My wife and I welcomed a baby girl to our family last month and I find myself looking forward to the day I can bring my daughter to the range. I already have a fine .22lr rifle, the CZ-452 Trainer with the marvelous tangent sights. Do you think this rifle will suffice to introduce her to shooting? Or should I get her a rifle of her own? How did you guys learn, did you use dad's gun or did you use something else?
Teaching the next generation to shoot
- Thread starter kamagong
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I must commend you for truly advance planning. 
I look forward to taking my bigger girls (10 and 8) to the range. The older one has expressed interest in my Makarov but she is more of a knife person. The younger one disdains the idea of shooting a real gun since they can be deadly, but she enjoys playing with the NERF guns and was pretty good with an AirSoft SIG 226. Go figure.
Oh, and congrats!
I look forward to taking my bigger girls (10 and 8) to the range. The older one has expressed interest in my Makarov but she is more of a knife person. The younger one disdains the idea of shooting a real gun since they can be deadly, but she enjoys playing with the NERF guns and was pretty good with an AirSoft SIG 226. Go figure.
Oh, and congrats!
Advanced planning.........
Hope she likes the idea as well. Not all girls (little or grown) take to weapons of any kind. I have 2 daughters and they have "0" interest. Just saying.
Hope she likes the idea as well. Not all girls (little or grown) take to weapons of any kind. I have 2 daughters and they have "0" interest. Just saying. 
Hokkmike
Member
I acquired my first firearm at the age of 20 while in college. It was a Winchester Model 94 in .32 special acquired for deer hunting. I wish I would have kept it.
I taught my daughter to shoot at the age of 12. And she and the son-in-law are anxious to teach their daughter. It will be a few years, since she is only 2 1/2.
AND, pappy has already put back a rifle for her
AND, pappy has already put back a rifle for her
Thanks for the input.
I don't really expect her to become an enthusiast like Dad, but it would make me happy if she did. She will however, learn how to shoot, that is non-negotiable. There are certain things that I will teach my children (e.g., learning to change a tire, sharpen a knife, etc.) because I consider them valuable skills to have. As kids they may not appreciate having those skills, but I will at the very least make sure that they have them. So my daughter will know how to use a rifle and handgun, as well as knowing how to keep them clean.
I don't really expect her to become an enthusiast like Dad, but it would make me happy if she did. She will however, learn how to shoot, that is non-negotiable. There are certain things that I will teach my children (e.g., learning to change a tire, sharpen a knife, etc.) because I consider them valuable skills to have. As kids they may not appreciate having those skills, but I will at the very least make sure that they have them. So my daughter will know how to use a rifle and handgun, as well as knowing how to keep them clean.
As for me... My father started me shooting pistol at about 5 or 6. A ruger MK II and a walther p38. A winchester 22 rifle at about 6 of 7, when my arms got long enough. At about 7 or 8, after much begging on my part to be like my big brothers he let me shoot his wingmaster 12g. He stood behind me with his hip to my back. I think he thought it was going to teach me to keep my mouth shut. I went home with a fat lip and a bloody mouth, and I was i love. I havent put down my guns since then.
As for my daughter... I bought her a CZ scout at 5. She shot it three or four times when she was smaller and liked it, but as she got older she got more "girly" and lost interest. Id like her to get back into it, but if its not for her, well its just not.
As for my daughter... I bought her a CZ scout at 5. She shot it three or four times when she was smaller and liked it, but as she got older she got more "girly" and lost interest. Id like her to get back into it, but if its not for her, well its just not.
i was listening to NRA radio on sirius (really bored drive 10 hours a day) and they made a good point. alot of the anti-gun crowd and simply different circumstance are combining to make todays youth far less exposed to firearms than previous generations.
with the boomers say 50% have firearms experience; with the new generation say 25%
now when all they hear about firearms is on tv talking about murders/shootings how do you think the new generation is going to vote on the firearms issue when they grow up?
btw i have a pic of me at about 4 shooting my 22lr marlin (still have it) and i have the stock sticking about 4" out under my armpit and my head leaned over sideways to see the sights; apparently i shot it alot from that point on!
with the boomers say 50% have firearms experience; with the new generation say 25%
now when all they hear about firearms is on tv talking about murders/shootings how do you think the new generation is going to vote on the firearms issue when they grow up?
btw i have a pic of me at about 4 shooting my 22lr marlin (still have it) and i have the stock sticking about 4" out under my armpit and my head leaned over sideways to see the sights; apparently i shot it alot from that point on!
I have two sons the older one is 09, he makes 4-5 inches groups with my Marlin 22 from a distance of 40+ meters,, whenever he disdains his school task we go to our back yard and I give him 5 bullets to shoot. I got my education that way starting with an air gun in fifth grade and a 30-06 in my Ph.D.
i dont have kids but i took the kid nexdoor out when he was 5 years old to shoot .22 the problem now is him and his sister wont stop asking to go shoot more guns!!
You are the only one with the answer to your question. All kids are different. The best of luck to your family.
Michael
Michael
I started out with the good old Red Ryder BB gun, moved up to a pellet gun and eventually worked into the family Ithaca M49 single shot .22 rifle.
I'm planning for it even though my wife and I aren't planning kids any times soon.
I think I'll get another Mossy M44 from the CMP for the youngster. Great rifles, and cheap as dirt right now.
I'll think about youth sized rifles when we actually have a kid.
I think I'll get another Mossy M44 from the CMP for the youngster. Great rifles, and cheap as dirt right now.
I'll think about youth sized rifles when we actually have a kid.
Kamagong, your CZ452 would be an excellent rifle to train a youngster with. An alternative to another rifle would be to obtain a replacement stock for your CZ. When your daughter is big enough you can cut down the extra stock as necessary and build it back up as she grows with a buttpad and/or grafting the cut off sections back on even if it might look a little scabby along the way. You can restore the rifle at any time by putting the original stock back on.
I totally agree with your sentiments on teaching children as much practical knowledge and skill as possible. When I started having kids I felt the same way. My kids were going to learn a number of things before they were grown up, one of which was to be able to handle a firearm in a safe and competent manner. Now that they are grown, it makes me happy to have seen them put that knowledge to use. My daughter still asks me for advice on teaching my 2 year old grandson similar things.
I totally agree with your sentiments on teaching children as much practical knowledge and skill as possible. When I started having kids I felt the same way. My kids were going to learn a number of things before they were grown up, one of which was to be able to handle a firearm in a safe and competent manner. Now that they are grown, it makes me happy to have seen them put that knowledge to use. My daughter still asks me for advice on teaching my 2 year old grandson similar things.
My Dad never bothered when I was young, and I've spoken to guys in the last two years who are mostly indifferent to any shooting.
This includes a co-worker who really enjoys paintball with his son.
Maybe it is very unsual to have become interested in guns at age 52 (in late '07), but my son was already off in college, and although he likes it, he seldom suggests going to plink.
Good luck.
This includes a co-worker who really enjoys paintball with his son.
Maybe it is very unsual to have become interested in guns at age 52 (in late '07), but my son was already off in college, and although he likes it, he seldom suggests going to plink.
Good luck.
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