BB or Airsoft for kid

[FrogFire7]

Hey guys, I have two boys: a 4 year old (almost 5) and a 3 year old. They are super interested in my guns, and we go over gun safety every time there is a gun out of the safe, which is pretty regularly. Thinking about how to introduce my oldest to shooting.

My wife isn't comfortable with him shooting a real gun yet. When she is, I think we are going to buy a savage rascal. They seem like they are more user friendly than the crickets.

Anyhow, I was thinking maybe a BB or pellet rifle, or airsoft. Any thoughts?

My thoughts: It would be nice to have one that would be small enough for them to actually shoulder and use sights. Also, I would like it to "feel" like a real gun while shooting... maybe some noise, some rifle movement during firing. I would prefer a functional safety so we can get use to that. I would say nothing semi automatic. I'm way out of the loop with airsoft and only somewhat more familiar with BB/pellet stuff. I guess maybe I'm leaning towards a pellet rifle if it could have a collapsible stock so that they would actually fit it, but I'm open to suggestions!

Edit: this will be strictly a training tool until they are MUCH older, not something they could take out without direct, constant supervision.

 

[joshb]

Look for a quality pellet rifle for serious shooting and a Daisy Red Ryder for fun. Raise ‘em up right!

 

[JASmith]

I do not recommend AirSoft for youngsters learning how to shoot. It is very frequently used for simulated combat against others.

Instead, go with a pellet rifle where the accuracy and power are sufficient support learning good shooting skills AND firearm safety.

They will, of course, want to go with things like AirSoft, but should be a lot older before getting involved with the sports implied by it.

 

[Toolbreaker]

Definitely a Red Ryder. IMO, every little boy should have a Red Ryder for his first BB gun.

 

[FrogFire7]

I do not recommend AirSoft for youngsters learning how to shoot. I is very frequently used for simulated combat against others.

Instead, go with a pellet rifle where the accuracy and power are sufficient support learning good shooting skills AND firearm safety.

They will, of course, want to go with things like AirSoft, but should be a lot older before getting involved with the sports implied by it.

Yeah, I hadn't really thought about the implications of their typical application I guess. They know nothing about that right now, but kids pick stuff up fast. That seems like good advice, thanks!

 

[JASmith]

Definitely a Red Ryder. IMO, every little boy should have a Red Ryder for his first BB gun.

I forgot about the nostalgia factor. I have fond memories of using mine.

We had a pyracantha (firethorn) hedge in our yard and the berries would ferment starting in December. I did not know that back then but was delighted that I could get close enough to get good hit.

The gun was not powerful enough to get rapid kills unless the little bird was hit in the head. Luckily for my future sense of ethical hunting, our Siamese cat discovered that wounded birds were easy to catch and eat. From then on, he would run for the door to follow when I grabbed the BB gun. We made a good team.

Nonetheless, today I would recommend a quality pellet rifle to better develop shooting skills but am happy seeing youngsters using their brand new Red Ryders.

 

[jds holler]

It's likely that their age right now that they won't be able to cock or shoulder even a Red Ryder. With that said, I don't think that air-soft would be bad to teach the shoulder/aim principles at that age. It is very important.

Red Ryder is certainly my favorite option as soon as the little shrimps have long enough arms to lift and shoulder (and strength to safely cock) the gun.

Also the age at which you turn them loose unsupervised, varies with the kid. And this is something that simply must be said ---












HE'LL SHOOT HIS EYE OUT!!!!
jd

 

[FrogFire7]

Yeah, this would absolutely be 100% supervised at all times. I actually would prefer/require something that he couldn't physically load by himself, he is definitely too young for that. I do need something that he can comfortably shoulder and get a good sight picture with.

It doesn't necessarily need to be something that he can hold: I wouldn't mind setting up a bench that he can shoot off of to start out.

 

[skeeljc]

I never had a BB gun or an air rifle. I started shooting with my dad with his Stevens 84C bolt action .22LR in the back yard at around 7 or 8. I got my first .22 when I was 10 years old. I got both of my boys Crossman pump-up air rifles when they were probably 8 years old.

 

[FrogFire7]

I never had a BB gun or an air rifle. I started shooting with my dad with his Stevens 84C bolt action .22LR in the back yard at around 7 or 8. I got my first .22 when I was 10 years old. I got both of my boys Crossman pump-up air rifles when they were probably 8 years old.

Yeah, the boys will be shooting real .22s by then, but I want to get them started earlier practicing safety (first), as well as sight alignment, trigger control, etc.

 

[Steve Blair]

Definitely a Red Ryder. IMO, every little boy should have a Red Ryder for his first BB gun.

They'll shoot their eye out.

 

[pfiori]

Look at the air rifles that are used in the 4-H and CMP Sporter classes, they are decent guns that are not expensive. Then when they are a little older you will be set to introduce them to organized competition.

 

[Oso]

Red Ryder with safety glasses, and pellet rifles are great trainers to teach proper form and focus once the child is large enough to handle rifle. The Savage Rascal is a great introductory rifle. For a bigger kid the CZ 455 or 457 Scout is good trainer to grow into.

Make sure to buy real hearing muffs for the kids when you bring them around any gun (22lr or larger). I watched my brother-in-law try to rationalize that the kids' video game headset was good enough to use while using an AR15... Kids' hearing is so much more sensitive then ours and we tend to forget this.

From a safety perspective - I have learned to avoid getting kids toy guns for them to play with that look and function same as real gun. I am concerned with my boy becoming to familiar with a gun at too early an age and also risk of it being mistaken by stranger as real gun and calling police. Toy pistols get the fluorescent paint color scheme.

I watched my 4 year old twin nephews unzip their dad's gun case and then rack the bolt and squeeze the trigger. By age 6 they were doing this with AR's. YES - Serious safety concern!!! Their toys were exact replicas which taught them how to easily operate the real firearm and gave them a greater level of familiarity and comfort when playing with the real gun...including loading it. There was no level of respect or fear of potential danger.

Hard to teach a fool... had some strong talks with brother-in-law about leaving guns loaded and in in reach of children, gave him a gun safe, and kept hoping nothing bad would happen.

 

[BenPerfected]

When I was about 6-8 yrs old I wanted a BB Gun because another neighborhood friend had one. My Dad offered me a deal, if I wouldn’t get a BB gun he would buy me a shotgun when I was 12 yrs old.
We both won,
Ben

 

[mensajd]

Pneumatic pump gun with pellets and a 22 rifle trap. High end spring-air rifles require too much muscle for young kids. With the pneumatic, you can start with short distances and single strokes. BBs aren't great because of the ricochet potential against a steel trap. I started with BB guns, then pellet guns, then 22WMR, and then 25-06 varmint rifle - starting from grade school through high school. Good times!

 

[cheek9075]

From my experience, dont go with bb gun, to big of a chance of bb coming back at them . pellets guns and still trap is what I done. I dont know the best pellet rifle out there, but I would not recommend the break down rifles for little ones. Mine boys got slap a few times try to load them and they are ruff on scopes. maybe a pump pellet rifle?

 

[dc.fireman]

Look at the air rifles that are used in the 4-H and CMP Sporter classes, they are decent guns that are not expensive. Then when they are a little older you will be set to introduce them to organized competition.

When both of my kids were slightly older, around ages 6, and 8 respectively, I went with one of these rifles, for NRA 4P shooting:
http://champchoice.com/store/Main.aspx?p=ItemDetailOptions&item=T200
http://champchoice.com/store/Main.aspx?p=ItemDetailOptions&item=T200

It is sized appropriately for someone in the 5-10 year old age range. It is probably a little more expensive than what the OP was willing to pay for a starter rifle, but it fits/meets many of the rules & requirements for early youth oriented competition, and it's been a trouble free, educational tool.

If they are truly 'bitten' by the shooting bug, they'll enjoy this for several years, and you won't be breaking the bank on equipment and ammunition, the shooting education they receive from this type of tool is priceless.

 

[Mudeat]

They'll shoot their eye out.

Duh?

 

[mensajd]

Duh?

Humor, I think. "Shoot an eye out" or "running with scissors." A slice of Americana.

 

[FrogFire7]

When both of my kids were slightly older, around ages 6, and 8 respectively, I went with one of these rifles, for NRA 4P shooting:
http://champchoice.com/store/Main.aspx?p=ItemDetailOptions&item=T200

It is sized appropriately for someone in the 5-10 year old age range. It is probably a little more expensive than what the OP was willing to pay for a starter rifle, but it fits/meets many of the rules & requirements for early youth oriented competition, and it's been a trouble free, educational tool.

If they are truly 'bitten' by the shooting bug, they'll enjoy this for several years, and you won't be breaking the bank on equipment and ammunition, the shooting education they receive from this type of tool is priceless.

Thanks for the link! It IS more than I planned to spend, but I don't necessarily mind if it's going to be used for years