At what age should kids learn to shoot/handle a gun?

[PokerPacker]

I avoided that thread because I hate math, I guess I should go look, is it a train wreck and what page does it start on?

its not really a comical train-wreck, but just really intense for something as non-polarizing as mathematics.

though, if I start name-calling, I bet it would get interesting fast

[Never4get#21]

edited told to remove.......

[Skin'Em84]

I shot black powder at 10.

I voted other, it should be when you feel the kid is mature enough to comprehend that you never point a gun at something unless you plan to destroy/kill it.

[Skinz4Life12]

for people who know about guns, is there a significant difference in power between a 9mm and a 10mm?

[dockeryfan]

for people who know about guns, is there a significant difference in power between a 9mm and a 10mm?

Not a thing if you can't hit the target.

[zoony]

for people who know about guns, is there a significant difference in power between a 9mm and a 10mm?

Yes there is. However, don't waste your time with a 10mm, get a .40.

There are essentially two things that determine "power" of a round. 1- caliber and 2- powder charge.

Caliber refers simply to diameter, and is expressed in tenths of an inch, i.e. .45, or for NATO/European rounds, it is expressed in mm. 5.56 or 9mm, etc. Cet. Per., the higher the caliber, the more wallop.

The other factor is the size of the casing, or the amount of powder behind the bullet. For instance, a .44 magnum is a smaller caliber than a .45, but packs a ton more power because the casing is over twice as long. Most rifle rounds range from .22 to 30 caliber... but pack an enormous amount of power because the casing is so long.

I don't have much experience with the 10mm, but iirc it is a slightly longer casing and of course a larger round. The FBI switched to the 10mm in the 1990s I think but ditched it pretty quick because it sucks.

Make sense?

And dockeryfan is right, the most effective gun is the one you feel most comfortable with. Some of the most highly trained special operations forces in the world carry .22 LRs.

....

[Skinz4Life12]

thanks zoony, makes sense to me.

should you only buy a .357 or .44 if its a revolver?

i've shot a .357 revolver on several occasions and I really like it, but would probably want something that can carry more rounds

[zoony]

thanks zoony, makes sense to me.

should you only buy a .357 or .44 if its a revolver?

i've shot a .357 revolver on several occasions and I really like it, but would probably want something that can carry more rounds

they are both traditional revolver rounds. However some arms companies have made semi autos that feed those rounds.

If it were me, I would purchase a semi-auto round if I were buying a semi-auto, and a revolver round if I were purchasing a revolver. Stick to what the original engineers of the round had in mind.

Traditional revolver rounds include .38, .357, .45 LC, .44 Mag

Traditional semi-auto rounds include .380, 9mm, 45ACP, .40, and 10mm

.22LR is pretty common to see in both. Are you in the market to purchase a gun?

[Skinz4Life12]

they are both traditional revolver rounds. However some arms companies have made semi autos that feed those rounds.

If it were me, I would purchase a semi-auto round if I were buying a semi-auto, and a revolver round if I were purchasing a revolver. Stick to what the original engineers of the round had in mind.

Traditional revolver rounds include .38, .357, .45 LC, .44 Mag

Traditional semi-auto rounds include .380, 9mm, 45ACP, .40, and 10mm

.22LR is pretty common to see in both. Are you in the market to purchase a gun?

i might be. my parents just purchased a bunch of land where i could shoot on a regular basis, and when i saw my dad .357 this weekend it renewd my interest in shooting

[zoony]

i might be. my parents just purchased a bunch of land where i could shoot on a regular basis, and when i saw my dad .357 this weekend it renewd my interest in shooting

9mm is a good option because Ammo is plentiful and fairly reasonable.

And if you just want to shoot at ****, .22 target pistols are a ton of fun, and very cheap to shoot. Ruger makes some very nice models.

[Skinz4Life12]

9mm is a good option because Ammo is plentiful and fairly reasonable.

And if you just want to shoot at ****, .22 target pistols are a ton of fun, and very cheap to shoot. Ruger makes some very nice models.

funny you say that, i have a ruger .22 carbine. its a great gun and kind of why i'm looking for a hand gun now.

i would also like to have something for home protection (hopefully never having to use it) which is why i'd prefer something with more stopping power than a 9mm.

[Corcaigh]

Not until they've built their first pipe bomb.

[Thiebear]

as soon as they are capbably of cleaning them better than their rooms when finished.

[Skinz4Life12]

zoony, what do you think about the glock 21?

for the record, i think kids could learn to shoot around 10-12

[Homercles82]

I learned how to shoot a .22 rifle and .22 handgun at the age of 10. My family views it as one of the "rites of passage" so to speak for boys and girls when they turn 10. We are a hunting family and we target shoot for sport/fun. As we grew older we were introduced to higher calibre rifles and shotguns. At the age of 16 my grandfather purchased me a 16 gauge pump shotgun for clay/deer hunting and my father purchased me a single-shot 12 gauge. They are both weapons I hope to pass down to my children just as my father is going to pass down his 30/06 that was given to him by his father. One day I get to pass it down!

Also, to share some advice that my grandfather gave me about purchasing handguns for protection. First, my grandfather is a Marine, who served in all major wars from WWII to Nam. He opened a gun shop in Florida, became a certified CCW trainer, and because of this knows a hell of a lot about guns and protection.

His suggestions were to purchase normal sized handguns. No snub noses, long barrells, or tiny/cute weapons. Purchase a normal handgun. Do not purchase flashy addons like flashlights, laser sights, etc... Why? He had to testify in cases where the lawyers chewed apart the gun owner for purchasing something that was not considered "stock", therefore the intent to hide the weapon, or do more damage than necessary was there maliciously.

He also suggested to not use a .357 for protection. Too strong of a weapon. He went into detail of how a lawyer ripped into the gun owner for purchasing such a high calibre weapon that was only intended to be used in self defense. I forget the exact details but that is the gist.

He suggested a 9MM or .45mm for home protection or concealed carry. He laughs when someone mentions wanting to get a Desert Eagle. They are impractical in a majority of the countries hands.

[dockeryfan]

funny you say that, i have a ruger .22 carbine. its a great gun and kind of why i'm looking for a hand gun now.

i would also like to have something for home protection (hopefully never having to use it) which is why i'd prefer something with more stopping power than a 9mm.

If you want something for home protection, get a shotgun. Hard to miss with a shotgun at close range, and the sound of a shotgun just strikes fear into any burglar in the next room.

[Homercles82]

If you want something for home protection, get a shotgun. Hard to miss with a shotgun at close range, and the sound of a shotgun just strikes fear into any burglar in the next room.

Make sure it is a pump shottie! The sound alone would scare some people off.

[Skinz4Life12]

good call on the shotgun. racking one in the chamber will scare people off like homer said

[dockeryfan]

I learned how to shoot a .22 rifle and .22 handgun at the age of 10.

I think the first time I fired a gun was a pellet gun in the basement with my dad. I was probably 8 and my brother 7. He set up a target range of sorts. Honestly, I never had any curiosity to find his guns as I got older, and even the ones I knew about I never touched. He taught us gun safety, and we never even questioned the lethality of any gun. And once you fire a shotgun, you learn how powerful a gun can be. That didn't happen until I was big enough to handle one.

[Sticksboi05]

No idea. I have shotgun and rifle merit badge. Damn good fun shooting the 20 gauge. Better question is when should kids learn that a weapon should never be used as a weapon except in absolute self-defense?

[HailGreen28]

With supervision, 9-11 is OK. When they earn a license to drive a car, well that's the same darn thing.

[CrypticVillain]

Even though I have been living in the city all of my life, I do go down to a friend of mines land and shoot guns on occasions. First time I shot a gun I was 19. But I think 10-13 is okay. By teaching kids how to use guns properly you kind of diminish their curiosity about them. So about time they get older, a gun is nothing but a tool to them.

[Teller]

Goskins, I think your Dad's approach was absolutely right. Teach firearms safety from the very beginning. Personally, I wouldn't let my kids handle firearms (or any weapon, really) until they were about 10, but that's just me.

When my youngest daughter was born, the guys at work got me a cap-gun shotgun. Even with that toy, when I felt the girls were old enough to play with it, I taught them about not pointing it at anyone, and to always treat it as if it's "loaded." Once, my daughter accidentally swept me with it as I entered the room unexpectedly. She immediately lowered it, and said "sorry, Daddy." It may seem ridiculous to be so careful with a toy when we all played "Army" growning up. But I feel confident that I'll never have a tragic accident involving one of my girls.

[Stew]

I think kids should be exposed to guns, and the dangers of guns, and guns safety around seven or eight. They are still impressionable and teaching them the truth and correct way to handle these tools before the movies and video games and children of the same age who havent been properly trained get to them and expose them to unsafe practices and or beliefs about guns.

Around age ten I would start letting my son or daughter shoot b.b. guns and pellet guns at fixed targets. This gives them a chance to experience firing a weapon, and seeing the results of pulling the trigger, while minimizing potential dangers to the child, myself, pets, property, etc. I would also still be signing them up for hunters safety every fall just so they get used ot the practices being taught. I would also take them with me on hunting trips, however I would not let them come out on the hunt, but stay behind and wait for us to come home with our quarry.

Around theirteen or so, I would start taking my child hunting, and purchase a .22 cal, let them show me proficiency in handling and cleaning before I would let them hunt with me. Then I would teach them the basics and then the finer points of small game hunting and tracking, eventually taking them on their first deer hunting trip, where they would learn how to field dress, and back at the cabin or at home, how to skin an animal and portion it.

This is how I was brought up around weapons, and this is how I want to present guns to my child.

[zoony]

zoony, what do you think about the glock 21?

for the record, i think kids could learn to shoot around 10-12

I don't care for Glocks personally for what I freely admit are stupid reasons. There is no denying their reputation though. Great gun. I just wouldn't have one.

If you want something for home protection, get a shotgun. Hard to miss with a shotgun at close range, and the sound of a shotgun just strikes fear into any burglar in the next room.

absolutely. Back when I used to sell guns everyone coming in looking to buy a handgun for home protection I ended up selling them a shotgun.