A ? for dad's out there.

[Flintlock]

I learned on my Grandfathers Remington Model 12 pump 22 that he bought new back in the 20's. It's the same gun my Dad learned to shoot on, and it's going to be the same gun my kids will learn to shoot on.

If I were you, I'd look for a good pump action 22.

 

[RCB]

I started at 4, with a Rossi 22 pump. I started shooting often by 5. About 8 I had a pellet rifle to shoot with during the week and was generally unsupervised about ten or so, with regards to the pellet rifle and kept it in my room. 15 is when I was allowed to keep my own rifle in my room (although we had access to firearms in case of an emergency since I was probably ten or so).

But,we were raised with guns from the start, so it's hard to say how kids are anymore. A lot of it will depend on whether your children actually believe the things you say. If they doubt your words, then they are more likely to try things out for themselves.

For us, privileges could be taken away for poor responsibility. I had my pocket knife taken away for several months when I was 8 for letting it rust. (had it at school and was cutting on twigs and such without oiling it later... but of course, that's when schools hadn't lost their minds either). The same could apply to bb guns and the like at an earlier age. Poor handling, failure to observe safety practices, etc.

 

[MarkR]

I'm another fan of the Ruger 10/22. I bought my son one for his 13th birthday. He's been shooting mine for a couple of years, along with other guns, but now he has one of his own and loves it!
Nothing wrong with the Marlin either. I also like the Lever Actions, and I have a Henry .22.
Can't go wrong with any of them, the great thing is that you're getting them started!

 

[koenig clone]

i have two boys who both learned to shoot at a young age. a 22 is great. The best lesson they can be taught is that they are not toys. The first time out with each of them we took watermelons and pumpkins, whatever fruit is in season, and we shot it. The damage a bullet does to a piece of fruit sits in their little brains alot more than a hole in a piece of paper. They instantly knew the damage they could cause and I never had any trouble with either of them using a safety of being safe with a gun after that. ( I also shot a pumpkin with my 45. that really drove home the point to them!)

 

[AmericanBob]

my daughter is 4.5 years and i just started her on a pellet gun. the lack of recoil and noise plus the lighter weight (not to mention, it's not an actual firearm) were deciding factors on what to start her on. she loves to shoot it and gets really excited when she makes a good shot. as for starting her on a real gun, she gets to do that when she can hold the 10/22 steady on her own. if i have to help support it, she's not ready. she's very excited about my guns and loves to hold them when ever she can. but she also knows that she MUST ask mommy or daddy for permission and one of us MUST be with her at all times. she definately knows they are not toys. yes they are locked up in a safe and she doesn't know how to get into it but getting her into the practice of always asking first is key to having a child learn firearm safety. and no, i have never told her no any time she has asked.

 

[Hoosier45]

My first was a Marlin 15Y single shot bolt action .22. Perfect first gun. Single shot so I made every shot count. I kinda worry about kids with semi-autos. The mag aspect can make it a little more complicated, plus I always worry accidental shots going off since the gun goes off every time they pull the trigger. Bolt action so it felt like a real gun. I just outgrew it really quick. Still have and I will give it to my son when he is old enough.

I went .22 to .410 to 20 gauge, by then I was ready for anything.

My first handgun was a Ruger MKII. Once I got the handle of that I graduated to a Ruger Blackhawk in .357 that I shot .38's out of until I was ready for the mags.

 

[HICKMAN]

I started with a Daisy BB gun, then a 177 pellet gun, 22 single shot, single shot 20 gauge, then moved up as I got older.

Kinda did the same with my kids.... if you want to skip the air rifles, those .22 crickets or a 10/22 would be perfect.

 

[PunchPunch]

I started all three of my boys on a Savage single shot 22 youth model. Right size and helped teach them to aim each shot and not just blast away. I think I paid 60 bucks at a gun show for it.

 

[Mr. Habib]

My oldest 2 daughters started out with a Ruger .22 pistol when they were about 12. My youngest got her own Cricket rifle when she turned 5.

 

[CountryBoy19]

I learned on a Remington .22 lr bolt gun.

I would recommend a bolt gun because it helps teach them how to go slow and take their time on each shot.

But if you're dead set on a semi-auto, I would say the Ruger 10/22 is way ahead of the Marlin Model 60. The 10/22 will last your lifetime and the lifetime of your children. The same can't be said about the Marlin, it is a gun that will wear out and require lots of maintenance and parts the longer it lives. I've seen LOTS of .22 rounds go down range, and its always the Marlin (and some of the Remington autos) that are having troubles. The 10/22 has the occasional jam just like any .22, but by far it beats the others. But thats just my

 

[Huzrjim]

I started on a Steven's 12ga double barrel shotgun at the age of 10...probably not the best choice.

I concur with all the recommendations about .22 for rifles, especially agree with starting on bolt actions to learn shooting and marksmanship first.

 

[rlynch25]

I started both of my sons on a Marlin Mdl 60. This was done when they were 7-8 years old. Each child is different so "when" is subject to their personality and character. They were both hunting with 20 gauge by age 12.

 

[WoodWizard]

started my boys out at about 6 with BB guns, at about 10 they want to .22s,
boy do I have stories of those years.
Now I'M starting out my grandkids with BB's at about 6, go figure.