My son's bday and associated 9th bday gift....

[Twisted]

He is one happy boy. He had no idea what I got him or that I even got him anything. His mother and I took him out to dinner, again since we took him and all his siblings out to dinner earlier this week too, then went to have some bday pie with the grandma and grandpa. Finally at 9PM after pie I asked him what he wanted, he ran through the basic 9 year old list, I told him I didn't get him any of that. I think he was ok with that because he had a plate of pie. Made him do the close his eyes thing and brought it in to him. He's pretty stoked. Other grandpa got him a brick of ammo earlier today but told him it was just so he could go shooting with me and use my rifle, he was pretty happy with that, then it all made sense tonight.

And yes, the bipod feet are already dirty because I've been shooting it the last two weeks when he wasn't around.

 

[glassbeaver]

Well played sir. He looks pretty happy.

 

[steveptr]

That looks like one happy kid to me

 

[17874]

Good stuff man, I still remember all the guns a received as gifts from family over the years.

 

[gladiator8us]

Now that is what I call teaching firearm responsibility at a perfect age. Congratulations to your son. I see a future NRA member!

 

[drhcobra]

Got 2 boys that got savage .22's for their first rifle, now I'm getting started with my duaghter. Only trouble is that ammo supply shrinks fast!
Enjoy shooting with your son.

 

[Cornholeo]

That smile is worth a million bucks! I remember getting my guns as a kid and then enjoyed seeing the smiles giving guns to my children. Awesome times ahead and congrats on that smile!

 

[Twisted]

Got 2 boys that got savage .22's for their first rifle, now I'm getting started with my duaghter. Only trouble is that ammo supply shrinks fast!
Enjoy shooting with your son.

I had enough to insure he could shoot all he wanted but when his mother's parents called me cause they heard he was getting a rifle they asked what they could get for it for him. They mentioned ammo or a case and I said either would work, or even a midway card or something. They obviously didn't find any ammo in stores but grandpa had a brick he gave up for the cause plus $20 cash to put towards accessories. My dad provided the scope and rings so all I had to do was acquire the rifle.

Lots of scattered rounds but not bad for his first day really learning to shoot at anything but big steel. He wanted to shoot the steel I have set up and told him he had to put a full magazine (5 rounds) all on a black target and then shoot a bullseye on one of the little black markers. His second magazine was all in the black and then his 3rd try at a black dot yielded the top right dot. Spent some time ringing steel after that. He even put most his tries on a 2" steel plate at 75 yards.

 

[Twisted]

Day 2 and burned up a little more ammo. No reason not to I guess since my Uncle stopped by last night and gave my son a brick of ammo for his bday.

He's getting pretty good. I spent some time tonight hammering on trigger control and he isn't slapping/jerking the trigger any more. Has a nice constant squeeze and decent follow through. I'm trying hard to balance the teaching/harping and letting him enjoy it. Also tried to get him to understand how to use the rear bag properly and the benefits but he doesn't seem to like it. I think it is because he prefers to get the bipod set just right so the thickness of his hand is all he needs back there which works I guess.

He is pretty consistently hitting a 2" steel at 76 yards.

 

[Name Enough]

Good on you - I started shooting at 14 in school. Believe it or not we have a range at our high school in the basement and a kids would bring their rifles to school to shoot. That was 50 years ago and now kids get kicked out of school for the picture of a rifle on their tee shirt.

 

[A Train]

Cool the smiles say it all. I remember when I got my 5 year old his cricket. Had him open the little box of ammo first for effect. Many good times to follow.

 

[M1Amen]

This is such a quintessential American birthday gift. I remember my own father giving me my first bb gun for my birthday when I was 9 and my first shotgun when I was 12. Your son is quite lucky to have a dad not afraid to give him a gun and teach him how to use it.

Have you considered taking your son to one of the Project Appleseed events in your area? It would be a magnificent way to spend a weekend with him and he would take up the skills of shooting quite quickly there.

 

[Twisted]

This is such a quintessential American birthday gift. I remember my own father giving me my first bb gun for my birthday when I was 9 and my first shotgun when I was 12. Your son is quite lucky to have a dad not afraid to give him a gun and teach him how to use it.

Have you considered taking your son to one of the Project Appleseed events in your area? It would be a magnificent way to spend a weekend with him and he would take up the skills of shooting quite quickly there.

I take that as a compliment so thank you. He always hears people tell him how lucky he is but I'm not sure he grasps it at 9 years old just yet. He's a real good kid though, smart, and already learning the value of a buck. He works for grandpa often on the farm to make a few bucks here and there which he saves pretty well. Basically growing up on a farm he's seen enough life and death to appreciate and understand it. He of course doesn't particularly like the death part but when we have a steer or two that he names and such he understands that they will be dinner. We raised him not hiding anything from him, he can watch just about anything he wants on tv or play any "violent" video games because he knows what is right and what is wrong, he knows he can't say the bad words he hears, and he knows it is only ok to run around shooting people on a video game and that the movies are fake. He knows not to touch any of the guns around here or the grandparents house. And he just flat out listens to what he is told, even in school. Never had a less that outstanding report from any teacher. I'm pretty lucky.

Now as far as Project Appleseed, I was just introduced to this concept a few weeks ago and poked around online real quick. I want to learn more about it before committing but sounds like something we'd enjoy. There is one in a couple months I believe real local to us, at a range about 20 minutes away.

 

[Snake-Eyes]

....Now as far as Project Appleseed, I was just introduced to this concept a few weeks ago and poked around online real quick. I want to learn more about it before committing but sounds like something we'd enjoy. There is one in a couple months I believe real local to us, at a range about 20 minutes away.

Go. Don't hesitate. Totally worth it.

My wife and I attended one just this last weekend. We both learned alot. Spent two days at the range together... She was surprised at how much she enjoyed it. I was enjoying watching her shrink those groups and have a good time, too.

It's a very family friendly clinic. They are big on American history and heritage. Marksmanship as the "American" Marital Art. No bipods: only GI slings. Prone, sitting, kneeling, standing. Natural Point of Aim. "Shoot by the Numbers"... Good stuff.

You two will definitely enjoy it.

 

[Twisted]

Go. Don't hesitate. Totally worth it.

My wife and I attended one just this last weekend. We both learned alot. Spent two days at the range together... She was surprised at how much she enjoyed it. I was enjoying watching her shrink those groups and have a good time, too.

It's a very family friendly clinic. They are big on American history and heritage. Marksmanship as the "American" Marital Art. No bipods: only GI slings. Prone, sitting, kneeling, standing. Natural Point of Aim. "Shoot by the Numbers"... Good stuff.

You two will definitely enjoy it.

Definitely sounds like something we'd enjoy. My only concern is that my son doesn't quite have the reach to shoot his rifle unsupported. This weekend I'll see if I can't throw a sling on for him and try to teach him the basics of it and see how it fits him. He might get more from it if we wait a year or so. But sure does sound like a good time. I just don't know if he is ready to shoot positions like that yet so we'll see. Thanks for the input.

 

[M1Amen]

Twisted, PM sent to you. Appleseed is an amazing bonding experience between fathers and sons.