I have a 3.5 year old and I want to start him on marksmanship. We did the fishing gig, which he loves, but I want to get him interested in shooting and hunting. I don't want to over do it, or rush into things as to scare the crap out of him. So, what did you guys do with your own? What age, activity, type of weapon, etc. did you start your kiddos at? I don't have access to a shooting range or professional instruction here where I live. So it's up to me to set up a range, (I have plenty of open areas in the rural area I live in so that isn't an issue) and do the teaching. Any insight from the seasoned Fathers here will be appreciated. Thanks.
Question for the experienced Fathers out there
- Thread starter Firehouse
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My son started with toy guns that shot foam darts as I recall when he was that age. Couldn't quite grasp the idea of actual shooting, trajectory etc. At 5 we did a little .22 work with me helping to aim, at six killed his first squirrel with a 410. That type progression worked for us. Each child is different.
I only had daughters but from my life as a young kid. BB guns were always a good place to start, Now the have Air Soft.
I think 3.5 is a bit young for shooting.(each child is different)He will let you know when he's interested. Keep at the fishing, camping, woods thing. You will know when he is ready. Let him see what you are doing but as you say, do not scare him with the loud booms. Let him watch cleaning guns, cleaning game if you hunt etc.
I think 3.5 is a bit young for shooting.(each child is different)He will let you know when he's interested. Keep at the fishing, camping, woods thing. You will know when he is ready. Let him see what you are doing but as you say, do not scare him with the loud booms. Let him watch cleaning guns, cleaning game if you hunt etc.
mafuta54
Member
My oldest son was about 2 years old when he shot his first .22 rifle.
Big Fred
Member
I started my son at age 4. My Dad and I were always going shooting so he always came along. He needed a little help holding the 22 rifle at first but later he just tucked the stock under his arm. He did quite well like this. Started him on 22 revolvers at age 5, and he took right off. I should add that we did all this shooting on an Uncles farm and not a public range. He just seemed to be a natural at shooting.
Must have done something right as he is now 24 and shoots CAS with me. He is a four time PA State Champion and a three time Northeast Regional Champion. Just wish my Dad was still around to see what he has accomplished.
Must have done something right as he is now 24 and shoots CAS with me. He is a four time PA State Champion and a three time Northeast Regional Champion. Just wish my Dad was still around to see what he has accomplished.
38-44HD45
Absent Comrade
Every child is different. I have a daughter and two sons, all of whom were introduced to shooting at very early ages. They all started out with BB guns, graduated to air rifles, then to .22s and on up. I don't recall exactly what age each was when they first shot "real guns," but I started them out as early as I could, given their level of interest, strength, coordination, and focus. I have a photo of my younger son hunkered down behind a short AR on a bipod, when he was barely 5 years old. All of mine had shot a Model 63 Smith by the age of 5 and the boys had done it by between 3 and 4, with careful guidance by me.
My daughter and my boys went with me on dove hunts before they were old enough to shoot shotguns, and they loved it. I did, too, and they made great bird dogs! They helped me clean the birds, too. As soon as they were big enough to handle them, I bought the boys 20 ga. Remington Youth Model 870s, which they learned to shoot well over my little Outers trap before hitting the fields for doves, quail and pheasants. (My daughter, by that time, had lost most interest in hunting, but still loved to shoot, and to eat what the boys and I killed.)
I took my boys deer hunting for the first time when they were 10 and 12, with my older son using my old Ruger Model 77 .243 and my younger one an AR. My older boy shot a nice buck, my younger one missed a chance, but not a shot, at another, I killed a small buck, and we all collected treasured memories.
All my kids came along with my wife and me to USPSA pistol and 3-gun matches, beginning when my daughter was 3 and my older son was a baby.
My kids now range in age from 24 to 28, and all are still frequent and skilled shooters. My daughter has three kids and one on the way, and the older two of hers (7 and almost 5) both are being taught by their dad on a Chipmunk .22 I bought them. I expect that my granddaughter will soon get her first experience with the Model 63 I gave to my son-in-law, to allow him to do what I did.
I've seen kids that were not really ready for much instruction on firearms until they were 7 or 8 years old, but they're the exception. Firehouse, you are to be commended for starting your boy out at a young age, and for your dedication to making him a shooter. If those of your generation and mine don't help bring along the next one, the Second Amendment and all that goes with it, including the joys of shooting and hunting with family, will become nothing but the memory the antis want it to be.
My daughter and my boys went with me on dove hunts before they were old enough to shoot shotguns, and they loved it. I did, too, and they made great bird dogs! They helped me clean the birds, too. As soon as they were big enough to handle them, I bought the boys 20 ga. Remington Youth Model 870s, which they learned to shoot well over my little Outers trap before hitting the fields for doves, quail and pheasants. (My daughter, by that time, had lost most interest in hunting, but still loved to shoot, and to eat what the boys and I killed.)
I took my boys deer hunting for the first time when they were 10 and 12, with my older son using my old Ruger Model 77 .243 and my younger one an AR. My older boy shot a nice buck, my younger one missed a chance, but not a shot, at another, I killed a small buck, and we all collected treasured memories.
All my kids came along with my wife and me to USPSA pistol and 3-gun matches, beginning when my daughter was 3 and my older son was a baby.
My kids now range in age from 24 to 28, and all are still frequent and skilled shooters. My daughter has three kids and one on the way, and the older two of hers (7 and almost 5) both are being taught by their dad on a Chipmunk .22 I bought them. I expect that my granddaughter will soon get her first experience with the Model 63 I gave to my son-in-law, to allow him to do what I did.
I've seen kids that were not really ready for much instruction on firearms until they were 7 or 8 years old, but they're the exception. Firehouse, you are to be commended for starting your boy out at a young age, and for your dedication to making him a shooter. If those of your generation and mine don't help bring along the next one, the Second Amendment and all that goes with it, including the joys of shooting and hunting with family, will become nothing but the memory the antis want it to be.
CJofWolfcreek
US Veteran
My youngest son will be 4 in December and has already shown an interest. When he's able to settle down and follow instructions we'll start him off with a BB gun. In the meanwhile, he has toy guns and we are trying to encourage safe gun handling with those.
He has seen my wife and me come home with deer, birds and rabbits and we've gradualy exposed him to the various processes of turning the game into meat. I made sure his first experience wasn't seeing bambi hung up, skinned and quartered. I know you said marksmanship, I gave the hunting example as watching and understanding a child's reactions and knowing when they are ready for the next step.
Foam dart guns, air soft, bb guns, 22lr seems like a natural progression and you can easily see if he's ready for the next step.
He has seen my wife and me come home with deer, birds and rabbits and we've gradualy exposed him to the various processes of turning the game into meat. I made sure his first experience wasn't seeing bambi hung up, skinned and quartered. I know you said marksmanship, I gave the hunting example as watching and understanding a child's reactions and knowing when they are ready for the next step.
Foam dart guns, air soft, bb guns, 22lr seems like a natural progression and you can easily see if he's ready for the next step.
handejector
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I think 5 is about right for limited, closely supervised shooting with real guns.
Start with something very small and manageble- 22 short handguns, Chipmonk rifle, etc.
You don't want it to be work, don't want them overly tired, don't want them asking "Can we quit now?"
Before that, watching you shoot is good.
Before that, handling and talking and learning safety.
I could always shoot where I lived.
So, a "power demo" was always part of the kid's FIRST range session to STRESS safety, power, danger. Shoot a gallon jug of colored water or milk with something hi-vel, or, shoot a concrete block with something that will shatter it after you ask the kid to move it. He gets the impression that this concrete thing he can't even move can be DESTROYED by a gun.
They remember that.
ANY safety infraction ends the session, and is dealt with. NO quarter.
Godspeed.
Start with something very small and manageble- 22 short handguns, Chipmonk rifle, etc.
You don't want it to be work, don't want them overly tired, don't want them asking "Can we quit now?"
Before that, watching you shoot is good.
Before that, handling and talking and learning safety.
I could always shoot where I lived.
So, a "power demo" was always part of the kid's FIRST range session to STRESS safety, power, danger. Shoot a gallon jug of colored water or milk with something hi-vel, or, shoot a concrete block with something that will shatter it after you ask the kid to move it. He gets the impression that this concrete thing he can't even move can be DESTROYED by a gun.
They remember that.
ANY safety infraction ends the session, and is dealt with. NO quarter.
Godspeed.
handejector
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Also-
the age old tradition of making the first shotgun a .410 is BUNK.
A .410 is ballistically pitiful in pellet load and pattern, so it breeds discouragement and failure. Hard to hit with it.
H&R made some dandy youth 20 ga guns.
WAIT till the kid can handle cheap 2-3/4 mild loads. They have 3" chambers, so it can grow to some degree with the kid and his ability.
the age old tradition of making the first shotgun a .410 is BUNK.
A .410 is ballistically pitiful in pellet load and pattern, so it breeds discouragement and failure. Hard to hit with it.
H&R made some dandy youth 20 ga guns.
WAIT till the kid can handle cheap 2-3/4 mild loads. They have 3" chambers, so it can grow to some degree with the kid and his ability.
I didn't start my sons until they were close to 10 years old. Before that age they went with me to the range or hunting but they didn't shoot anything. At 10 I started teaching them range safety and usually in that year I bought them a pellet gun. They both shot that pellet gun constantly and became proficient shooters.
Then it was an introduction to hunting and the outdoors including survival training in case you became lost or injured. They went on to learn all their lessons well and we have hunted together for nearly 30 years.
We just finished a once in a life time Elk hunt in Colorado two days ago where we all scored trophy Elk. We had applied for 18 years in a row before finally drawing the tags.
Then it was an introduction to hunting and the outdoors including survival training in case you became lost or injured. They went on to learn all their lessons well and we have hunted together for nearly 30 years.
We just finished a once in a life time Elk hunt in Colorado two days ago where we all scored trophy Elk. We had applied for 18 years in a row before finally drawing the tags.
ACP230
Member
My kids started at around age six with air rifles.
They moved up to .22 rifles fairly quickly.
And .22 pistols came next.
All of these with strict supervision, of course.
They all knew the "four rules" and the importance of following them before shooting anything.
They started following me on grouse hunts around four or five.
I alwyas told them they could look at my guns whenever I had the time to show them. They were not to touch guns when alone and were to tell an adult immediately if they found one anywhere.
It worked quite well. My younger son is the most active now. He's a hunter and a Bullseye shooter with local matches and trips to Camp Perry under his belt.
My older son shot rifle matches and a lot of bowling pins with me but is now too busy to shoot much.
My daughter shoots from time to time and has her own .38 revolver.
She keeps trying to acquire one of my BHPs too.
They moved up to .22 rifles fairly quickly.
And .22 pistols came next.
All of these with strict supervision, of course.
They all knew the "four rules" and the importance of following them before shooting anything.
They started following me on grouse hunts around four or five.
I alwyas told them they could look at my guns whenever I had the time to show them. They were not to touch guns when alone and were to tell an adult immediately if they found one anywhere.
It worked quite well. My younger son is the most active now. He's a hunter and a Bullseye shooter with local matches and trips to Camp Perry under his belt.
My older son shot rifle matches and a lot of bowling pins with me but is now too busy to shoot much.
My daughter shoots from time to time and has her own .38 revolver.
She keeps trying to acquire one of my BHPs too.
35Rem
Member
I got my first gun at 5 (a single shot .410). I respectfully disagree with you Lee about that being a bad choice for the first gun, and here's why:
The 410 makes it easier to hit STATIONARY targets with the pattern it throws. Recoil is going to be the least for a shotgun.
There is more recoil and report than a 22 LR, so it feels more like a "real" gun. To me the 22's aren't different enough from the BB/pellet guns to help them understand the huge gap between them. Eye and Ear protection is a must. A youngster will develop a flinch real fast shooting a 410.
When you start talking about moving targets, a 410 is an expert's gun, for sure. I will say it was VERY gratifying to hit a flying bird with a Stevens sxs 410 at age 7. I was hooked on sxs's from then on.
Keep him interested in the outdoors. Let him handle some guns under supervision. Clean guns. Explain the importance and power they have. Take him along shooting. I like Lee's idea of demonstrating the power they have. My daughter is 4 and I can't wait.
If you get him his "Own" gun, make it a special occasion.
The 410 makes it easier to hit STATIONARY targets with the pattern it throws. Recoil is going to be the least for a shotgun.
There is more recoil and report than a 22 LR, so it feels more like a "real" gun. To me the 22's aren't different enough from the BB/pellet guns to help them understand the huge gap between them. Eye and Ear protection is a must. A youngster will develop a flinch real fast shooting a 410.
When you start talking about moving targets, a 410 is an expert's gun, for sure. I will say it was VERY gratifying to hit a flying bird with a Stevens sxs 410 at age 7. I was hooked on sxs's from then on.
Keep him interested in the outdoors. Let him handle some guns under supervision. Clean guns. Explain the importance and power they have. Take him along shooting. I like Lee's idea of demonstrating the power they have. My daughter is 4 and I can't wait.
If you get him his "Own" gun, make it a special occasion.
38-44HD45
Absent Comrade
I agree about the pitiful nature of the .410, but one of those "dandy" H&R 20 ga. singles gave me a flinch that took months to overcome when I was a kid. Even with 3/4 oz. loads, the super-light weight (4.5lbs., as I recall) and poorly designed stock makes them kick like beasts. My brother, who had the same Topper model in .410, routinely outshot me, lousy ballistics or not, since he wasn't flinching. Luckily, there are low-recoil 20 ga. loads available today that were not around back in the Dark Ages. I think the Remington 870 Youth Models are better mousetraps, all-around.
Spotteddog
Member
Ahead of shooting anything (I started him on an RWS air rifle) I made flash cards for my Son. Two different colors of construction paper. One color for the rear sight, another color for the front sight. I'd then play it with him as a board game "where will the bullet land if the sight picture looks this way"? They won't be aware what they're learning about unless you want them to be. It's worked well in teaching sight alignment. I'm not one who believes in optics of any kind as a training aid. Bare bones basics for this task. 5 is about right. Starting with air guns allows safe handling skills, sight picture and trigger control to develop without the jarring effect of a loud discharge. It's easy for we that are accustomed to it and may even suffer hearing loss due to exposure to it over decades, to forget how acute and sensitive a small child's hearing really is! Take your time, your creating a lifetime worth of pleasant memories. I can still recall every outing with my Dad and Uncles half a century + later.
I've taught my Children to shoot and now I'm teaching my Grandchldren to shoot.
I started them all out on a cut down stock BB Gun when they are about three years old. I stack up soft drink cans and let them shoot them. When they hit them and they fall down we all cheer and clap. My Children are in their 30s and my Grandchildren are 15yoa to 1yoa. The one year old hasn't started shooting yet, but the others are all dyed in the wool memebers of the Gun Culture.
They all talk about shooting the drink can when they were little.
My Son and Two daughters and their spouses all have CHLs, even my son in law who is a Police Detective.
My DIL killed three men who broke into her farm/ranch house when she was ten years old. She used her dad's 1917 S&W as the four men kicked in the back door and came in through their mud room. She shot them comming through the door. When the Sheriff arrived he tried to comfort my DIL and told her that what she did was OK. She told him that her mom and dad had run to town to buy groceries and she had her three little brothers to protect. Her dad started teaching her shooting when she was three.....
Her birthday was Wednesday, my son gave her a Sig P232 Stainless Steel for it. They live in the country and their children all know how to shoot. She has other pistols and keeps a sawed off 12 guage and an AK on her side if the bed.
I would recommend that you teach your children to shoot at a young age, with all of the safety training and skill they can handle.
Rule 303
I started them all out on a cut down stock BB Gun when they are about three years old. I stack up soft drink cans and let them shoot them. When they hit them and they fall down we all cheer and clap. My Children are in their 30s and my Grandchildren are 15yoa to 1yoa. The one year old hasn't started shooting yet, but the others are all dyed in the wool memebers of the Gun Culture.
They all talk about shooting the drink can when they were little.
My Son and Two daughters and their spouses all have CHLs, even my son in law who is a Police Detective.
My DIL killed three men who broke into her farm/ranch house when she was ten years old. She used her dad's 1917 S&W as the four men kicked in the back door and came in through their mud room. She shot them comming through the door. When the Sheriff arrived he tried to comfort my DIL and told her that what she did was OK. She told him that her mom and dad had run to town to buy groceries and she had her three little brothers to protect. Her dad started teaching her shooting when she was three.....
Her birthday was Wednesday, my son gave her a Sig P232 Stainless Steel for it. They live in the country and their children all know how to shoot. She has other pistols and keeps a sawed off 12 guage and an AK on her side if the bed.
I would recommend that you teach your children to shoot at a young age, with all of the safety training and skill they can handle.
Rule 303
oldRoger
US Veteran
The earliest I can remember is a pistol that shot a stick with a suction cup on it. I hunted flies with it. I don't think I actually ever killed one, but it was great sport hunting.
Water pistols were also good fun, although the dog wasn't sure and the cat was clearly opposed..
I was given a Daisy 25, before I could cock the thing (probably intentional).
Water pistols were also good fun, although the dog wasn't sure and the cat was clearly opposed..
I was given a Daisy 25, before I could cock the thing (probably intentional).
rodcraft
Member
My son started training when we were out shooting & he could walk/talk. He would bring up a stick & say 'here's my gun!'. He couldn't point it at any of us & when he was done playing he had to bring it back to me, not toss it on the ground. Around 3 i gave him an old stock instead of a stick. At 4 a bb gun and the first 'toy' gun in the house identical daisy's with the same rules for the toy gun. At 5 I got him this chipmunk. I can get the weaver mount # if anyone's interested. I went through the whole weaver box till i found a mount that fit the holes on the barrel forward of the action. My new favorite training ammo is the super colibri's. They don't need hearing protection so they can hear instructions. He's 16 now & were leaving this evening to go deer hunting.
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SWBigBang
Member
I let him come to me. Once his interest peaked (age will vary with every child) and he really wanted to go that is when we discussed range safety rules.
Shortly afterward we hit the range.
Shortly afterward we hit the range.
I'm not crazy about the little Chipmunk/Cricket rifles and would recommend getting a Ruger 10/22. You can cut the stock off and put .22 CB longs in it and it will be a little more powerful than a good pellet rifle. Very quiet and the rounds don't have enough power to work the bolt so you have to do it manually, which is good for a beginning shooter instead of shooting semi-auto. When he grows you can put a recoil pad or different stock on the gun to lengthen it plus there are a million options to turn it into a refined, tack driving target gun/hunting gun/or whatever he wants. The 10/22 rifles also have upgradeable triggers so you can get an excellent trigger pull which won't be discouraging to someone just learning marksmanship.
