Introducing your kids to air rifles

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Surplus1

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I was just wondering at what age did you all first let your kids use air rifles under close supervision? I know every kid is different and maturity is more of a factor then age. I'm just trying to get an idea of when I could start with my son
 
I started letting my daughter use a break barrel air rifle at 9, she can't #### the rifle by herself so I do that for her. After demonstrating proper muzzle control, I bought her a CO2 BB pistol for her birthday. She is supervised when she uses that as well.
 
As soon as they could hold one. In our case, about 5 or 6 years old. Daisy "Buck" BB gun, safety glasses, pop can at close range on the grass, nothing hard within 100 yards past it. ( I had to #### it) At that age, there is lots of curiosity, but it often only takes 2-3 shots to satisfy it. lol My kids are 11/14/17 now and the two older ones still shoot with me sometimes, and I don't think the 17 year old knows how to miss hand-thrown clays with a 12ga. My 14 year old has her FSC/Hunter's safety course and holds a hunter's apprentice license. Proud dad.

Hint: balloons pinned to the ground with a stick make pretty exciting targets for kids. I used to keep a couple of bags of dollar-store balloons in my ammo box for that purpose alone.
 
My oldest girl is almost 8 and I got her her first Daisy BB gun this summer. We're having a lot of fun in the backyard with Firebird flash and smoke targets.
 
My son is going to be 5 in September. He takes firearms books to bed with him for late night browsing. He defiantly has the size and strength to control a break action air rifle. We live in a rural area and the neighbours are more likely to come over and join in then give any trouble. I think this weekend I will take him in the backyard and try the balloons with him.
 
My Dad used to believe air guns and 22's were too dangerous - people tended to view them as toys. I was only allowed to use a 410. There was some wisdom in his thinking.
 
Son shoots an airsoft on his own at 8 in the backyard. Recently got an air rifle but unable to break it, so that's Dad's job but I'm supervising anyway. Its actually easier for him to shoot my Savage bolt action .22 (use a lot of quiet sub sonic for this) because he can do it himself. 6 year old daughter watches and occasionally takes a turn. Both have been to the range with me.

Daughter would sit in the stall beside me (always empty range during weekdays) and draw targets with crayons. We would hang them up together and then Id shoot them. She seemed to be OK with it.

I bought the boy a Mossberg Mini Bantam in .410 but its too much. He is on the small side. No shortage of people that disagree with my choices but I manage to get over it. Have fun with your kids!
 
I already talked to mom and him about it. All he could say was DAD THIS IS GOING TO BE EPIC! I think he may be a little excited. Sunday is the day we are going to try it. I will keep you all updated
 
My kids started with air guns at 8, rimfire at 9 once they could show me proper safe handling of the airguns. Daughter is now 15 and her favorite to shoot is my 1911A1. ( I think she can out shoot me lol ) I agree with the statement above about balloons. The kids LOVE shooting balloons wth the BB Guns. Kinda tedious gettin them set up, but worth it for the fun the kids have.
 
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