Bringing Kids to Shoot

[FormerAPD]

Wondering if there is an age requirement for guests. I'm a member, and I would like to teach my 7 year old son how to shoot (he'll be 8 in October). He wants to start with sniper rifles, but I've told him that's not gonna happen.


Thanks.

 

[boxerjake77]

At that age id start him off with an Uzi, what could go wrong....

 

[FormerAPD]

At that age id start him off with an Uzi, what could go wrong....

No kidding. He shoots BB guns at Cub Scout camp, and all of a sudden he thinks he's ready for an RPG-7.

 

[Mass Firearms]

The child’s age is only limited by your ability to safely teach them. Some basic rules of thumb are:

- Make sure the child is big enough to hold the firearm correctly.
- Make sure you only load one round at a time until the child is very comfortable with the operation of the firearm.
- When more than one round is loaded in the firearm keep your hands very close to the child’s to prevent any significant muzzle rise.
- Make sure all shots are on paper.
- Make sure the trajectory of the bullets does not cause rounds to hit the ceiling.

I recommend starting with the 10/22 or the Ruger Mark III (be careful with the semi-auto’s). Strangely, I have found that, with proper instruction, young children shoot handguns better than rifles.

If you would like help, we offer training sessions for young children.

 

[KMaurer]

You laugh, but my son who was small for his age was shooting 230gr hardball from my Colt Commander when he was 7. Admittedly, I was hoping the recoil would get him to slow down a bit, but he pretty much ignored it.

Ken

 

[MisterHappy]

New twist on this:

Last night, my son and I were at the Trap range - we had a new shooter, so I took her over to a separate field, and threw some straight-aways so she could get the idea before she jumped into the deep end on the Trap line.

While I was over on the main range, I heard others on the practice field - it was my kid, showing another member's kid how to shoot Trap.

My kid is 13.

Now, admittedly, he's an accomplished Trap shot, and has his NRA Apprentice Instructor Cert, but I thought it was noteworthy.

At least the student could relate to the teacher.....

My point? The "right age" is different for each person.

 

[WainDan]

What age do you folks at Mass Firearms start the training classes for? I've introduced my 9 year old daughter from a bench with a 10/22, but I would definitely like to get her into a class.

 

[Mass Firearms]

We have trained students as young a 7 years old. A one on one session with your 9 year old would likely be very beneficial.

 

[WainDan]

Thanks. I'm gonna look into it!