Getting my youngster started in the shooting sports.

[Brett]

I'm into cartridge firearms now but like many got my start with a Daisy bb gun when I was a kid.  I spent hours on end in the basement of my parents house shooting into a homemade trap. I don't recall the model but it had an aperture rear site, hooded front site cocked with a lever that was part of the trigger guard (looked very much like a Winchester lever rifle) and had real wooden stocks.  Yeh, we're talking 35 years ago before bb guns were made out of plastic.

Anyway, enough of the cruise down memory lane, here is my question. I would like to teach my 5 1/2 year old daughter responsible gun handling and get her started in shooting.  I could teach her with a single shot .22 but thought it would be less expensive and afford more opportunities for us to shoot in our own back yard if I get her a pellet gun.  From perusing the post on this site it seems that todays $25 department store Daisy ,Crossman, etc's may be a waste of money.  What gun would you guys recommend.  I hate to spend as much or more for a pellet gun as I have for my "powder burners".  

Thanks for any advise you guys can give.

[PA-Joe]

Check your local town codes before setting up a range in the back yard. Out here most towns prohibit open shooting even with airguns. Also remember to use the safety gear. Glasses in particular. BB's tend to bounce back at you!

[Brett]

Check your local town codes before setting up a range in the back yard. Out here most towns prohibit open shooting even with airguns. Also remember to use the safety gear. Glasses in particular. BB's tend to bounce back at you!

Thanks for the words of caution Joe....  I live out in the sticks on two acres surrounded by beanfields down here in North Carolina, so the backyard range is not a problem.   I'm looking for a pellet gun not a bb gun for just the reason you stated.

[mjfa]

That is great, the only problem with pellet guns is that most of them won't fit a small kid (length of pull) and require a cocking effort beyond the kid's capability.  Anyway you may check the Beeman R7 and the Diana 24

[sherpa]

do a search for Daisy there are some that your child could use, not too much money. i hope this helps.

[lilabner]

They make a lever action BB gun with peep sight which they call the most accurate BB gun available. I don't know about that, but I have a couple of Daisy pellet guns and they are very accurate for the money.  You'll probably have to cut the stock but save the pieces and you can lengthen it gradually by replacing them one at a time. You will have more time to spend shooting with her if you can shoot in your basement, garage or back yard.

[Mauser]

I don't know how much you want to spend, but I'm teaching my 9 year old son on a Beeman R7 and it is going great!  The R7, while a little long, is easy for him to cock, load, and shoot.

[Questor]

Get the daisy, then spend a little extra money when it comes time to buy a 22 by getting a CZ scout, and get the optional 5 round magazine (it comes with a dummy magazine that makes it a single-shot.) You will not find a finer .22.

[Brett]

Okay stopped by Wally-World today... They had the Daisy Red Rider bb gun for $28 & change.  They also had a Crosman 760b pneumatic bb/pellet gun for a couple of bucks less.  Size and weight of the two are nearly equal.  I'm kind of leaning toward the Crosman for the following reasons: 1) It's capable of shooting pellets as well as bb's. 2) The receiver is groved for scope rings.  3) Max. velocity is twice that of the Daisy.

Anyone have any experience with Crosman's, and the model 760 in particular?   Are there any drawbacks to choosing the 760b over the Red Rider?