Hand-me-down for the kid.

[bk688]

I was thinking about picking up a new rifle/shotgun. Not so much for me, but for my daughter. Maybe I'm putting the cart before the horse here (because shes only three!) but she's getting big.

I figure I'd start her on a bb gun when she truns 5 (may of 2013!) to teach her some safety rules and the laws of exploding coke cans in the back yard. Within a few years of that I want her to be able start shooting my planned hand-me-down (Less of a fight with the ex-wife if she's shooting my gun instead of buying her her own.)

I also want to be able to take her squirrel hunting when shes 8 or 9 as to teach her some skills for biger game.

So what are your suggestions for a good starter gun?

As to the hunging little animals, my local state park only allows shot guns but
that doesnt exlude 22's. I'll just have to drive a bit further.

 

[derekb]

A good, accurate air rifle is definitely a good introduction to safety and basic marksmanship (And I mean a -good- rifle, not a $40 smoothbore BB launcher. Example.)


There's a plethora of great .22 rifles that are right-sized for a child, or adult. If it was my kid, I'd probably avoid a semi-automatic for a first gun, just because I'd feel somewhat better about a single shot/bolt action/lever action from a safety standpoint (Until they've got muzzle control completely internalized, I imagine turning and saying 'Look!' is going to happen once or twice), not to mention that I think they're easier to operate (especially as concerns faulty ammo. Clearing a 10/22 can be a little dodgy sometimes, compared to my 39a, for example.)

All that said? I think it'll be hard to go wrong as long as your child shows any interest in shooting, you buy a rifle with a decent reputation, and you vet that rifle to make sure it won't be frustrating for her.