My son's first trigger pull

[jeepmor]

I bought my son a Rossi youth 22/410 combo while he was still in the womb. About a month ago, when he was just shy of three y/o, we went out and shot it for the first time. He was the first to fire the gun.

It all started by asking him if he was ready to bring his gun shooting, and the answer, for the first time, was yes. In short, I cleaned off all the cosmoline and oiled the gun to ready it for it's first outing.

We arrived and setup the targets then returned to the back of the truck. Him and I covered the 4 rules and loaded the gun. He can't quite pull the hammer back himself yet, which did not surprise me. He enjoyed the first 5 rounds or so and then lost interest. Not bad. He stopped shooting and went about his business playing with the dogs while mother and I sighted the rifle in at about 40-50 feet. Nice little shooter this gun. I'm looking forward to some rabbit and ground squirrel shooting with him and this rifle.

I reviewed the pics and we botched them all, so none to share.

jeepmor

 

[G27RR]

Nice moment. I bought my sons a pair of Marlin 795s and a pair of M&P15s in anticipation of having those moments with my boys and then passing the rifles on to them. They are both a bit too young still but I am looking forward to it.

 

[Al Thompson]

pair of M&P15s

I think that was very smart. I have some things salted away for my niece and nephew.

 

[jeepmor]

I was thinking of salting away things for my nephews, but then my wife got pregnant.

 

[G27RR]

I was thinking of salting away things for my nephews, but then my wife got pregnant.

That does put a damper on things. My gun budget pretty well went away after our second was born earlier this year.

 

[Al Thompson]

AR-15 lower receivers are pretty inexpensive and salt well.

 

[58savage340]

I love the Rossi's for first guns. My oldest started with a .22/20 ga. and my youngest just got the one with the .22/20/243. We spent Christmas afternoon in the north 40 sending lead down range as a family.

 

[clutch]

My youngest nephews all got ammo, shooting classes and targets for Christmas. I don't have children so I gotta influence the nephews to support the RKBA.

Clutch

 

[K-Rod]

I HATE YOU GUYS!!!

The conversation happening way too much lately in my house.

Wife: "Can we start thinking about having a baby?"

Me: "Are you crazy!!"

Wife: "Please can we at least think about it???"

Me: "I think the garage needs to be cleaned!!!"

Now either she's serious or she knows it's a way to get my chores done but the idea of having another excuse to buy more guns & visions of me with my three year old son or daughter pulling the trigger for the first time has me thinking next time the conversation comes up, I'm gonna call her bluff & not do my chores. Wink Wink ;^)

 

[CoRoMo]

My little boy tried his hardest to pull the trigger on my .22 rifle, but even with a couple fingers from both hands, he couldn't do it. It broke my heart. Of course, that was back when he was 2 years old. Things are quite different now.

I bought him a Red Ryder this year, but I did not give it to him. I'm going to wait until I know for certain that he can break the horrible trigger on it before I give it to him. I figure that he'll like it more if he can cock the lever and pull the trigger. If he can't break the trigger, he won't want it.

This thread makes me want to go shooting with my boy!!

 

[Hardtarget]

I think the first range trip is great fun! Short and sweet. He will have fun (so will you) for years with that gun.

I made sure both of my daughters in law got a red neck Christmas their first year with us. Both got ammo...then we went shooting.

Good idea to pick up a few guns to let them grow into. They see them as the years go by and look forward to claiming the guns as they get older. Thats how I got several of mine!

Mark

 

[unwise11]

CoRoMo, your boy could probably benifit from a Rem 700 in .17 Rem with a Timney 2oz tactical... No break effort required

 

[dc.fireman]

I began building an AR rifle, the moment I found out I was having a son. I am so looking forward to his first range day- but it's still about 4 years away. The funny thing is, he knows it's his- and keeps an eye on which rifles I take to the range...

 

[FIVETWOSEVEN]

with a Timney 2oz tactical

2 oz trigger!

 

[G27RR]

I shoot the rifles I bought for my boys every now and then so when I pass them down, they are getting one of "Dad's guns" and not just an off the shelf rifle. Hopefully that makes them a little more special to them.

I'm not going to tell them ahead of time either, it's just going to be "son, this is your's now, I think it's time you have your own rifle".

 

[jeepmor]

..they are getting one of "Dad's guns"...

I'm not going to tell them ahead of time either, it's just going to be "son, this is your's now, I think it's time you have your own rifle".

I appreciate and understand that sentiment, but mine is different. Mine is "Son, this is your gun, I bought it for you to grow into."

He can't pull back the hammer and can barely break the trigger at 3 y/o. End of next year, I'm sure it'll be different in regards to strength. No telling on interest. Maybe he'll go sage rat shooting with me this spring in the Crane area. That would be a lot of trigger time which might hold his attention well, or not, he's 3. A couple years from now it'll probably be me getting tired before he does. Kinda looking forward to that. Shooting sage rats from dusk to dawn is quite fun.

jeepmor

 

[G27RR]

Jeepmor, I hope you didn't take my post to mean I thought my way was better or anything like that. I think your approach is great, too. The important thing is having a great time with your kids and passing on the knowledge and safety practices to the next generation.

 

[Geno]

Glad you had a bonding moment. Teach them to respect, not fear firearms. To me, handguns, rifles and shotguns are as normal in the home as a knife, spoon and fork.

Geno