Ideal Shooting Age?

[KimoBBZ]

Sooo... How old were YOU when you 1st lit off a live round? Was it a memorable event (positive or other-wise), please share?

Daughter is turning 4 in November, and while I'm anxious to get her to the range for some prone .22LR sessions, I realize she's not there maturity-wise. Maybe @ 5 or 6.

She's great so far with understanding boundries concerning the big & small safes around the house and safety issues. But not quite there yet on patience and attention span.

She's quite comfortable with my airsoft and cardboard targets out back, but is only attentive for about 10 shots... when a butterfly or birdie distracts her.

[Sydwaiz]

2. That's how old I was. I don't remember. My dad said he helped me shoot a .22 Bearcat and my mom said she wasn't too amused! Been shooting ever since.

[USN CHIEF]

First time I fired a gun was back in Mexico. I was only like 13 years old. It was my dad's Colt .45 Government Model. I still remember the ringing in my ears, they did not wear hearing protection over there.

[Nodda Duma]

I don't remember how young I was, but it was a .30-06 and I was less than 10 yrs old. I remember the ringing, too.. they don't really use hearing protection in the Ozarks, either.

-Jason

[timmyb21]

When I was 6 I got my first BB gun. First live round was when I was 8, my dad gave me his handed down marlin .22, and I proceeded to shoot about 500 round through that thing in one afternoon. It was the most fun I'd ever had! IF your little girl is doing good with airsoft, let her try out the .22. Of course she'll be under direct supervision, and if she doesn't do as well as you like, give it another 6 months and try again. Good luck!

[Guntech]

Don't start too early if she isn't ready, heard about that kid who shot the RO times because he was startled after the first shot.

[Jpach]

When I was 6 or 7 or so and visiting my family in New Mexico, we all went out to the desert to hunt rabbit,quail, and anything else that moved. I probably started with a .22 and then after that trip I was shooting my dads .30-40 Krag. Its been on ever since. When you feel that shes ready, let her have a go at the .22. Hope shes ready soon!

[elsolo]

Ideal age to get started, about 7-10 yrs old.
If they aren't getting into it as you had hoped, try another shooting sport before they burn out.

[SJgunguy24]

I started shooting when I was 7. My Mother is a huge lefty and still thinks that guns are evil. My uncle was the guy who too me shooting. I started ny son at 7, but before I ever let him fire a shot he had to learn to clean the rifle. I belive if the mystery of firearms is removed than the accident rate will decrease. Just be careful when she starts school, we were called in for a confrence with my sons teacher. She found it "disturbing" that I was teaching my son how to "murder" and that guns are "killing machines" that have no place in the world.

I hate hippies

[tombinghamthegreat]

I was 11 years old when i started, that seems like a decent age IMO.

[KimoBBZ]

clean, clean, clean...

...I started ny son at 7, but before I ever let him fire a shot he had to learn to clean the rifle. I belive if the mystery of firearms is removed than the accident rate will decrease...

I will have to concur, as I have a parallel experience:

An uncle of mine began taking his sons shooting at ages 6 and 8, part of the deal was that they were involved from "soup to nuts". From preparing range gear, checking weapons/equipment/ammo to cleaning & put away. Soon after they started, almost daily they would ask to see and handle the firearms and his response was that they could see/handle any thing they wanted, but had to disassemble and clean it.

My uncle had his hands full for a little while, as I was living with them at the time I saw all of this 1st hand. But soon, a bonus of the boys knowing how to handle all of his firearms safely, was that the "mystery" of having them in the house was GONE. Additionally, they eventually stopped wanting to "see/handle" firearms, except when going shooting... cause they knew they'd have to CLEAN 'EM. He started ASKING them all the time if they wanted to handle the firearms, they of couse refused... I remember once we had gone shooting during the day, picked the boys up afterwards, and "tricked" them in to getting a free cleaning job!

The "boys" now 22 and 27 are level headed - Both received their 1st handguns from me... a Norinco 1911 (should've stocked up on this when I had the chance) and a Glock 21 respectively. You know Filipinos and their .45's

[CSACANNONEER]

I believe that age has little to do with when someone is ready to learn to shoot. Well, they need to have the strength and motor skills needed so they have to be a few years old. But, maturity level is much more important! I know or have seen a lot of +40 year olds as well as many 20 somethings who, IMHO, are not mature enough to be handling firearms.

[KimoBBZ]

good stuff...

...I was only like 13 years old. It was my dad's Colt .45 Government Model...

I bet those weren't lite handloaded wadcutters either!

I don't remember how young I was, but it was a .30-06 and I was less than 10 yrs old...

Yowza... I hope you had the rifle tucked in tight, .30-06 could bruise a 10 year old shoulder pretty good.

...when I was 8, my dad gave me his handed down marlin .22, and I proceeded to shoot about 500 round through that thing in one afternoon...

I can totally see that, I remmember pretty clearly my 1st handgun shoot (Ruger bull barrel .22) and I blew through a lot of ammo that afternoon.

...I probably started with a .22 and then after that trip I was shooting my dads .30-40 Krag...

How long a trip was it? Like a week or weekend? I'm a paper puncher mainly, but would love the chance to go for pig, I geared up w/ a 30-30 lever and a .44 mag sidearm, but never did do it.

...If they aren't getting into it as you had hoped, try another shooting sport before they burn out...

This got me thinking about getting NRA instructor certified and getting involved in shooting/training events for kids.

[tombinghamthegreat]

IThis got me thinking about getting NRA instructor certified and getting involved in shooting/training events for kids.

Boyscouts from my experence is a great place to learn about firearms and how to handle guns properly. I would assume if you did do that you would deal with a lot of boyscouts.

[gcvt]

I think I was about 8 or 9 when I started shooting .22. We were on my Grandparent's property in Austin. We were resting the rifle across the hood of our Olds Delta 88....I ended shooting into the hood. Oops.