Start 'Em Young!

rpseraph · May 2, 2019, 09:49 AM

Ok, my kid isn't THAT young by many standards, he is turning 8 this week.

Here's how it went down.

Nerf guns starting around 3-4
Airsoft in the backyard with dad 5-6
BB guns age 7
He'll be firing a .22lr on his 8th birthday.
(He's also been shooting a bow and arrow for a year or so)

I think you have to read each kid differently, depending on their maturity. I think I could have accelerated the timeline greatly, but this is what has happened. I think the escalation has allowed me to build his confidence and to safely teach him the firearm safety rules. Additionally, he comes to the range with me from time to time (double ears!)

Would love to hear your experiences and ideas.

Also, what do you think about sights? Stick with irons for a while before optics or just go strait into optics because why not?

**Aguila Blanca** · May 2, 2019, 10:42 AM

Iron sights for several years.

mgulino · May 2, 2019, 03:22 PM

The only grandson is now 8 and a half. Started him a couple of years ago with a BB gun, iron sights in the backyard. Last year, a youth bow and arrow, which he really enjoyed. This year, dad moved him up to a single-shot bolt Cricket in 22. Pretty good shot at 50 yards.

May 2, 2019, 09:49 AM	#1
rpseraph Senior Member Join Date: October 23, 2015 Location: MinneSNOWta Posts: 454	Start 'Em Young! Ok, my kid isn't THAT young by many standards, he is turning 8 this week. Here's how it went down. Nerf guns starting around 3-4 Airsoft in the backyard with dad 5-6 BB guns age 7 He'll be firing a .22lr on his 8th birthday. (He's also been shooting a bow and arrow for a year or so) I think you have to read each kid differently, depending on their maturity. I think I could have accelerated the timeline greatly, but this is what has happened. I think the escalation has allowed me to build his confidence and to safely teach him the firearm safety rules. Additionally, he comes to the range with me from time to time (double ears!) Would love to hear your experiences and ideas. Also, what do you think about sights? Stick with irons for a while before optics or just go strait into optics because why not?

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May 2, 2019, 10:42 AM	#2
Aguila Blanca Staff Join Date: September 25, 2008 Location: CONUS Posts: 14,362	Iron sights for several years.

May 2, 2019, 03:22 PM	#3
mgulino Senior Member Join Date: July 2, 2017 Posts: 141	The only grandson is now 8 and a half. Started him a couple of years ago with a BB gun, iron sights in the backyard. Last year, a youth bow and arrow, which he really enjoyed. This year, dad moved him up to a single-shot bolt Cricket in 22. Pretty good shot at 50 yards.