volfan

Have a ten year old daughter that has expressed interest in going to range with her dad. She saw youtube video of another daughter (11) shooting with her dad and ask me if she could come. Thinking of letting her shoot my .22 to start small simple easy even has laser sight just put red dot on center of target and sqeeze gently. One suggestion from buddy was to only load one or two rounds in magazine first couple of times that we shoot. That we if she does something silly nothing else can happen.

So when I do let her come first time tips suggestions etc...

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JonInNY

That's great. I would stick to one in the chamber and reload each time, until she has a feel for it, and is well versed in safety.

Something you may wish to practice (after the first shot is fired, with one round only in the gun, or even empty is better), is to call her name from behind, and see if she turns with the gun. That's a bad habit of course, and now would be the time to break it, if it happens.

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varob

I learned to shoot my dads 20ga when I was about that age. One shell at a time. I know you'll be nervous, but have fun, and it could be the start of a life long father and daughter activity.

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dukalmighty

First thing is teach her gun safety and to keep her finger off trigger until ready to fire,also to keep the gun pointed down range at all times,and one bullet at a time

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retsupt99

She is certainly old enough to learn about gun safety which is important for both you and her. She my surprize you in how well she can shoot.

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Ape

First off CONGRATS!
My daughter is 10 as well, but she's been shooting since she was 6 or so. Every kid's different in their age of readiness though.
I've had my daughter learning about safety since she was old enough to barely understand. She also worked her way up to real guns through stages of toy guns to BB guns up to the real thing. All the while treating each and every one as a real gun with real dangers.

She wasn't allowed to come shooting with Mom and Dad untill she was able to pass my safety test that I give to anyone considering shooting with me. She passed it the first try since she's been getting it drilled into her since she was old enough to understand.

Once she showed me how safe she was I bought her a real gun of her own. It was a Heritage Rough Rider Heritage Manufacturing - Heritage Manufacturing, Inc and I would highly reccomend it for first timers such as your daughter. A single action pistol in .22 with an external safety makes for an easy and safe gun to learn on. Plus they can step up their game to the mag wheel as they get better and ready for bigger and better.
Her first rifle was a single shot Crickett from Keystone Sporting Arms Crickett Firearms - My First Rifle - Youth Model 22 Rifles - Proudly Made In The USA which is also a great first gun since it's a single shot with extra safety's built in.

Basically what I'm saying is give her a healthy fear of guns and the power they can have and then let her get that big smile and giggle once she get's her first shot off. Once the safety and fun are combined with the irreplaceable memories you'll be making...... you'll wonder why you waited till she was 10.

volfan

Great advice from everyone.. Yes gun safety has to be key... as well as slow and simple I think she can do both.. but think she will now be passing a test/quiz first

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ccw9mm

Some things to consider, at least:

• Single round loaded at a time.
• Start with a simple-to-use rifle. Progress to pistols later. If you don't have a pint-sized .22LR (ie, Ruger 10/22 type), now might be the time to get one.
• Practice gun safety, basic handling. IMO, this should be first done without ammo being anywhere near the gun. Do this until decent handling/safety is apparent.
• Keep it fun, light. Once she realizes how great it can be to excel at something like this, as well as spending time with you, you can pump up the volume with the details beyond the basics, pistols, etc.
• Check the NRA's Eddie The Eagle training materials. Decent, for young 'uns.

Enjoy! She'll be in college (and gone) before you know it, so ... enjoy!

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MinistrMalic

You've gotten good advice, and let me add something: make it fun for her. If you do nothing but scare the holy jeepers out of her she will have a poor time and not want to come back. Keep reminding her that shooting is a lot of fun and in order to enjoy it we have to be safe. It can be dangerous but very rewarding. Then praise her for shooting and make it a fun day...maybe lunch afterward or something that she likes to do a lot.

Enjoy the father-daughter time. It's precious.

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Ram Rod

I agree with start with a rifle and the safety, then progress to pistols later. Bolt action or semi auto 22lr would be great. Pistols for the most part are more complex, and muzzle awareness needs to start with something longer than a five inch barrel, and something that's rather generically accurate with scope or open sights and few manipulations/parts/single safety device. Make the range trip fun and use reactionary targets such as 1 liter plastic pop bottles filled with water for targets, or some clays. You make the first outing the best learning experience and associate it with fun, and everything will be downhill from there. Best wishes on your first trip to the range with your child. It will be priceless I'm sure. Let her know you'll be the first to be proud of her, and that there's a rather extensive list of folks here that will be proud of her as well, and just waiting for that range report!

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