Daddy has junior batting left and throwing right
. My kids were kinda on the young side, 5 & 7, and started begging me to let them shoot my 1911. Thought about the FIRST thing my Dad did- made me take apart my new (used) model 351ka 22lr new haven into single pieces and clean the parts, learn their function and name, and THEN we went shooting. I went out and got a ruger 22/45 ss bull and me and the little guys went thru the drill. It was an incredibly rewarding experience for me, but they hated it
- but when we got to the creek and set up our targets they acted like pro's. No excitement, no stupidity, no reckleness at all. I didn't try and coach them on "THIS IS HOW IT MUST BE DONE", but let them loose with 50 rounds each. Then I shot some impressive groups (to them anyways
) and let their curiosity perk- it was all downhill after that. Easiest thing I ever had a part in teaching those guys. The oldest is now 20 and the little guy turns 18 in June. Never had a single firearm related exciting/scary moment with either one of them. BTW, something about my Dad working as an armorer in the MARINES might
have had something to do with this method of teaching. As far as theacing skills- remember~ some have it/ some don't. Youngest boy can impress anyone with a rifle or pistol of any cailber, oldest can't shoot craps.