Teaching "sight picture?"

Prof Young · January 1, 2019, 02:48 AM

Grandson Rhys is six and getting more interested in shooting. We have a BB gun range in the basement and I've taken him to the range to shoot the Cricket and the SA six gun, both 22 cal. At the range he and I both hold the gun and he pulls the trigger. Shooting the BB gun I've tried to get him to understand how the sight picture should look but so far he isn't getting it. I've drawn him pictures and done a lot of explaining. He isn't getting it as easily as first grandson did, which is fine. Every one learns at their own pace.

I'm just wondering if anyone has some tips or tricks or learning aides in this arena.

Life is good.
Prof Young

**JohnKSa** · January 1, 2019, 03:19 AM

There are lots of pictures on the internet showing proper sight alignment with the target.

Here's a video--the first part is pretty good and he might get something from it, but I would stop it before it gets into the discussion of sight adjustment.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxxUPqEjkTk

But before showing him any of that, you need to get the answers to some questions. You can't get the answers by simply asking because if he's having vision troubles, he has no proper reference to work from. So you're going to have to devise some tests to get accurate answers.

Can he see the sights on the gun ok while he's in the shooting position?

Is he keeping the proper eye open while sighting?

Can he clearly see the pictures you're drawing for him?

Can he see the target he's supposed to be aiming at?

If he can see all of those things and still can't understand how to align the sights, even after looking at pictures, I don't really know where to go from there.

**Aguila Blanca** · January 1, 2019, 05:11 AM

Back in the days when "typing" referred to using a typewriter, there were teachers who felt that in some instances constant attempts to force a student to do it "right" only reinforced the error. The theory was that these students should intentionally type the error, and each time they did so they should say "Nope, that's not right."

My suggestion for the grandson would be to use a variant of that theory. Start with the BB gun. Does it have open sights (I hope)? Have him begin with whatever he feels is a correct, or normal sight picture. Then have him lower the rear sight so the front sight ball or tip is well and obviously above the top of the rear sight, THEN pull the trigger. Repeat ten times.

Then do the same thing but power the barrel so the front sight disappears from view and fire ten shots like that. Go get the targets and show him what the gross changes in sight picture did to his point of impact.

In the end, though, everyone learns at their own pace, and nobody learns before they are ready to learn. Perhaps this grandson simply isn't ready to grasp the concept.

Wag · January 1, 2019, 10:30 AM

At six years old, I wouldn't even worry about it. Just let him shoot and have fun. Obviously, it's more fun if he's hitting the cans or water bottles you've set up but taking him out and letting him yank on the trigger is plenty good. You've planted the seeds already and eventually, he'll ask you what you meant.

--Wag--

k4swb · January 1, 2019, 04:33 PM

Are you sure his eyes work correctly?

Mike38 · January 2, 2019, 01:40 AM

Quote:

At six years old, I wouldn't even worry about it. Just let him shoot and have fun.

Having fun is top priority, but letting it go too long will instill bad habits that will be much harder to break in just a few years. Teach the basic fundamentals of marksmanship (sight alignment, Trigger press, breathing, follow through, and of course safety) at an early age.

Wag · January 2, 2019, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike38

Having fun is top priority, but letting it go too long will instill bad habits that will be much harder to break in just a few years. Teach the basic fundamentals of marksmanship (sight alignment, Trigger press, breathing, follow through, and of course safety) at an early age.

100% agree. It's never age dependent, though. Just keep an eye on him and introduce it when he's ready. Some kids 'get it' at a later age than others.

--Wag--

January 1, 2019, 02:48 AM	#1
Prof Young Senior Member Join Date: August 21, 2007 Location: Illinois - down state Posts: 2,404	Teaching "sight picture?" Grandson Rhys is six and getting more interested in shooting. We have a BB gun range in the basement and I've taken him to the range to shoot the Cricket and the SA six gun, both 22 cal. At the range he and I both hold the gun and he pulls the trigger. Shooting the BB gun I've tried to get him to understand how the sight picture should look but so far he isn't getting it. I've drawn him pictures and done a lot of explaining. He isn't getting it as easily as first grandson did, which is fine. Every one learns at their own pace. I'm just wondering if anyone has some tips or tricks or learning aides in this arena. Life is good. Prof Young

January 1, 2019, 03:19 AM	#2
JohnKSa Staff Join Date: February 12, 2001 Location: DFW Area Posts: 24,990	There are lots of pictures on the internet showing proper sight alignment with the target. Here's a video--the first part is pretty good and he might get something from it, but I would stop it before it gets into the discussion of sight adjustment. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxxUPqEjkTk But before showing him any of that, you need to get the answers to some questions. You can't get the answers by simply asking because if he's having vision troubles, he has no proper reference to work from. So you're going to have to devise some tests to get accurate answers. Can he see the sights on the gun ok while he's in the shooting position? Is he keeping the proper eye open while sighting? Can he clearly see the pictures you're drawing for him? Can he see the target he's supposed to be aiming at? If he can see all of those things and still can't understand how to align the sights, even after looking at pictures, I don't really know where to go from there. __________________ Do you know about the TEXAS State Rifle Association?

January 1, 2019, 10:30 AM	#4
Wag Senior Member Join Date: October 22, 2010 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 988	At six years old, I wouldn't even worry about it. Just let him shoot and have fun. Obviously, it's more fun if he's hitting the cans or water bottles you've set up but taking him out and letting him yank on the trigger is plenty good. You've planted the seeds already and eventually, he'll ask you what you meant. --Wag-- __________________ "Great genius will always encounter fierce opposition from mediocre minds." --Albert Einstein.

January 1, 2019, 04:33 PM	#5
k4swb Senior Member Join Date: July 11, 2009 Posts: 389	Are you sure his eyes work correctly? __________________ My posts are things I have tried or experienced. You may or may not wish to emulate them so read them with this in mind. Compromise means that both sides give something, but they never give, they just take. I'm The NRA!

January 1, 2019, 05:11 AM	#3
Aguila Blanca Staff Join Date: September 25, 2008 Location: CONUS Posts: 18,468	Back in the days when "typing" referred to using a typewriter, there were teachers who felt that in some instances constant attempts to force a student to do it "right" only reinforced the error. The theory was that these students should intentionally type the error, and each time they did so they should say "Nope, that's not right." My suggestion for the grandson would be to use a variant of that theory. Start with the BB gun. Does it have open sights (I hope)? Have him begin with whatever he feels is a correct, or normal sight picture. Then have him lower the rear sight so the front sight ball or tip is well and obviously above the top of the rear sight, THEN pull the trigger. Repeat ten times. Then do the same thing but power the barrel so the front sight disappears from view and fire ten shots like that. Go get the targets and show him what the gross changes in sight picture did to his point of impact. In the end, though, everyone learns at their own pace, and nobody learns before they are ready to learn. Perhaps this grandson simply isn't ready to grasp the concept.