Son wants to shoot

Status
Not open for further replies.
T

T4A

Member
Joined
Aug 2, 2004
Messages
16
Location
Down da bayou
My son has expressed an interest in coming to the range with me. He's 12 and has only shot his BB gun. My question is what gun to let him shoot. I don't have any .22's. Only an SP101, Glock 17 and Colt .45. I was thinking of letting him shoot the 101 with .38's in it, but not sure. Which of these guns, if any, do you think I should start him out on?
 
Those are some big guns for a first shoot. They're no fun for a kid. The grips are too big and the kick is too strong for him to have any fun. You need a .22 to really introduce him to shooting.

Start him off right. Teach him safety and proper technique. The habits he forms in the first few days on the range will be the ones he lives by. I just started my 12 y.o. son shooting. I was amazed at the subtle bad habits I had acquired shooting solo. We did some homework first about how to sight, trigger squeeze, etc. We talked a lot about gun safety in general and on the range. The range I belong to rents guns so I got him a P-22, which has a small frame and is a lot of fun for him.

Around here most of the indoor ranges will rent handguns to use on their range. If you cannot find one near you, consider a .22 revolver or rifle. They can be had new or used for under $200.

When I take him he prefers the .22 Auto. I let him shoot the bigger guns but he can have more fun with the .22.

Good luck and enjoy. It's one of those father/son moments that they remember.
 
sounds like a good excuse to buy a 22

besides, everyone should own a 22. it's like your civic duty.
 
If you can swing it financially, this is the perfect opportunity to get a .22 rifle. If you cannot do that, then the SP-101 loaded with either .38 Special wadcutters or .38 Special 130 FMJ Ball, which is a light load.

That said, an SP-101 is would not be amongst my top choices for a gun to teach a newbie, especially a 12 y/o.
 
Quote: Good luck and enjoy. It's one of those father/son moments that they remember.

Absolutely. For me it was father/ daughter moment when Dad was teaching me to shoot pistol (oops--handgun). This was with a S&W .357 - around 28 years ago. He did not have any .22 handguns then. I'll have to admit, I was scared poopless at first. I was really young and that baby had a big boom. But, the scared feeling did not last long.....and I still love wheelguns.
 
I have been wanting to get a .22, just never did. Not sure if I should get a handgun or rifle. Can't get both just yet.
 
With your options, I would choose the 101 with light 38 loads. But like others have said it would not be my first choice if a 22 was available. I have a friend whose 14 year old son was introduced to shooting with a 9mm Beretta and he loved it.

Can you borrow a 22 rifle or pistol from someone? Maybe a Ruger 22/45, or single six, a S&W model 22a or something similar. At my range, they usually keep a couple of 22 rifles for youths stashed for young shooters to borrow, maybe that's an option.
 
You should be able to get an old single shot .22 for less than $100 used, and they breed when you put them in the closet, if you have at least two. :D

My son was shooting my Gold Cup by the age of 12, but he had started shooting a .22 rifle at age 8 and .22 handguns at 9 or 10.
 
Those are some big guns for a first shoot. They're no fun for a kid.
Click to expand...
My eight and ten year old boys shoot my Kimber and they love it. From my experience the trigger pull seems to be the limiting factor for most kids (and some adults for that matter), not the size of the grips or the recoil. They REALLY love shooting our AK too.

If you decide to get a .22 for your son, let him pick one out. Pick a day after he gets good grades or behaves particularly well and surprise him with a trip to the gun store and the range. He'll always remember it.

Guess I need to go get one then cause I am zero balance here as well.
Click to expand...
Get a rope!
 
I have a 12 year old, but he's been shooting for four years.
Just remember at first it's fun to shoot but what's a lot more fun is to actually hit what you're aiming at. Nothing better for that than a 22 rifle off a bench rest.
I can remember trying to shoot my dad's K-38 at that age and I couldn't hit dirt.
12 year olds have very little hand strength.

Teach him well.
Steve
 
Go to a used gun store that lets you handle the guns with out asking and a wide varty of .22s. Then let hime pick one out for less then $200.

I am biased and suggest a ruger 10/22, carbine model. I really LOVE mine. However if you are straped for cash Dunames have .22lr romaian bolt action trainers for easly less then $100. However kids LOVE rapid fire actoin. I know I did (still do)!
 
Get the young man a Ruger 10/22 rifle. They're inexpensive, fun to shoot, accurate, and reliable as all get out.

I guarantee that he'll love shooting it and think that you're the best Dad to ever walk the Earth (not that he doesn't think that already ;) ).
 
If your son can hold them properly and reach the controls, you might also look at a .22 conversion for either your Glock, or .45. This can also be a cheap, fun way for YOU to get more practice for your money as well. I am really jonesing for a .22 conversion for my Beretta 96.
 
If you feel he can handle the SP, get some bunny fart cowboy loads. 1st time recoil issues can turn him off to shooting. Almost as good as a 22 :what:
 
Last edited:
bunny fart cowboy loads?? :confused: DO TELL

Yes, sir, I believe you and your son could both have a great time with a new .22!!! :D go shopping together! If not, the SP, IMHO, would be good if you feel he is ready.
 
Sounds like a good time to get him a .22

Also you can have him shoot all your handguns with light or mild loads, you never know he might like them.
 
Buy a .22 rifle. Money well spent.

Then again, the first handgun I ever shot was a .44 Mag out of a 629 when I was about 12 or so. Actually, younger. 10, maybe? I dunno. All I knew was that I wanted to shoot something bigger :D
 
Hi T4A,
Don't mean to sound melodramatic but firmly believe that parents should water safe and gun safe their children. Encourage your son's interest in shooting and TEACH HIM SAFE GUN HANDLING HABITS. Even if it means selling one of your pistols, would strongly encourage you to buy him a .22 rifle as his first gun and NOT A SEMIAUTOMATIC. It is much too easy to accidentally pull the trigger again when excited or confused. Save the semiauto's until he has progressed sufficiently to be safe with them.
Not only will you and your son share many unforgettable times together but you MAY SAVE HIS LIFE by teaching him gun safety. So-called "gun accidents" are more often correctly called "gun mishandling". He may someday find himself in a situation where "friends" are handling guns unsafely and knowing what to do and NOT to do could save his life or a friend's life.
Will get off my soap box now.

Good shooting and be safe.
LB
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

O
  • Locked
My wife says my son's not old enough.to shoot..
2 3
Replies
62
Views
3K
Wanderer
W
C
  • Locked
starting young son shooting
Replies
19
Views
919
FieroCDSP
F
S
  • Locked
Best way to start out a child.
Replies
15
Views
751
catfish101
C
SteadyD
  • Locked
What age for first time shooting a gun?
2 3 4
Replies
82
Views
3K
HOWARD J
H
T
  • Locked
Range trip with step son yesterday..
Replies
4
Views
708
rayjay
R
Back
Top