Now that I know...what is the best?

[fw501]

I received alot of excellent feedback on my question of "how young is too young to shoot?". Now, my next question is what is best for them to shoot? I've let them shoot my XD sub-compact 9mm and my XD 45 (they asked about my Kimber and I told them "NO WAY"). I've also been looking at a Ruger 10/22 that my son fell in love with. I'm not knowledgable with long guns but I'm learning. I'd like to have one for myself also.

 

[Woo]

I didn't read the other thread but midway or brownells sells a youth stock for a 10/22 so he/she could grow into it and get alot of use out of it!

 

[Woo]

Brownells.


WOOD PLUS : RUGER® 10/22® YOUTH STOCK - World's Largest Supplier of Firearm Accessories, Gun Parts and Gunsmithing Tools

 

[fw501]

They wife is not happy with me for the idea of buying my kids rifles. I'm gonna have to wear her down..

 

[SundayShooter]

A good option is an "AR" style .22 rifle like the S&W M&P15-22. Since it has a multi-position stock, length of pull can be adjusted to fit most shooters(even children).

 

[Woo]

 

[Woo]

She was like 5 months old. She is 3 now. My youngest daughter gets hers in about 3 weeks. She has to wait til her first birthday.

My wife was pretty cool with it but she didn't know I bought it until that christmas morning.

 

[coda80]

my son is 9 and my daughters are 13 and 7. all three have fired every gun i own. my son is an exceptional shot with scoped rifles. i think that a lot of talk about what will happen when the trigger is pulled is very important. first about the deadly effects of a bullet and second about what to expect to feel physically after the trigger is pulled. we started off having little competition shoots in the yard with pellet guns so i could teach the mechanics of handling a firearm. it also gives YOU a chance to see how responsible they will be about walking with safety on, and where the muzzle is pointed when the gun is not being fired.

 

[coda80]

slightly off topic but i read in this months issue of American rifleman that a man broke into a house and was assaulting a woman and her son emerged with his 22 and shot the man. the man returned fire hitting the child in the leg but the 11 year old boy critically injured the assailant and they had to airlift him to the hospital.

 

[indyartisan]

To bad the child was injured, he could have walked to the hospital to get help for the assailant.

 

[indyartisan]

To the OP, I would go with the 10/22. Fun guns for kids (and grown ups).

 

[kblazer87]

I think the 10/22 is a good choice for young kids to learn shooting with, especially if you get a shorter stock to start with.

 

[Greg.B]

My preference for younger kids (ages 8 or less) is a bolt action .22 rifle; this gives them a good, solid shooting experience, and forces them to 'slow down' and develop good shooting skills, form, and safety.

After that (and it's up to you as a parent, really to determine when that is, but generally I've experienced around 10 or 11), it's time to move them up to a semi-auto .22 rifle allowing them to experience something more exciting; then introduce shotguns and handguns as their skills develop.

This staggered approach keeps them interested long term, gives them something to look forward to and earn, and let's them refine their skills in each discipline.

 

[indyartisan]

My preference for younger kids (ages 8 or less) is a bolt action .22 rifle; this gives them a good, solid shooting experience, and forces them to 'slow down' and develop good shooting skills, form, and safety.

After that (and it's up to you as a parent, really to determine when that is, but generally I've experienced around 10 or 11), it's time to move them up to a semi-auto .22 rifle allowing them to experience something more exciting; then introduce shotguns and handguns as their skills develop.

This staggered approach keeps them interested long term, gives them something to look forward to and earn, and let's them refine their skills in each discipline.

Good advice Greg