a person with a .22 revolver. Not much noise or recoil and simple. Larry
Hearsedriver
Member
I just took my 20 yo daughter shooting for the first time last week. She had never really showed any interest in it until recently. I sat her down and went over the basics of safety and the function of the gun before we went to the range. I gave her some snap caps to get the feel of loading and unloading and the trigger. When we got to the range, we shared a lane and I let her shoot my .32 SW Long J frame, which she really enjoyed. I later let her shoot my Model 36 .38 spl. She wanted to shoot the .32 and went through a box of 50 pretty quickly. By the time we left, she was shooting 5" groups at 20-25 feet which I thouhgt was very good. I may have created a monster becasue now, she wants her own "pink" gun. She really wants a .22 rifle and Daddy will probably get her one soon : )
tonight
Well me and my 20 yr old daughter went to the range this evening. I enjoyed being with her, and I think she liked shooting! Last night she came over and had dinner with us, and I went over some basics, she had good questions ( ones I could answer ) and was very interested. I picked her up at her house and asked again if she had any questions, she did, and i did my best to answer them. We rented a 22lr pistol, and 100 rounds went down range! All hit the target, with more than some inside the tighestest circle at about 20ft. I left my 45 in the car, and just worked with her, to help build confidence. When were near the end of 100 rounds, I went out to the car and got my Kimber Pro cdpII, and let her watch me shoot 8 rounds. I asked her IF she wanted to try it? SURE? My kid is the ice queen! I had a magazine with 3 rounds in it, and went over what I thought she should expect. 3 rounds near the center of the target and a smile on her face! made my day!
Thanks to all who posted about starting with a 22, as It was well received. Taking her momma Sunday for the same drill. I hope to make this a family outing very soon.
Well me and my 20 yr old daughter went to the range this evening. I enjoyed being with her, and I think she liked shooting! Last night she came over and had dinner with us, and I went over some basics, she had good questions ( ones I could answer ) and was very interested. I picked her up at her house and asked again if she had any questions, she did, and i did my best to answer them. We rented a 22lr pistol, and 100 rounds went down range! All hit the target, with more than some inside the tighestest circle at about 20ft. I left my 45 in the car, and just worked with her, to help build confidence. When were near the end of 100 rounds, I went out to the car and got my Kimber Pro cdpII, and let her watch me shoot 8 rounds. I asked her IF she wanted to try it? SURE? My kid is the ice queen! I had a magazine with 3 rounds in it, and went over what I thought she should expect. 3 rounds near the center of the target and a smile on her face! made my day!
Thanks to all who posted about starting with a 22, as It was well received. Taking her momma Sunday for the same drill. I hope to make this a family outing very soon.
I see lots of support for the first range sessions to be with the mighty 22LR which is almost recoilless, has little muzzle blast, and is low on noise and I couldn't agree more. Get them turned on with that and let them move up gradually to 38 special in at least a 4 inch barrel and preferably in a 6 inch barrel. Once they are all into it and have been shooting for a reasonable length of time if they want to you can take them up a notch to the 357 magnum again in a longer barrel.
If you reach this point they will be telling you what they want to shoot and what they want you to buy them.
If you reach this point they will be telling you what they want to shoot and what they want you to buy them.
papajohn428
Member
Sometimes your own kids will surprise you. Mine were raised around guns but they just looked at handguns as something Pop wears to work, no big deal. The exception was my youngest son.........he had shooting in the blood, and was a safer gunhandler (even with toy guns) than a lot of the cops I worked with. And he knew the safety rules forward and backward.
One day he managed to con me into letting him join a buddy and me for a shooting excursion, "just to watch" he said. He was good as gold when we got to the wooded area we shot in, but after an hour there was a tug at my pants leg, and he started begging to shoot my Buckmark 22. My buddy grinned when I made the kid recite the safety rules, and he rattled them off lickety-split. So he got to shoot that day. He was two months shy of his fifth birthday.
Along with the 22, he also got to shoot a Mini-14, a S&W 38 revolver, and a few other things, and handled them well. Now he's 19, and he's almost as good a pistol shot as his old man. But I'm lining up my alibis for the day he whoops me. I can see it coming.
Few things are as enjoyable as shooting with your kids.
One day he managed to con me into letting him join a buddy and me for a shooting excursion, "just to watch" he said. He was good as gold when we got to the wooded area we shot in, but after an hour there was a tug at my pants leg, and he started begging to shoot my Buckmark 22. My buddy grinned when I made the kid recite the safety rules, and he rattled them off lickety-split. So he got to shoot that day. He was two months shy of his fifth birthday.
Along with the 22, he also got to shoot a Mini-14, a S&W 38 revolver, and a few other things, and handled them well. Now he's 19, and he's almost as good a pistol shot as his old man. But I'm lining up my alibis for the day he whoops me. I can see it coming.
Few things are as enjoyable as shooting with your kids.
My children are currently 31 (Son) and 28 (Daughter). I started them both out by taking them into the woods by our old house and shooting a .22 into some old paint cans when they were two or three. My concern was the impressions they gain by watching guns being fired on TV. I wanted to instill in them respect for firearms and the shock wave and damage produced by seeing and hearing it in person. We moved up to .38's and 12 gauge shotguns in time. By the time they were 6 and 10 we started going to my old gun club, the Ft. Worth Rifle and Pistol Club so they could do some real target shooting. Safety is always emphasized there and at home. My Son is an A-10 pilot and his weapon of choice is the 30mm Avenger (that's 30 Millimeter, not caliber), and my Daughters favorite is the.45 ACP. They are both excellent at shooting and know there way around most any firearm. I still try to trick them by handing them a gun and tell them it's unloaded, but they always clear the gun before they do anything else. They learned from an early age that guns are serious business. I know some parents will start their kids at an earlier or older age, but it's up to the parent to understand the maturity level of the individual child, and know when they are ready to move up. Some children may never be comfortable with guns, and I think they should never be pushed into something they really don't like. If you treat children with respect and understand their concerns it makes teaching them much easier. Pass on your passion for shooting, hunting, fishing, or any outdoor activity to your children and they will love you for it in the long run.
Dave in N GA
Member
I started each of my three younguns on Smith 22 revolvers. I gave my oldest boy a pair of K frame Mod 15 & 18. My second boy got a pair of J frame Model 63 & 36. And my daughter got a pair of 32's Model 30 & 16. All three are grown now and have added extensively to their collections.
last night
Last night when we got to the gun range, I looked for a familiar face, and found one. I asked him if he remembered me? " I was here last week with my Kimber". Yes, i do, he said. I told him I was here tonight to let my daughter to shoot for the first time. I asked about a 22, and he showed us two he had to rent, Madison picked up one, and held it with the muzzle pointing towards the floor, proud of her. Then picked up the next one, and said it seems to fit her hand better, REALLY proud of her! 100 rounds later she ( the ice queen ) had a smirk on her face! When she had 80 rounds down range, I went to my car and got my Kimber. I told her to stand behind me, and put her hand on my right shoulder while I shot. Thought this might be a way to let her feel the difference in recoil. i hand a couple of magazines loaded. One hand 3 rounds in it. i asked her if she wanted to try it? I explained that the 45 had a pretty good kick. She said I am in! The target was 20' away, and the first one was inside the closest circle!! As you suggested, all night she was rewarded with " good shot" when she had. I had a great night with my pretty girl. Thanks for your help
Last night when we got to the gun range, I looked for a familiar face, and found one. I asked him if he remembered me? " I was here last week with my Kimber". Yes, i do, he said. I told him I was here tonight to let my daughter to shoot for the first time. I asked about a 22, and he showed us two he had to rent, Madison picked up one, and held it with the muzzle pointing towards the floor, proud of her. Then picked up the next one, and said it seems to fit her hand better, REALLY proud of her! 100 rounds later she ( the ice queen ) had a smirk on her face! When she had 80 rounds down range, I went to my car and got my Kimber. I told her to stand behind me, and put her hand on my right shoulder while I shot. Thought this might be a way to let her feel the difference in recoil. i hand a couple of magazines loaded. One hand 3 rounds in it. i asked her if she wanted to try it? I explained that the 45 had a pretty good kick. She said I am in! The target was 20' away, and the first one was inside the closest circle!! As you suggested, all night she was rewarded with " good shot" when she had. I had a great night with my pretty girl. Thanks for your help
A. Emphasize safety, at ALL times. (But you knew that).
B. Start with the mild stuff, 22's and then mild 38's and maybe end there, but if she's handling it well, move up in caliber/bullet weight/recoil. You'll know when to stop......maybe she'll tell you when she's had enough. Don't push it. Baby steps are good.
C. Gun/grip fit matters as much as anything. If her hand doesn't like it, she won't shoot it well, so let her try a lot of different grips and styles. Heavier guns are better with beginners, less recoil and more to hang on to.
D. Make it FUN. Because it is.
E. Reward good shots with attagirls, try to diagnose bad shots with helpful, constructive criticism. Don't go to bigger calibers until she's ready. It may take several range sessions before she's comfortable with anything more than a 22.
F. Enjoy the moment. This is good stuff!
