[winterwinter]

Hi, fellas. Wanna buy a very cool Christmast for my favorite nepnew this year. A nice shooter might be the way to go, right? I've just looked into this Camo Marshmallow Shooter. What ya think? Am I on the right track? Will he be disappointed? Any other good options?

[docnyt]

Wait a minute. Are we talking toy guns or real ones? I was going to suggest a Browning Buckmark since my 2 older girls have gotten pretty good with it. But as far as toys, I guess it depends how far you wanna go. My boy likes his Nerf guns and also a Wild West SAA lookalike that comes with electronic sensing targets that react when shot with the infrared gun.

[whitecoyote]

Check out the T/C Hot Shot. I picked one up a few weeks ago. A very neat, well made rifle.
http://www.tcarms.com/firearms/youth_hot_shot.php
http://i54.tinypic.com/25k207p.jpg

[WeedWacker]

Red Ryder BB gun, just be sure he doesn't shoot his eye out :evil:

But seriously, a BB gun wouldn't be a bad idea, maybe the Daisy el cheapo western lever lookalikes. Growing up they are a blast to plink at cans with.

[Oyeboten]

I was about 8 years old, small for my age, pale, not athletic...when my dad took me out shooting for the first time.

The only Revolver he had, was M1917 S & W in .45 ACP and, we stopped at an Army Navy Store and bought a few brown Boxes of WWII Surplus Hadball ( for I think $1.00 a Box ) and...


I loved it, I did just fine with it, recoil never bothered me a bit, and, I was a good shot right at the get go.


Seems a mite stout to think about, now that I am an adult, but, somehow, at the time, I was just fine with it, and, thought it very satisfying and fun to Shoot.


Given I had small Hands at the time, I still wonder how I managed the reach on that thing...

[kaferhaus]

BB gun

[HGUNHNTR]

I received a Marlin model 60 for my eighth birthday, it is the best gift I have ever gotten and I am 30+ years old.

[Bubbles]

Ask your nephew's father what he thinks would be appropriate. At eight years old some kids are mature enough for a .22, while others shouldn't even have access to a marshmallow gun.

[Gaffer]

I have two BB guns waiting for my grandsons but not until their dad says it is OK. Every time I see 8 years old now I think of the young lad of 8 who tried the Uzi at a Mass. machine gun shoot and it walked up and shot him in the head. The case is just going to trial now and is going to be a big mess. These things happen when adults do not use common sense.

[TriTone]

When i was eight my father procured an ANSCHÜTZ WOODCHUCK in .22LR. I still use it today for a quick rodent or small animal dispatch tool. You don't have to break the bank, but start them off with something accurate, well made, and safe. Gunbroker has some Woodchucks available. I started out on iron sights and in a couple years he taught me how to mount a scope. Good f/s memories indeed.

Best Wishes,

Tri

[Smokey Joe]

Winter Winter--A lot depends on the maturity of the individual child. There are 8 yo's with whom I'd trust anything in my arsenal. There are other 8 yo's, and for that matter adults, who, except for their constitutional right, ought not to be allowed near any weapon, or for that matter anything more potentially dangerous than a pillow.

If you know this lad well enough to be sure he is trustworthy with the responsibility of a weapon, AND it's OK with his parents, then go for it. I know, I know, it's "only" a marshmallow shooter. You still don't want him shooting it at his baby sister, or the cat, or some such.

Remember the rule: Never point a weapon at something you are not willing to destroy. You know the Bible quote (which I can't bring to mind): Start 'em young on the right path and they will grow up right.

If his parents--especially Mom--say NO, then don't. No use starting an avoidable fight, and making a scene at Christmas time.

[RimfireChris]

I've got mine a Mossberg half-pint plinkster.

[ZCORR Jay]

As many mentioned it really depends on the maturity of the kid and what the parents think. If he's mature and will have supervision while using it get him a bb gun or if it's something he's gonna use on his own maybe start off with the toy.

I was given a bb gun when I was ten and I got yelled at a few times for bb holes in random things. :rolleyes:

[therewolf]

And here I was, all ready to say"Well, a 22LR rifle would probably be good, if he's learned firearm safety with a BB gun..."

Then I look at the site you posted.

More at issue here is: Are you teaching your children firearm safety?

Toys which don't teach them proper safety techniques, or improperly encourage them to point a loaded weapon indiscriminately may be more harm than good, IMO.

He's old enough for a BB gun, and to start learning the responsibility and safety techniques which come with it.

The year I got my first BB gun was a very special Christmas for me.;)

[postalnut25]

My youngest daughter got a hot pink Walther p22 when she was 5 1/2. Look at one of those.

Hopefully not in hot pink.

[SSN Vet]

It all depends on how mature the boy is.

IMO... only his mom and dad should make the call.

What do they say?

[Nail Shooter]

BB gun for sure, every kid should have one.


Nail

[The Lone Haranguer]

Somebody needs a CZ 452 Scout. :)

[Singletracker]

I'm a noob here but here is my two cents.

My son (7) has had my old Daisy for the past year. He goes to the gun shop with me and has shot everything from the .17HMR to the .270 but we stick mostly to the .22

He asks every trip when he gets his .22 (He actually said "You know, Bullets are my middle name!") I reply with, when I don't have to remind you where your BB gun is pointed.

We still work on it, at 7 it's hard (I got my first .410 at 7 and first 20ga at 10)

I'd go lever action BB gun myself and see how he does.

[lwsimon]

I got my little girl a Savage 1906 - she LOVES it. Quality slide action rifles are hard to find these days, and I hope it will be something she has for a looong time.

[Sauer Grapes]

Since it's your nephew, only you can determine what's appropriate as a gift. I never had any toy guns of any kind, I was too busy shooting the real thing. My only thing about toy gun of any type is kids run around shooting everything and everybody with them. I was taught, never point ANY GUN, toy or otherwise at anybody.
Marshmellow gun? I'd end up eating all the ammo.....:neener:

[Five of Clubs]

Hi, fellas. Wanna buy a very cool Christmast for my favorite nepnew this year. A nice shooter might be the way to go, right? I've just looked into this Camo Marshmallow Shooter. What ya think? Am I on the right track? Will he be disappointed? Any other good options?

I guy I work with has one of these, but he highly recommends the Marshmallow Blaster over the Shooter. (LINK (http://www.amazon.com/Marshmallow-Fun-Co-Blaster-Classic/dp/B000E3BNUE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1291767795&sr=8-1)). They also come in camo for us Southerners. :D IIRC, his son is about seven and loves it. I think their dog does most of the cleanup!

[txhoghunter]

For my 8th birthday I received a single shot 20 ga. My dad and I primarily bird hunt which is why I was started off with a shotgun as opposed to a .22, my dad just was not, and still isn't completely comfortable with rifles. As much as I loved shooting, even target loads kicked quite a bit. I think that if he is like me he can handle this, but a youth .22 LR would be a great starter gun. No recoil and FUN to shoot. Just make sure to teach him SAFETY FIRST and he will love shooting for a lifetime. It is great to get kids started shooting young with the proper instruction!!

[Jorg]

Damn Chinese spammers. If you see a link to "dealstudio" like this one had, please report it. The spammer are getting tricky in posting a few messages before dropping their spam links.