What age to start

[MAX 1]

Hi All

Your thoughts and experience would be greatly appreciated on the subject of how old/young your kidds should be before you introduce them to this wonderfull sport. Took my little lad fishing for the first time today and he had a blast, I know at nearly 5 he will be to young to start shooting. But I would love to know when you started your kidds off.

Thanks for looking, and may I wish you all a very Happy Shooting New Year.

Karl.

[harris hawker]

well my dad started me off shooting at the age of ten. i remember them days when i had my first air rifle ( hw95k ) fine rifle but i have moved on since then ( logun mkII, daystate harrier, and a s410 )

atb harris hawker

[Muddy Gumboots]

Eight to ten, I reckon, depending on the maturity of the child.

[Sniperwolf]

I would say the earlier the better maybe not at the age of 5 but maybe 7 or 8.

The problem isn't the age it's being able to hold the gun, with any luck and determination he could be the next James Huckle

[pugger666]

my little girl is five she can shoot an air-rifle and a catapult.....its quite usual for her to out-fish me as well...then its back to barbies and pink stuff....!

[Hsing-ee]

Eight to ten is about right. They need to have a little strength, the ability to concentrate and some sense of danger.

Its a much better idea to allow them to learn shooting airguns than play those computer games. The discipline and ability to concentrate and control themselves will pay off in later life, while Playstation just rots them physically mentally and morally.

Its the difference between poetry and porn.

Viva le Airgun!

[ChrisW6]

My dad taught me to shoot at the aged of 8, a good age to start...

[I. J.]

My grandson is 6 this year and already I have taken him up to the clubs indoor range. Although he didn't shoot he had a good look round and realised the guns didn't bang loudly as he had expected.
He also 'helps' ( ) me in my gun room (watched like a hawk) so is used to the sight of guns. I dont think you can start gun safety too soon.
At the annual country fair which we help run for the BASC, Introduce The Public To Airguns days, we give one-to-one coaching to any youngster old enough to hold the rifle on the straw bales.

ATB
Ian

[martin bb]

Started my daughter of last year at 8 y/o with an s200 and moved her on to rim-fire this year ive also taken out a family membership at Rivington Riflemen this year where she can shoot in safety and comfort during the winter months.

[MAX 1]

Disscused it with the Wife and we were thinking about 7 or 8.

Thanks for your reply's have a belting evening.
Remember Banana Milkshake is the best thing for a hangover!
Karl.

[Prone Shooter]

My lad started at about 8 years with both pistol and rifle. No problems other than he did (and still does occasionally) get uptight when he missed which was often....bit like me I suppose


Bob

[elmerfud]

my daughter's 13 and had her first go just before xmas, didn't want anything to do with any of that hft lying on the floor nonesense , only the finest ft sitting position would do she even took a shine to steve h's steyr

oh god, what have I started!

[ELMOR FUDD]

My dad and brother started me of with an airrifle (an old diana that my dad still has today in bits in the shed) at the age of 5 and i loved it and then got my first shot with a 410 and 12 bore at 7 with a little help holding the barrels up on the 12 bore .
My sons 5 and hes already started with the airrifles and hes a pretty good shot but i dont think i would start him with the shotguns for another 3 years till hes 8 years old and then i think a little 28 bore is in order of which im looking for now because i think daddy should test it
Have already took him pigeon shooting and he loves it but dont think hes ready to go on to shotguns yet and i think a lot of it is down to the kids realy as i do know some people whos kids started with 12 bores at 6 years old its a bit of a tough one as we all know from the day the youngones are born us dads want them to shoot there and then but its also best just to get them eager and thirsty for it first or you could put them off for life.
Good look with what ever you decide

[I. J.]

Remember Banana Milkshake is the best thing for a hangover!

I find 8 bottles of Newky Brown gives me a hangover the best!

ATB
Ian

[lightning22]

My eldest (10) can control a Falcon FN12 as long as he is sitting, he can shoot a Mk5 Meteor standing.

My youngest (7) is getting to grips with a Webley Junior rifle (need a new barrel for it).

Before this they were both able to use a GAT and SP50 etc.

They both started shooting with Beavers/Cubs, though I've had to teach them safety all over again.

Rich