clayandgame Posted January 18, 2013 Report Share Posted January 18, 2013 Hi to all. I am considering purchasing a 9mm shotgun (garden gun) or a small 410 for my son to have a go with. He is only 6 at present but is more of an 8 year old when it comes to size. He has a monte carlo pretend shotgun which I have been learning him the safety aspects etc with recently and he seems to be learning well and fast with this but he is desperate to actually shoot something himself. Other than an air rifle I was wondering what your thoughts were on the named guns. (any others would be considered) I would probably take him roost shooting or something so he could hopefully get a chance. What do you think? Thanks in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbiep Posted January 19, 2013 Report Share Posted January 19, 2013 In all honesty, I think 6 is too young to be shooting what is a VERY lethal firearm. Keep him on air rifles for now. In reality, I also think that until the age of 10 or so, you should not be live shooting. Target plinking only. Don't grow him up too soon. I appreciate that some people will have issues with what I've written - I fully expect someone to be on saying how they were shooting 12 bores just after leaving the pram, etc. This is just my own opinion. It's partly based on the fact that a child is not deemed (in law) to be capable of understanding what they are doing until the age of 10 - it's called 'the age of criminal responsibility' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jody Posted January 19, 2013 Report Share Posted January 19, 2013 Get him either mate my son has been shooting air guns from 5 years old and younger in my garden he is now 8 and has his own 410 folder (I recommend a folder for safety) he comes clay shooting and pigeon shooting and loves it. I think it's good to get them in to something so they don't just watch tv or play on the computer he loves being out in all weather he come on his first rough shoot with me 2 weeks ago on my friends permission and shot his first rabbit he was so happy he helped skin it and we had it for dinner. He now has his eyes set on a deer but I've said no to that until he is 10-12. Mine has shot a 12b but its to strong and heavy for him. Get a 410 folder have the stock cut to fit him 2" carts and he will be all set mate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sx3 clay breaker Posted January 19, 2013 Report Share Posted January 19, 2013 I had a folder single barrel for my first gun which my dad learned to shoot with and his dad before still have it then I got given a single shot norica bolt action when I was 6 I was shooting a 12 bore by the age of about 8 and was trusted on a pheasant shoot standing on my own but the people round me kept an eye on me if safety's ingrained at an early age it can only be good youngsters feel a repossibility when they have a firearm in there hands and if safety been ingrained they should realise that I would go single barrel for first gun Rgds scott Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silver pigeon 3 Posted January 19, 2013 Report Share Posted January 19, 2013 My eldest is 11 and shoots a 12 with light cartridges and is pretty nifty with it (clays and game), my younger twins are 7 1/2 and have just started with a .410 single barrel Baikal. It has a 26" barrel and i cut the stock down to 11 1/2" Lop, to put the balance back in the hands a bit i put 3oz of lead in the end of the stock. At the minute we go out and put a stake in the ground with a clay on the top and they shoot it, the other day i got hold of two of the firebird clays, you should have seen there faces when it exploded . They are pretty competent at stationary targets now, so we will then move on to simple going away clays and see how it goes. The single barrel is good as it is light and when they have fired the gun is safe, no chance of loading a 2nd cartridge by mistake. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BerettaEELL Posted January 19, 2013 Report Share Posted January 19, 2013 My son regularly shoots, he is 8. A 410s is good but it is not easy hitting clays with them, he is now on a cut down 28bore, hitting clays and loving it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwarrior Posted January 19, 2013 Report Share Posted January 19, 2013 I've used a BSA bolt action to teach my cousins and liked it as I can take the bolt out for dry mounting and dry practise before we moved on to flying clays using a slow hand trap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clayandgame Posted January 20, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2013 Thanks for all your replies. I realise that 6 is a very young age and I too was thinking of leaving it for a few years yet but he seems keen and is proving to be sensible etc with his replica on shoot days. Obviously he will only be allowed to have a go at a few targets to begin and perhaps the odd sitter while roost shooting with myself, but I feel it would hopefully keep him interested in the sport instead of video games etc all of the time. Thanks again to all who replied Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark@mbb Posted January 20, 2013 Report Share Posted January 20, 2013 I have one mate that you can have for the young fella not sure of the make someone gave it to me its a single barrel and is in good condition pm me and i will give you my No Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bakerboy Posted January 20, 2013 Report Share Posted January 20, 2013 (edited) I have one mate that you can have for the young fella not sure of the make someone gave it to me its a single barrel and is in good condition pm me and i will give you my No Mark Great Gesture. Good on you. I have given a few guns away over the years, I always ask that when the time comes they are passed on again FOC to another new shooter etc. Edited January 20, 2013 by bakerboy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magman Posted January 20, 2013 Report Share Posted January 20, 2013 To early IMHO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davyo Posted January 20, 2013 Report Share Posted January 20, 2013 (edited) My youngest has just started at 7, on a BSA ultra SE multi, no recoil and very quiet,plus its a very short light gun with no barrel to break.Will keep him on this & possibly move him on to the 410 when he turns 11,with plenty of visits to the clays.Plenty of letting him sit in the hide & watch and learn on pigeon days from now till 11 yrs old. My oldest now 14 (a big lad ) ,now on a 30inch 12g O/U,because of his size and strength he went from 410 to 12g at 12yr old.(if he'd been a small build would of moved him from 410 to20g).But he started using my 12g at the clays and took to it naturally.He has just put in for his FAC. Edited January 20, 2013 by Davyo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
night owl Posted January 20, 2013 Report Share Posted January 20, 2013 Hi clay and game only you will know what mature age your son is so i will no go into that I own a 9mm and 410 altho the 9mm is nice for very close range work i would recomend a 410 with 2inch carts as you have more choose over the catrs and a lot cheaper the 9mm are getting expencive and hard to get hold of Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconFN Posted January 20, 2013 Report Share Posted January 20, 2013 (edited) I've just started my 7 and 9 year olds girls off with a freeby Chinese air rifle (thanks Mart!). It puts out a massive 4 ft/lbs but is perfect for them to shoot targest and learn gun safety etc. My 9 year old has had a go with a friends 410 at some clays (the 7 year old didn't want to try) but to be honest even that was a bit too much at the moment, but it depends on the kid I suppose. Edited January 20, 2013 by FalconFN Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simjakcal Posted January 21, 2013 Report Share Posted January 21, 2013 my lad started last year at the age of 9 with a single barell bolt action 410 with 14g carts,,he had a couple of lessons first on clays at Treetops,didnt do to bad on some of the easyer stands,,then he came on the pigeons/crows with me through last summer,,he hit a few but missed many ! hes now just turned 10,,,,and last saturday whilst out on the pheasant he had a go with my m8s 20bore o/u with 28g carts and loved it,,just the gun was a bit on the big size for him,,,hes now chomping at the bit for a 20 !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderbird Posted January 21, 2013 Report Share Posted January 21, 2013 My son is only just turning five at the moment, however for Christmas I got him a pair of toy shotguns which fire foam darts but load (and eject) just like the real thing using plastic cartridges. It's actually a great training aid for how to handle a shotgun and also to catch the spent cartridges. On Christmas eve I hung a toy pheasant from the ceiling and he spent most of Christmas morning shooting it. Now it's going to be a few years before he goes on anything live, even an air rifle, but I think it's a good start. We never play/shoot each other with the toy shotguns and all the while (even though he may not realise it) I'm teaching him muzzle awareness and stuff like that. It's fun for both of us and also responsible (I think). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vermincinerator Posted January 21, 2013 Report Share Posted January 21, 2013 He now has his eyes set on a deer but I've said no to that until he is 10-12. I hope you dont mean that, your son cant use a rifle in the field until he is 14 and then ONLY if he has a firearms certificate in his own right. Ian. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
12boreblue Posted January 21, 2013 Report Share Posted January 21, 2013 I think that the judgment is yours, if you think he is cabable to understand the safety aspects and rules, then go ahead but nice and slow, a day at a clay shoot on some going away birds might be ideal to start him off. My son is 8 and I have a .410 for him, but he is just not ready yet, I reckon later this year. He just doesn't understand the real danger of guns yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon R Posted January 21, 2013 Report Share Posted January 21, 2013 (edited) My grandson is nearly 7. He has a cut down stock 410 - he has hit 3 clays out of about 40. He helped cut down the stock, re-finished it and is getting a grounding in safety, responsibility and how to behave. I bought him a 20 bore Hatsan auto.He had his first shot with his new gun last Sunday, after I cut down the stock. Hit 1 out of 10. He is young, but he never has a loaded gun without me or his dad stood right next to him. He can't turn round with a loaded gun and keeps his finger off the trigger until it is pointed in the right direction and it is in his shoulder. I see 17 year olds driving cars around, with the reckless abandon of the brain dead. I don't see anyone with them to point out the error of their ways. It's a personal decision whether your lad is old enough or not. Edited January 21, 2013 by Gordon R Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BerettaEELL Posted January 21, 2013 Report Share Posted January 21, 2013 How was the auto 20 bore, I thought about one of these for my 8 year old? Was the Hatsan expensive ( 2nd hand I take it)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bakerboy Posted January 21, 2013 Report Share Posted January 21, 2013 (edited) My grandson is 10 years old and has been shooting for a couple of years. Firstly with a 9mm Garden gun at static targets, he then progressed to a .410, cut down stock had his first pigeons with this gun. He is now on a 28g and 20g, the 20g is still a little heavy for him. The 28g is a great gun for the middling years. When do you move them from one Gauge to another? You only know by being with them, size and strenght being the 2 most important facts, not "your" wish to get them onto a 12g. If they are standing like a Banana, leaning backwards, the gun is either far to long or too heavy. Don't put them off with sore shoulders before they really get started, no one wants to go anywhere when they know it is going to hurt. Edited January 21, 2013 by bakerboy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon R Posted January 21, 2013 Report Share Posted January 21, 2013 I bought the 20 bore second-hand off a top lad on here - "derekbomag". Cost me £200 and I am well pleased. The stock is plastic and I was a bit nervous about cutting it down - they are hollow. I made the cut, took a piece of walnut - 3/4" thick - sanded down to the shape of the inside and epoxied the wood in place. Easy enough to screw on a recoil pad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BerettaEELL Posted January 21, 2013 Report Share Posted January 21, 2013 Wow, maybe a sideline cutting down 20s, I think I will scour the for sale adds. Thanks Gordon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
demonwolf444 Posted January 21, 2013 Report Share Posted January 21, 2013 Im going to be looking for a .410, reasons - bolting rabbits and ferrets, light weight to carry around all day. Reson two my two sisters 13 and 19 are wanting to get in to shooting, i can hardly say no can i? i tried the 19 year old on the 12g and she damn near threw it at me after the shock of the recoil, they are both very small framed, so going to start them with a 410 and some light loads, me older sister was struggeling with the weight of the 12g alone so i think something smaller is for the best. Judge each case as it comes, ages 7-8 ish i took my first shots with a .410 and then didnt fire a gun for years and picked it up age 14 and got a 12g. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brett1985 Posted January 22, 2013 Report Share Posted January 22, 2013 My godson is 9 and has used my baikal single barrel 12 bore. Its had the barrel shortened and stock cut, and using 21g carts. It recoils less than my old 410! And the best thing? It was really cheap! I think theres one for sale now in the trade section for 25 quid... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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