My daughter started when she was 5 with a crossman 760 in the basement now she can shoot light reloads out of a model 95 mauser with 6.5x55 barrel short stock that fits her , also look out when she gets the M1 carbine .

I think children should start shooting before birth,
That means mother is a shooter, MHO and .02

I started at seven and think that's appropriate. Fit is important .Get a kid gun or an extra buttstock and cut it down.Best advise for kids - single shot only !! I wonder if the Savage single shot , the old Stevens design, would be a good way to go .

My son was 6 when he started shooting a ruger 10/22. He had a great time with it but it was just a little to long a stock for him. Then he tried out my Bullberry .221 Fireball Thompson carbine setup about a year later. It was perfect for him. It had a cheapie fixed power scope on it and he was shooting decent 50 yard groups with it. He's 11 now and thinks the rifle is his. I wanted to put a nicer scope on it, and he told me not touch his rifle!

I think that when you let a child go shooting depends on the child. Even if you are watching very closely ... well you have to blink sometime!

My son's older brother quickly spun around on me to see if I saw the shot he just made. I almost compounded the problem by my reaction. He was pointing the still loaded 10/22 at my foot! He was 9 at the time.

2 years later, right after taking a hunter education course with him, we went deer hunting together. We were sitting close together in a perfect spot. We were there for about a half hour when he decided to bag a wood-pecker at the top of a nearby tree with his lever-action .357 Magnum.

That boy had a serious "Duh-Factor"! He's a good kid, just wasn't the right time for him, that's all. He's 23 now and he's a fine young man. Still don't think I'd take him shooting though.

I was just wondering when the other AR people start allowing their kids to shoot/hunt? I've started teaching my kids from day one about gun safety. I've not brought them to the range untill they have turned 6.
Dean

My son started shooting my 22-250 when he was 3 a few months from 4. He sat on my lap I held the gun he looked in the scope and pulled the trigger. He is 5 now and has a 22lr a pellet gun and a Hoyt bow. I started him just going to the range. Letting him be around gun going off. We went and got him child sized muffs and glasses, made a big deal at the store. Do it in small sessions when no one is at the range. Do not take them when serious range work needs done. My daughter getting ready to turn 2 in April knows what the boom booms in the cabinet do. She takes a nap every day when I drop my 5 year old off at school. I park a few feet from the bench and work on loads. So far she has been really patient in her car seat in the truck with the windows up, she sleeps through most of it. My oldest daughter is 9 and has no interest in hunting but loves to go along for doves and will shoot my 22 mag until I make her get off the bench. You will know. If it seems too early wait a few months a try again. Only problem now is my 2 oldest like to go so much it is hard to get some alone time at the range, but that ain't so bad I guess.

My son started with a Gamo pellet gun when he turned six. When he was 9 I got him a Savage youth .22 and a scope. When he turned 10 (because of his good grades) I got him a used 22-250 I picked up for not much money. He now shoots prairie dogs and targets with me and is quite safe while doing it. I also bought him a .260 Rem. Mtn Rifle that he will get to use when he is old enough to carry it for BG (I keep using to make sure it works tho).

Depends on the child. I used to coach an 8 year old boy who I had to hold by the shirt because if he thought he hit the bullseye he tried to head downrange to check, despite the fact that others were still shooting. I insisted his parents withdraw him from my program until he developed some awareness. Others that age are very capable of taking instruction and are very keen shooters. My theory is teach them proper firearms safety and handling at a young age and they have it for life.

I was taking my daughter out the range when she ws six or so. She did a fair amount of shooting, but I can't say that she "cottoned" to it. She hasn't held or fired a gun in better than 10 years now, but I'm glad that I taught her about firearms safety and handling as there was always a loaded gun in the house. Perhaps her two boys will be more open to shooting than she was.....you can bet that I will be sure that opportunity knocks

Have taught Hunter Safety now for 5yrs and other junior programs, YHEC, 4H air rifle and others. You are all very correct, it depends on the kid. I feel it is a must that the firearm fits, stock length, eye relief and scope height are the most notable. Usually kid size 22s come with a 5 to 8 pound trigger, hardly managable for an adult muchless a 8yr old. Built up some kid size 22s for my nephews but they were more interested in playing Nintendo, so I now loan out thier rifles as starter guns for anyone interested in starting out thier kids. Money well spent

d

I think there's only 2 universal truths on this question. Regardless of the kid's size, gender, age, chosen first firearm etc, these are:
1. Whenever the kid can follow the direction the FIRST time, EVERY time.
2. Once you have #1, as soon as the kid shows even the slightest interest.

A 6 year old nephew has shown some interest, but he's nowhere near ready to follow directions. He asked me when he could come with me. I told him "As soon as you can follow directions the first time." I was babysitting at the time so I told his dad as well.

Mine started shooting their chipmunk around 5 or so. That was just to make them "aware" that something is going on.

My 11 year old shot his first birds last year with a 20 ga, and is now just starting training for center fire. He's a big, strong kid, but even youth firearms are plenty big, yet. He is just now able to shoot small groups from the bench with the 223 (down loaded).

Mental maturity, muscle control, all take quite a bit of time to develop. I just gave them enough of a taste to get them hooked, and have been waiting for them to get ready to "step up" to reality.

I'm supposed to get my 11 year old ready to shoot an elk with his 270 this year. I have 750 223 rounds ready for him to pop off on the road to that goal, but we may not get there till next year. FWIW, Dutch.

My son started when he was 6 with a pellet gun....moved up to a .22 single shot at 7. Started shooting prairie rats at 9 (he is quite effective out past 300 yards) Now he is almost 11 and has a complete arsenal...in fact I just bought him a 20 ga. shotgun for his birthday and I have a .260 Rem in my safe with his name on it when he can handle that.

Children should start shooting when the bad guys get inside the 25 meter range!!!