Took my son to the range for the first time
Well, I took my 9 year old son out shooting for the first time.
Have a nice Sig 522 SWAT Commando that I bought right when he was born betting on the fact he will be a shooter. I also bought him a lifetime NRA membership too but that is another story.
We went to the local outdoor range and did a little bench rest shooting to about 50 yards.
Up to now all he was shooting is nerf, then bb and pellet guns. I have instilled in him the 4 rules of gun safety and even when using a nerf gun I always pointed out trigger discipline etc.
So when he actually got to a real range he wasn’t overwhelmed with a whole bunch of information and could focus on the what was new mainly the environment, specifics of range rules dealing with the loud noise of a variety of guns going of nearby.
Over all he handled it very well.
Start out reviewing the rules and letting him acclimate to the surroundings. I loaded up the rifle and let him shoot it with the minimum of guidance to get a base line target.
Generally, he had trouble stabilizing the rifle and slapping the trigger a bit.
Once we were done we compared the progression of targets and he did remarkably well improving each time we switched targets employing new techniques to hit center.
We didn’t stay too long as I didn’t want any fatigue to infiltrate the enjoyment or progress.
I used a red dot but will use the iron sights next time.
Have a nice Sig 522 SWAT Commando that I bought right when he was born betting on the fact he will be a shooter. I also bought him a lifetime NRA membership too but that is another story.
We went to the local outdoor range and did a little bench rest shooting to about 50 yards.
Up to now all he was shooting is nerf, then bb and pellet guns. I have instilled in him the 4 rules of gun safety and even when using a nerf gun I always pointed out trigger discipline etc.
So when he actually got to a real range he wasn’t overwhelmed with a whole bunch of information and could focus on the what was new mainly the environment, specifics of range rules dealing with the loud noise of a variety of guns going of nearby.
Over all he handled it very well.
Start out reviewing the rules and letting him acclimate to the surroundings. I loaded up the rifle and let him shoot it with the minimum of guidance to get a base line target.
Generally, he had trouble stabilizing the rifle and slapping the trigger a bit.
Once we were done we compared the progression of targets and he did remarkably well improving each time we switched targets employing new techniques to hit center.
We didn’t stay too long as I didn’t want any fatigue to infiltrate the enjoyment or progress.
I used a red dot but will use the iron sights next time.
15
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Congrats!
I am slowly introducing my boys as well, and I think trying not to press too hard or do too much at once is very important.
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I have children from 50 to 21 years old. All five of them have been taught to shoot. 4 out of 5 have their CWP. My 21 year old son will be getting his CWP when the covid BS blows over. Some of the best days of my life have been plinking with my children. I envy you!! Your best days are ahead of you!! 3 -
Thanks!
I also have a 7 year old boy and training him up too.
I’m looking forward to more plinking and move him/them into things like steel challenge and such.
Great community and lots of fun. See how far they want to take the sport.0 -
Why would you switch to iron sights?
Red dots are great for kids.0 -
Yah they are but I want him to learn the basics first. We talked about it and he's on board. Need to learn BUIS! 6 -
Well good for you, today I took my 10 year old grand son to the range but it was the driving range. 
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Good job @Gun eTools 0 -
Sounds like you are doing fine (well...except for the "other story" but then...that is another story)Keep up the good work.
ALL kids should know how to shoot.
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The ‘other story’ just a life time membership to the NRA that I got him when he was born. Took a chance that he would be into firearms before he could even talk! Hopefully, NRA will be around when he gets older. 0 -
Good times.....some of my favorite memories of my sons growing up involved range time....Enjoy every minute of it !!! 0 -
Don’t follow? 0 -
Nine years old seems to be a late start. I have an advantage since I have my own private range. My kids and grand kids started shooting @ 5 or 6 . 0 -
The NRA is a sham.Gun eTools said:Don’t follow?0 -
Mobuck said:Nine years old seems to be a late start. I have an advantage since I have my own private range. My kids and grand kids started shooting @ 5 or 6 .That is great.I started him off with BB and pellet guns to get the hang of using guns safely but with no serious down sides. Also, the wife needed convincing. But he off to the races!
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Yah, it's unfortunate for sure. I have a blog where I post a lot about that very thing and alternatives to support. Hopefully, the NRA can turn themselves around but I'm not holding my breath.mohawk600 said:
The NRA is a sham.Gun eTools said:Don’t follow?0
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