Question about first gun for my son.

[Patton]

A single shot .22 or .410 sounds like the best way to go IMO. A good .22 can last a long long time

[mhbaseball]

I still love/use my marlin model 60 today....I would steer clear of a youth gun unless it can be used when get older too. Adult gun he can use now and for years to come

[Txnrog]

Certainly would go ahead with a 22. Your call on the model - just keep in mind that he'll outgrow a single shot within a couple years (if not sooner). I like the idea of a bolt action 22 with a magazine - YOU can always load that as a single-shot till you're comfortable letting him manage more rounds. Not a fan of the 10/22, other semi's or levers as a starter - just too easy for them to loose track of the # of rounds, and not entirely kid friendly on being able to effectively work the gun.

[El Jeffe]

Well I already have two marlin model 60's I got about 10 years ago waiting for when he gets older. They are way to big and heavy for him right know.

[Olddog]

bbgun. much safer for youngun'. can shoot all day, low cost for bb's, don't have to worry about accidentally killing what's behind the target. You can always shoot a 22 with him when you are supervising, but putting the responsibility for safety on a 5 year old is a little too much if something goes wrong. Just my opinion, don't mean it's right.

[BrandonH]

I bought my oldest daughter a .22 Cricket when she turned 4, my youngest just got hers when she turned 5. I based my decision on when I thought they were old enough to understand firearm safety and be responsible enough to have one. My oldest hit that point a year earlier than her little sister.

-Brandon

[Shane]

It depends on the kid and his demeanor and level of responsibility and concentration. 5 can be a great age to start, but some kids aren't ready until they're 20.

I started Zach on BB guns under constant and direct supervision at age 3. I enforced STRICT safety rules and expectations about where the gun is and is NEVER pointed, when it's OK to have it loaded, when it's OK to take the safety off, and all of that. I even made him point his plastic toy guns in safe directions. At 5, he started shooting a .22 and a .410 single shot, again under constant supervision. At 6, he killed 3 deer and a turkey with a .223 single shot.

No matter how responsible they may be at 5 or 6, I wouldn't turn them loose unsupervised with even a BB gun at that age. But it's definitely not too young to be shooting with proper supervision.

[Boss Buck]

X2 with my son Tyler he is 14teen now and owns 6 guns .

[Hart8]

C.B. caps made by CCI would be perfect for that lil' single shot.Easy on the ears too.

[DamonJ]

I would look at this one over the cricket...

http://henryrepeating.com/rifle-minibolt.cfm?CFID=4963244&CFTOKEN=96210509

This is the one my youngest son has... I ordered the scope mount from Henry and will be dropping it off to have it drilled for the mount this week.

My 4 year old can tear the target up with it @ 30 yards...

[KUJays]

My son got his 223 at 5 and started shooting. Shot his 1st deer this year at the age of 7. Mine listens and the gun thing has been a great experience for us.

[texashunter817]

I've got 3 Crickett 22LR's for my 5,6 and 7 year olds. They love them. They are single shot as you know and completely safe with an adult beside them. I grew up shooting from a real young age. Your head is fine...haha. My wife's uncle started and owns Keystone arms. They make the Cricket and the Chipmunk 22's. I think thats the best starter gun out there.