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ausher · Member

My boys are 8 and 10. I let them shoot my 2240. They are getting pretty good at shooting tin cans at about 15 feet. I do not let them use it without me there tho. I load it for them and hand it to them. Being a single shot seems much safer than a repeater since one shot and it's done not like a repeater if they decide to get trigger happy and fire away at everything.

fritz · Silver Status Member

If they can hold it, then why not train them to PROPERLY and RESPONSIBLY use it?

It's those kids that don't get to have their curiosity satiated that do stupid things.

sniper · Silver Status Member

8-10 is a good age. i had my nephew behind my mini-14 when he was 7.
he just turned 10 and i just bought him a tech force 6.

ausher · Member

i was shooting bb/pellet guns since i was 6 unsupervised back in the late 70's. me and my friends would go across the street to the trainyard grain silos and shoot pigeons. i never got hurt or hurt anyone with it. got in trouble once for shooting our garage window tho... but that was back when it was safe for kids to be gone all day doing fun kid stuff.

Joe · New Member

My 5 year old has a nerf gun. Until he learns to control his muzzle and trigger, that's all he gets. He'll graduate to an airsoft gun, bb gun, .22s, and finally real steel guns as his capabilities increase. That being said, he had an airsoft gun, one pellet a day for being haved, when he was 3. That lasted till he got sneaky and tried to microwave it. Can't wait to see that look on his face when he shoots the AK.

J5311 · Member

Well I was 24 when I got my first gun.... I am now... And I'm still not allowed to touch them... (mommy says)

hahahahahhaah

bobtodrick · Member

My sons are now 9 and 7. They both received Red Ryders for their 6th birthdays (the younger one found that an incredibly long wait).
I myself had my first .22 when I was 8 and was competing in youth 3 position rifle when I was 9.
I personally think that, with proper and strict supervision 6 is not too young. But I do mean strict!!
For example, NEVER POINT A GUN AT SOMEONE...EVER! If, for example one of the boys swung his Red Ryder in an arc that would have pointed it at someone...even accidentally...the gun went away for two weeks.
That sort of thing.
And I'm very ambivaltent towards things like NERF and Airsoft. I don't know how you tell a 7 year old that he can shoot his brother with 'this' gun...but not 'that'.
So...even though they really like to play shooting games...I try and discourage it, saying things like 'instead, lets to down to the basement and do some target shooting with your Red Ryders'.
For me this has worked very well. At 9 and 7 my boys are very safe and truly grasp that these are not toys and not to be played with.
To the point that for their upcoming 'graduation' (yes, they now graduate from grades 1 and 3) they will be getting the BAM AK lookalike .177 pellet rifles as they have both become frustrated with not being able to hit things consistently at 25 feet with their b.b. guns.

donec · Senior Member

I don't think anyone can place an age on when someone is able to handle a gun. When a parent is ready to put the time and effort into teaching their children to handle a gun then and only then, should they consider if the particular child is capable of handling a gun safety and if so then start teaching them to do so very carefully.

yourdaddyjoe · Supporting Member

sniper · Silver Status Member

jeager106 · Member

I started my youngest on air soft at age 5. Graually moved him up to springers and CO2 pellet guns, then rimfire, now he's 10, has his own Smith M&P 16" collapsable stock, scope,, makes 3" groups at 120 with that one.
Can handle his own 9mm and .357, shoots my Kiber .45, has his own in line .50, loves his Gamo Shadow bad trigger and all.
Always shooting glasses, ear protection, and supervised.
He takes his shooting seriously and sees what the M&P rifle .223 can do to a full can of veggies and melons.
He's very safe and respects the safety of others.

fritz · Silver Status Member

I'd like to be your kid. His friends must be very jealous.