feel free to verbally bitch-slap me a thread if one already exists on this topic
My oldest of three boys turns 5 in a couple months, and I want to get him started off right. Seems like most first-guns people get are hand-me-downs or just whatever was cheap at the time, but I have the means and time to get ahold of something better for my boy.
My thoughts are single shot bolt action .22lr, but that’s basically just because its the cliche weapon to start on. If thats the case, I’ll just get him a marlin 'lil buckaroo from a pawn shop for $50 and call it good. However, maybe there’s better weapons to learn on.
.223 bolt gun? I know next to nothing about bolt guns- I cut my teeth on a 7mm magnum and then did BRM on an M16A2. Starting with the bolt-gun totally fucked me up on the 16, as I perpetually lifted my cheek after every shot in an attempt to chamber another round, forgetting the 16 was an auto. took a long time to break this habit. it was nice to shoot something that didn’t dislocate my shoulder every time i squeezed the trigger, though. taking my experience into account, i have no clue what to get him. i also wasn’t 5 when i started shooting, i was more like 17.
Getting started with a bolt-action at a young age is a great way for kids to learn safety, marksmanship, and a healthy respect for firearms. Also, don’t forget the iconic Marlin 39A (a lever-action .22LR). It ain’t exactly a BB-gun, but it’s a good bit less lethal (and less expensive to shoot!) than a .223.
lindertw might pop into this thread if you’re lucky. He has been teaching his young daughter to shoot both rifle and pistol and I’m absolutely amazed that anyone can shoot so well at her age. She’s genuinely impressive to watch, and lindertw has put a lot of thought into what they’re doing on the range.
My 4 year old son and my 20 month old daughter both have Cricket .22s waiting on them for when they turn 5 (wifes rule, not mine). They are reliable, pretty easy to find around here and wont break the bank.
At 5 years old, I think a .22 is about all I want my kids to shoot. I guess I look at it the same as when I take my son fishing. If I make him stay when he is ready to go he will not like it after a while and I will not have my little fishing buddy. If I give him something to shoot that hurts his shoulder or may be a little to much for him he will not like it as much. When he gets used to the .22 I will let him make up his mind when he wants to upgrade calibers. I know that may seem like I may be giving him a lot of room in making his own choices but like I said, I want him to get as much enjoyment out of it as I do.
I second the CZ 452 Scout suggestion. This gun is much more of a real quality gun than other kids guns that I’ve handled. It’s something that I could see getting handed down to the children of your children, and thier kids . . .
One thing to note is that it also takes the same mags as the other CZ 452 models. So, you can get one of the adult versions, your kids can use grown up mags, and it makes your range time easier.
I agree with all that mentioned the Cricket. I bought one for my son when he was six and they are great for the kids to learn on and they have a safety latch that locks the bolt open that takes a key to unlock. He loved it and still has it. We are letting my daughter shot it now as well. Great little gun!!!
I bought a Chipmunk for my son when he was five and it served him and my younger son well. It is a single shot that requires some strength to cock it. Perfect for the beginner because you can sit with them and they cannot reload without your help.
I agree with a pellet gun idea. Thats whats I started with. But as far a real gun. Why get your kid a piece of crap that hes going to grow out of anyways? Why not get him a better platform that he can grow on and hone his skills and keep it for the rest of his life. I rec a ruger 10/22, cheap, cheap to shoot and room to grow. Start out with the irons and add optics barrels and soon your sons really learning to shoot and balistics.
i’m the Antitentwentytwo himself. hate ruger with a passion. never seen a company with so much potential and name recognition and history fail to seize the opportunity to produce a decent weapon.
i think he’s gonna get a bolt .223… i don’t want something that’ll hold him back, and .22 just isn’t good for much beyond 25m. he’s not even firing an auto till he’s achieved some goals, and not getting one till he’s achieved more. then we’ll start thinking about his first AR build.
My son is 7, I started him w/ a BB gun at 5 and am moving him over to the cricket actually next week. Then we are taking him to appleseed to get some distance shooting training on the 18th.
I recommend the a BB gun at age 5 and see how mature he is around/with it and move him up from there. Our biggest issue was with barrel weight and stock length which the cricket takes care of.
I am in the same boat as you my oldest is 4 years and 4 months old now. The idea of a BB/pellet gun to learn safet gun handling then up to a single shot bolt gun or break action single shot .22 seems like a good idea. I have looked at the the cricket, and while cute, I was un-impressed. I was at my local shop last week and they had a Mini-bolt in there. It seemed well made the fiber optic sights seemed easy to pick up. I will be going that route when the time comes.
My brother’s 10 year old had been shooting BB guns for years and since he got started late he is going to go to a single shot .22 youth H&R this October. (Which uncle Longhunter is going to engrave for him;))
I am ashamed to admit it, but ruger is making some sub-par guns. But as far as the comment, .22 is only good up to 25 meters? I shoot my .22 twice a week at distances from 50-200+ meters with good ease. I hear that talk alot at gun stores. I belive it to be a matter of opinion.
Once they can handle that safely, we’ll move on to bigger and better.