My sons first gun

2

224

New member
A couple of weeks ago I took my yougest son (6) to the range for the first time. While he didn't get to shoot he was indeed fascinated. On the way home he repeatedly asked for his own gun. Being the iron willed father that I am I agreed of course !

Having recently changed back up guns (Ruger SP-101 for a Kahr K9) I had some trading capital on hand. On Monday I entered the local gunshop with the SP-101 in hand and left with a new Ruger Bearcat .22LR. Being very familiar with the attention span of small children (I have two more, 17 and 15) I fully expected that he had forgotten all about it. However, when I walked in the house and yelled "Son, I've got something for you." a small voice replied from downstairs "my gun !, my gun !" I then began to comprehend the scope of his interest.

So after school today off to the range we went. Once the required safety lecture was taken care of we started shooting. He did a pretty good job (of course, have you ever heard a parent say different ?). He's not strong enough to cock the gun yet so I had to do it for him. The little Bearcat does fit his hand well though. The one thing that suprised me though was how quickly he learned to load and unload the gun. He watched me do it a few times and was soon asking to unload it. I gave him the pistol and darned if he didn't do it ! Then it was "let me load it dad" and darned if he didn't do that too. I got a kick out of watching those little hands work that cylinder and ejector rod.

I went through the same thing with his older brother and sister. However, they never showed the level of interest he does. Besides, their old enough now that they're involved in all of that "teenager" stuff. Going to the range with dad is shall we say, rather gauche.

As we were leaving the range he looked at me and asked "when can we go again dad?" Music to my ears folks.
 
Keep up the good work. Its great to here your lil on likeing guns,Remeber saftey all the time. We need more young shooters to keep it alive. My son now 18 all ways shoots with me sometime he beats his old man oh well!! I am gald he injoys it as much as I do.
 
Sounds like a good time was had by all. My son did about the same with a Ruger Single Six at age seven or so. I think a DA swingout revolver like the S&W Kit Gun is a little better for very young shooters as its operation and clearing are much more obvious, but it can be done with an SA. My son's real love became airplanes, but he learned how to shoot well and safely, and we still go out together now and then. Time well spent!

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224,
You've got your son off to a great start! Great choice in handguns for what sounds like a great kid. Always leave him wanting more...

Congrats!

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BKs Pistol Pages
 
IT's time well spent. Bought my son his first .22 rifle when he was 12. He and I spend many an afternoon at the range or out and about visiting gun shows and gun shops. Like I said time well spent, enjoy it. I forgot to mention the first time he went shooting with me he was 3 and with a little help fired my 629 .44 Smith.

Happy Shooting :)

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Help Stamp Out Gun Ignorance.



[This message has been edited by loknload (edited February 10, 2000).]
 
Hey 224, I wasn't aware that Ruger was making the Bearcat any longer? Nice little
gun for a beginner!!! :eek:

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

PS: What is your duty weapon? Dept. issue
or personal choice? :)
 
Robert,
Normally I agree concerning the S&W. A local dealer has a pretty nice old Mod. 17 (?) for sale. However, with the six inch barrel it's a bit heavy for my son just yet. Besides I have a Cimmaron model P that is one of my favorite fun guns. Now my son has one "like dads".

loknload,
When my older son was about this age I let him shoot my 1911 for the first time. After he pulled the trigger I had to wipe the black smudges off of his forehead from where the slide had hit him, ooops ! It was a learning experience for us both.

Ala Dan,
Our issue weapon is currently the Glock 21 .45acp. We transitioned from the Sig P220 about a year and a half ago (grrrr). Unfortunately we have to carry the issue weapon on duty. The upside is that we can carry anything we want to off duty, as long as we can qualify with it.
 
I've been keeping my eye out for a used Chipmunk for my son when he's old enough. I like the idea of a gun designed for young shooters. I also like the design principal of a striker too hard for Jr. to operate himself because it ensures an adult will stay involved in the process. My uncle bought a Chipmunk for his grandson, honed the action bedded and lapped the barrel. Says it shoots real good if you can get your finger in the trigger guard. :)
 
224, it's great that you can start with a child so young. Was at the range yesterday and there was a young man (20's) with his dad, shooting a very tricked out Remington 700. (Even had a silencer). Turns out he was the national high power match champion last year, with 497 out of 500 x-ring shots at 600 meters. I suspect he started out shooting at a young age as well.

Dick
 
Great job w/ your son sir!

I know everybody keeps saying it, but drill the safety thing into the little one's head.

My father handed me that same little Ruger Bearcat when I was about 7 yrs old or so. His first lesson was the "Always treat the gun as if it were loaded" lesson. So he checked the revolver to make sure it was empty then handed it to me. I in turn proceeded to point the gun away from dad and at the TV and cocked the revolver!!! BAD BAD THING TO DO.

Dad forcibly grabbed the gun from my hand, and then we proceeded to the "room of judgment" (the study room) for the administration of a quick spanking.

Then dad of course hugged me told me that he loved me and for my own good etc.

YOU KNOW WHAT, Every time I pick up any firearm it automatically is checked to see if it is loaded like an automatic response. If I see someone check it right in front of me and it is handed to my I still always automatically check.
 
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