Children and pistols/shooting sports

[brownman]

So I just had a baby girl in April, I'm guessing 4 months old is too young to introduce her, damn So my question is, when did you guys/gals introduce your children to guns and or the shooting sports. I know I cant wait, I'm guessing I got about 5 years-ish to go. Maybe I'll get her a Ruger mkIII or better yet that 1911 I"ve always wanted, oh yeah dont forget the .22 conversion kit, and just make sure they all run reliably and are up to snuff Well give me your thoughts and feedback. This ought a be a good one here, everyone's always preaching how we gotta get the youth involved so let me know...
Brownman

[Former_Marine99]

I started mind shooting at about four. I think I was about the same age. The girls started older, but thats because they were older when I first had the chance to teach em.

[jcabin]

My friend bought my daughter a pink crickett single shot 22 for her first christmas last year. It has a rear peep hole sight and it's pretty darn accurate. I'm in the same boat as you, sucks we have to wait. I'm thinking around 5 if she is mature enough to handle it.

[thebearpack]

I started showing & explaining guns to my boy at 4. Now he's 6 and although I trust him to be around firearms I still haven't taken him to the range, mainly because I don't feel he's ready that yet. I think every kid matures differently so you'll have to judge for yourself when your little ones are ready for each step. Don't rush it, but also don't listen to strangers who try to tell you they're too young. It has to be your call ultimately.

[sksmith75]

It doesn't have to start with shooting. Some of my earliest childhood memories involve my dad coming home from hunting and watching him clean the shotgun. That was where my firearm safety training began. He'd talk about the hunt and the shotgun and how it was to be handled safely. I still love the smell of Hoppe's, reminds me of when I was a little kid.

[Former_Marine99]

I started showing & explaining guns to my boy at 4. Now he's 6 and although I trust him to be around firearms I still haven't taken him to the range, mainly because I don't feel he's ready that yet. I think every kid matures differently so you'll have to judge for yourself when your little ones are ready for each step. Don't rush it, but also don't listen to strangers who try to tell you they're too young. It has to be your call ultimately.

+1 on this.

[WVBob]

Love the smell of Hoppe's. I started at about 4 when my Dad was showing my older brother who was 7. I did not get to shoot until I was about 7. I started my son on a BB gun at 6, .22 at 9 and a 20ga at 12. The grand kids started much younger because I got soft.

[jcabin]

Alot of people hate this guy but I think he's normally spot on. Interestingly enough he just made this video on children and guns.

[Mity2]

I'm planning to introduce my baby girl at around age 5(she is due Dec.4).
I'm planning to start her with single shot 22 - since i have single shot youth .22 made by keystone firearm.
I also have 16" carbine barrel and youth stock for my 10/22 that I can use for later year.

I'm not planning to introduce her to pistol shooting until about 10 or so.
I have 2 ruger MKIII with skinny barrel for that reason.

[mike_yorkPA]

i taught my now 5 year old cousin to shoot, i started him at 4 with a small pellet gun then a 22. He loved to shoot the 22cal ak, he is now able to tear down and put together an ak by himself im so proud