Some things only come once in a lifetime...

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armoredman

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The sun was shining, the wind a very, very gentle breeze, the birds were singing, the killer winds of yesterday a mere memory, all in all a fine Arizona winter morning. Today was a special day, a special day beyond special days, not me with a new gun, not me with a new load...not really about ME at all. 8)
Today was Ricky's first time shooting, ever. Also the first rounds through his CZ 452 Scout, other than the factory sight in rounds. We were bouncy with excitement. :D This time I remembered everything, including shooting stool and camera. Also took the wife's new CZ 512 rifle, similarly unfired, and decided to give it a run through. The Mrs. was feeling poorly, so she blessed my use of her new long gun.
Ricky followed ALL range safety rules, and was PERFECT on the range. A nice gent shooting next to us complimented him on his range etiquette.

So we got all set up, and Ricky got ready to shoot his first round...

Setup.jpg

Whoops, forgot he's left handed, had to move to the other side of the bench.

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Single shot rifle, hand feed every round.

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BANG!

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And the result? Well, Dad has a camera, let's take a pic!

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He had so much fun it was unreal. He became a pro slapping that bolt up and down, and ran through quite a bit of ammo. He brought home two targets, but wanted them mounted before I could take pics - here they are on his wall!

Rickystargets.jpg

I tried the little 452 Scout - WOW. That's a 5 round group. BTW, the taped over bullseyes were Rickys.

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Then he wanted to try out Mommy's new rifle, the brand new CZ 512. It's interesting to note that he tried to cycle it after the first round, as that was what he was used to, but quickly became used to the idea of a self loading rifle.

Rickywith512.jpg

It worked quite well, but it doesn't like the bulk pack Federal ammo. Here is a pic of my shooting at 25 yards - was supposed to be a 5 round group, but the 5th round failed to fire.

512at25yards.jpg

Important to note, every .22lr firearm I have owned would have the occasional misfire with this cheap bulk pack ammo - the 452 Scout did NOT. Every round went off, and the firing pin indent was strong and even. Impressive.

At the end of our trip, I had to put a few through the Phantom, trying a new cast bullet load quickly, just to see if I got it right for the longer barrelled Phantom.

Phantomcastload.jpg

Yep, got it right. :D But Ricky wanted to try the Phantom out...

RickywithPhantom.jpg

I didn't get a pic of him shooting because I was helping him hold it - that's a big gun for little hands. He fired one round, and said it stung his hands a bit. I also didn't take a pic of the target, but it was a solid hit not 2 inches from the bullseye at 10 yards. His first ever pistol round. He did say he thinks he'll stick with rifles for now.


He paid me the best compliment yet - he said it was more fun than when the class went to the Reid Park Zoo yesterday. :) And he wanted to know if we could come back out tomorrow...
 
That grin is priceless :D Good for you and the boy.

Looks like he had a great time. My brother was about that age when we first got to shoot the rimfires, I was bit older. We had a single shot Remington 514 that dad bought used for $15 and borrowed the neighbors single action Ruger revolver (that was back in say oh 1960ish). Back then 50 rounds would last a good 30 minutes :eek: as we killed all sorts of menacing stuff at the river.

My dad has been gone for over 10 years but I can still remember like it was yesterday begging him to go the the river to shoot all the time. My son now has the Remington 514 and my grandson now shoots it, 4 generations :)

And... your boy's a lefty like many of us here !
 
I am sooo looking forward to this day when it comes time for my son & I... another couple of years. GREAT job on teaching him proper range etiquette - sometimes I feel like some people have never been shown that....
 
Guns and Ammo..$$$$, Camera....$$$$ Day at the range with Ricky......

PRICELESS!


Awesome outing. :cool:


Sweet Memories....mine are all over 21 now.... but I remember those days and a Chipmunk 22. :)
 
Hello friends and neighbors// tomorrow... you lucky dog, he sounds like a real shooter.

Once in a life time memory for sure.
Congrats on creating a great first time for him. I can imagine your satisfaction.

Congrats to Ricky for the fine shooting, especially that great first shot !
 
Great work dad! I loved taking my son out for his first time. We do it on a regular basis now, and I imagine you will be soon too. I no longer have to figure out who is going shooting with me on Saturday or who is gonna hit the gunshop with me, I already know.
 
First, great experience for both of you. I missed out on this opportunity since my dad didn't shoot. Second, do you own stock in CZ, you seem to like their stuff. One other thing, plain foam ear plugs might be more comfortable next time, he is only shooting 22lr.
 
One can tell that the poor lad is feeling badly abused and harshly dealt with. :rolleyes:

Regardless what the anti-gunners might say, the lad's smile says it all. He's having a day at the range with dad and enjoying himself immensely. :D

Let's hope that he doesn't go to school and mention this because it might violate some idiotic non-violence policy or other. :fire:
 
Sounds like a great day. I say take the target off his wall and get that sucker framed. You would hate to see something happen to it. I plan on taking my dad shooting for his first time this summer. I wish he was into shooting when I was a kid.
 
We actually have had that chat, Larry - he is not to mention firearms or anything about them at school, precisely for that reason...but I doubt he'll be able to keep this to himself.
No, shotgunjoel, I don't own stock in CZ, I don't think they're publicly traded. We had the CZ range bag, my CZ hat, CZ shirt, etc.:D I really like the brand, get a lot more than I pay for. :) Now I have started another CZ shooter. ;D
That 512is pretty neat, poly and metal design, dual recoil springs.

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twofifty, Ricky grew up with guns in the house, and we started with him as soon as he was able to get into things. Now I could leave a loaded pistol on the table, and he wouldn't touch it. Not scared, just no mystery - we took a page from Ma's book, and removed the mystery. And no, I don't actually DO that. :) He knows if he wants to see one of Daddy's or Mommy's guns all he has to do is ask, and we'll let him handle it under our direct supervision.
 
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Ain't nothing better than a day at the range with a kid. My daughter started when she was 5 and had to have her first target on the refigerator door along with the rest of her artwork. She is now 28 and gonna shoot to shoot trap with me and the gang today. She also shoots Pdogs in SD every June with me.
Took my nephews out a couple years ago with mixed results.
 
Starting each year about March 1, the NSSF offers an annual shooting patch for youth. Each year a different looking patch can be earned by youth in rifle and shotgun shooting. NSSF supplies the target in PDF form which you print at home. Your young shooter can attempt the target as many times as needed. When the target is completed, the adult emails the NSSF and they mail the patch. The entire program and patch is free and is designed to encourage young shooters. It is especially suited to Scout, 4H, Sunday Schools, and other organized youth groups.

nssf-scoutingtarget.jpg

My BSA Troop has been shooting the targets for about 10 years now and the boys are very excited to shoot and earn the patch, which they wear on their uniform with pride. Younger Scouts are "wowed" when the older Scouts show them 5 or 6 consecutive patches. So it's a self-promoting program.

09ClayPatch.gif
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If you have youth in shooting, this is a tool you can use.
 
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