1911 guy
Member
I have an 11 year old son that has recently developed an interest in shooting. He's been generally ambivalent about it before, so I haven't pushed. Just general safety when we've gone shooting together a few times in the past. He has a grasp on finger off the trigger, muzzle awareness and use the safety if equipped.
During our last few shooting sessions, I noticed that he is cross dominant, right handed and left eyed. Switched him to shooting left handed, as this seems to be the easiest fix, especially since he is young and will adapt easily. Already gaining comfort level left handed.
He can't seem to get any consistency with iron sights, though. At 25 yards, he's all over the map. 24 inch groups kind of inconsistency. We went out today, in spite of the 50 degrees and rain. I gave him a choice last night of taking an open sight rifle (the one he's used previously) or a scoped rifle (another .22, bolt rifle with a fixed 4X) and he chose the scope. He put fifty rounds into about four inches at 25 yards today.
My/his issue might not be a real issue, maybe just my own thoughts, which is why I'm asking here. I'm fine with him using a scope. My hang up, though, is how hard to push iron sights? Are they becoming an anachronism so forget it? Let him learn them after he's competent with a scope? Mix it up and learn both at the same time? As a Dad who is just happy to get his kid out shooting, I'm willing to go out and buy him a scope tomorrow. As someone who has used firearms professionally, I want him to learn irons as the default and glass as a convenience.
What do the minds here at THR say? What have your experiences with kids been? I had kids late (in my mid 40's and my oldest is 11) and this is my first time around teaching younger kids. Have taught nieces and nephews, but they've been teenagers with more eye hand coordination and longer attention spans.
During our last few shooting sessions, I noticed that he is cross dominant, right handed and left eyed. Switched him to shooting left handed, as this seems to be the easiest fix, especially since he is young and will adapt easily. Already gaining comfort level left handed.
He can't seem to get any consistency with iron sights, though. At 25 yards, he's all over the map. 24 inch groups kind of inconsistency. We went out today, in spite of the 50 degrees and rain. I gave him a choice last night of taking an open sight rifle (the one he's used previously) or a scoped rifle (another .22, bolt rifle with a fixed 4X) and he chose the scope. He put fifty rounds into about four inches at 25 yards today.
My/his issue might not be a real issue, maybe just my own thoughts, which is why I'm asking here. I'm fine with him using a scope. My hang up, though, is how hard to push iron sights? Are they becoming an anachronism so forget it? Let him learn them after he's competent with a scope? Mix it up and learn both at the same time? As a Dad who is just happy to get his kid out shooting, I'm willing to go out and buy him a scope tomorrow. As someone who has used firearms professionally, I want him to learn irons as the default and glass as a convenience.
What do the minds here at THR say? What have your experiences with kids been? I had kids late (in my mid 40's and my oldest is 11) and this is my first time around teaching younger kids. Have taught nieces and nephews, but they've been teenagers with more eye hand coordination and longer attention spans.