Christmas BB Gun

MilesTeg

MilesTeg

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Well I'm still on the hunt. I can't find anything I can commit to. I'm stuck between a few different points.

BB gun or Airsoft? I like the safety aspect of airsoft. But Amazon doesn't appear to allow them shipped to NY?:fuac:

If I go with the airsoft it appears like I will have to either settle with a spring like a BB gun (hard to operate). I do like the idea of the electric offerings. But it seems like so many of them are geared towards the MSR style gun. I was hoping to start him on a more traditional style.

For the BB gun offerings I did find some rifles that take gas CO2 cartridges, which seemed cool. I do like the fact if I do pickup a pump action it acts like another level of safety. But like others have said sitting there pumping it for him will get old fast. I did have the thought driving in to work today that dad might have my old rifle. So maybe I'll see if it still works and see if he's interested at all in it.

It also crossed my mind that maybe pick up a laser tag set for the family. Let me know if anyone has any experience with these.

Thanks again for everyone's input.
 
Glenn B

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Whether to tough for him or not, I strongly recommend a manual cocking BB rifle. They are inherently safer than a CO2 powered BB gun. Think about long and hard because w"hat is the most important issue here - I think safety. You can cock the gun for him and you can teach him to do it with your assistance and he will become ever so happy & proud when he finally can do it himself. Think of that and the bonding while you help him do it - hands on father (or mother) to son (or daughter) teaching. That is how you get the right way going in kids and not by handing him something so easy to do he can do it right away and thus have more of a chance of not learning to do it the best and safest way over a longer and surer to set in set of instructions from dad (or mom).

You will notice I left out the whole idea of an Airsoft. Airsoft it too much like a toy to me; so, I would use a metal BB gun that is closer to a real firearm if I was ultimately intent on teaching my child to shoot real guns. Toys do not translate to danger for most kids; explain and make sure it sinks in that a BB gun is not a toy.

As far as I am/was concerned, the same goes/went for first firearms. I started my daughter and son off with a bolt action rifle. Then only after that was seen to be handled appropriately and well, did they move onto semi-auto rifles and that took quite awhile 9(not a day nor a week nor a month - maybe half a year or more). I made it fun and they each had fun. Lots of folks say their kids would be bored with a bolt action rifle and probably think the same about a mechanical cocking BB gun. That is balderdash, at least it is balderdash if you teach them the right way by doing it the right way yourself and showing them your enthusiasm about teaching them the basics with the basics. In other words keep ot safe & serious but make it fun not only for the child but for you. Moving on to bigger and better things should be a reward for them doing it right with the first tools - it should not be a participation trophy kind of a thing but something earned.

I also look at it this way, any parent who says something like 'a mechanically cocking BB gun is to difficult fore their child to handle' and therefore is going to get the kid a CO2 powered gun, quite possibly is either getting one too soon or is just too plumb lazy to take the time to teach the child how to do it right until the child gets it right himself or herself. You will be missing out on a much better bonding experience doing it the easy way instead of the the better way that takes more time and effort on both your parts.

Good luck with it all.
 
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camper4lyfe

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Glenn B said:
Whether to tough for him or not, I strongly recommend a manual cocking BB rifle. They are inherently safer than a CO2 powered BB gun. Think about long and hard because w"hat is the most important issue here - I think safety. You can cock the gun for him and you can teach him to do it with your assistance and he will become ever so happy & proud when he finally can do it himself. Think of that and the bonding while you help him do it - hands on father (or mother) to son (or daughter) teaching. That is how you get the right way going in kids and not by handing him something so easy to do he can do it right away and thus have more of a chance of not learning to do it the best and safest way over a longer and surer to set in set of instructions from dad (or mom).

You will notice I left out the whole idea of an Airsoft. Airsoft it too much like a toy to me; so, I would use a metal BB gun that is closer to a real firearm if I was ultimately intent on teaching my child to shoot real guns. Toys do not translate to danger for most kids; explain and make sure it sinks in that a BB gun is not a toy.

As far as I am/was concerned, the same goes/went for first firearms. I started my daughter and son off with a bolt action rifle. Then only after that was seen to be handled appropriately and well, did they move onto semi-auto rifles and that took quite awhile 9(not a day nor a week nor a month - maybe half a year or more). I made it fun and they each had fun. Lots of folks say their kids would be bored with a bolt action rifle and probably think the same about a mechanical cocking BB gun. That is balderdash, at least it is balderdash if you teach them the right way by doing it the right way yourself and showing them your enthusiasm about teaching them the basics with the basics. In other words keep ot safe & serious but make it fun not only for the child but for you. Moving on to bigger and better things should be a reward for them doing it right with the first tools - it should not be a participation trophy kind of a thing but something earned.

I also look at it this way, any parent who says something like 'a mechanically cocking BB gun is to difficult fore their child to handle' and therefore is going to get the kid a CO2 powered gun, quite possibly is either getting one too soon or is just too plumb lazy to take the time to teach the child how to do it right until the child gets it right himself or herself. You will be missing out on a much better bonding experience doing it the easy way instead of the the better way that takes more time and effort on both your parts.

Good luck with it all.
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I agree. I also think that having a mechanically cocking bb gun, with IRON sites, creates good shooting habits because you want to make the shot count due to the effort it takes to get ready for the next shot. Build the basics, and then you can upgrade to the "fun" parts, and appreciate them that much more.
 
MilesTeg

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I've never been around the break action style but here are the modern version of the one my and my brother had. Definitely considering it now. Now to find a good indoor target for him to use in the winter time.

www.pyramydair.com

Crosman 760 Pumpmaster | Pyramyd AIR

We've got a great price on the Crosman 760 Pumpmaster. Get a great price and expert advice at Pyramyd for your next outdoor adventure!
www.pyramydair.com www.pyramydair.com
 
Jchrisls

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It's one thing to have a red Ryder with a compass in the stock, but it also needs a thing to tell time.


Cowboy hat, boots and leather gloves with fringe extra.



Ps- are you prepared to call your son a "dead eye"?
It's a requirement......
 
Bustedknees

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Wally World in Oneida had the youth Daisy Buck model in stock. Its almost the same thing i learned on 50 years ago :( .
I still remember holding the stock between my legs to get enough leverage to cock it.. your kid will learn his way too and he'll outgrow it faster tgan you think.
 
camper4lyfe

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Bustedknees said:
Wally World in Oneida had the youth Daisy Buck model in stock. Its almost the same thing i learned on 50 years ago :( .
I still remember holding the stock between my legs to get enough leverage to cock it.. your kid will learn his way too and he'll outgrow it faster tgan you think.
Click to expand...
I still break out my 30 year old Crosman to take out squirrels and mice.
 
218bee

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These might be the best deal going, as far as a quality Airguns and price point. They have a Lothar Walther match barrel, and these things really stack pellets. They come with sling, nice micrometer sights and stock spacers for young shooters. Grooved receiver top should you want to mount a scope. On a whim I got a few of these over the years and they don't disappoint. All three of mine shoot around 500+fps and are a single pump, and they are so accurate they're boring. Maintenance is only a few .10 cent orings, ( these actually come freshly resealed). I would call CMP and see what their purchasing process is, as far as getting one or two of these.



IMG_5458.jpg
 
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MilesTeg

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Well this was the flop gift of Christmas! He opened it up and asked what it was. I told him it was a BB gun and he looked me right in the eye and said I don't want that. HAHAHA Anyways he wanted to watch me shoot it a few times this past weekend. He also carried it around and checked it out the second time. He still is afraid to shoulder it or look down the sights. I'm trying to be pushy, but I'm glad he asks me often to watch me shoot it.

I can tell you after shooting it a few times I think I will be buying a better one for myself to do some shooting in the basement in the winter months.
 
camper4lyfe

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MilesTeg said:
Well this was the flop gift of Christmas! He opened it up and asked what it was. I told him it was a BB gun and he looked me right in the eye and said I don't want that. HAHAHA Anyways he wanted to watch me shoot it a few times this past weekend. He also carried it around and checked it out the second time. He still is afraid to shoulder it or look down the sights. I'm trying to be pushy, but I'm glad he asks me often to watch me shoot it.

I can tell you after shooting it a few times I think I will be buying a better one for myself to do some shooting in the basement in the winter months.
Click to expand...
I was underwhelmed by how little pop the ol' RR has. It couldn't even pop a pop bottle. BUT, it's good for kids, so I'm actually pretty happy with it for that. My 7 year old wants to shoot it every day. The 6 year old couldn't give 2 shits.
 
MilesTeg

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Ya I shot a can with it twice, just to show him. The one hit the rim and barely dented it. The second went through the empty can, but you can tell not by much. I made an indoor target for him to use in the basement. Made it out of 3'x3'x6" box. I lined the back and sides with 1/4" plywood and filled the void with wrapping paper.
 
F

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Plumbers putty is your friend. Stick it to the plywood in a layer and the pellets and bb's don't bounce . . .
 
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