Teaching kids to shoot?

[Kurts86]

Out of curiosity, is learning with iron sights actually value added for a first experience or is it just the idea that’s how it’s been taught for 150 years? It seems like a low powered scope or a red dot eliminates the variable of considering an extra point of alignment. You can always go back and teach that skill later.

Outside of wing shooting and muzzleloaders in CO I’m shooting with a red dot or a scope so why introduce an extra level of complexity for a beginner.

I just got back from Cub Scout camp and between horrible stock ergonomics and iron sights there were plenty of frustrated kids. I came away with the philosophy that adjustable stocks and red dots will be the way forward for my kids to initially learn how to shoot.

 

[Nine Banger]

I just got back from Cub Scout camp and between horrible stock ergonomics and iron sights there were plenty of frustrated kids.

Working on it.

 

[Nine Banger]

Out of curiosity, is learning with iron sights actually value added for a first experience or is it just the idea that’s how it’s been taught for 150 years? It seems like a low powered scope or a red dot eliminates the variable of considering an extra point of alignment. You can always go back and teach that skill later.

I spend more time than most wondering the same.

That post raised my eyebrow but I chose not to respond.

I have fixed 6xs on my boys 223 rifles and when I started them out I printed a screenshot of the reticle out on an 8x11.5" piece of paper to make damn sure we were on the same page of what I expected of them.

When I gave them the BB guns later I made a cardboard set of irons to show them how to line them up. If I'm shooting iron sighted pistols with newbs I'll make the same demonstration by drawing it in the dirt with my toes.

 

[smellslikesteelcase]

Out of curiosity, is learning with iron sights actually value added for a first experience or is it just the idea that’s how it’s been taught for 150 years? It seems like a low powered scope or a red dot eliminates the variable of considering an extra point of alignment. You can always go back and teach that skill later.

Outside of wing shooting and muzzleloaders in CO I’m shooting with a red dot or a scope so why introduce an extra level of complexity for a beginner.

I just got back from Cub Scout camp and between horrible stock ergonomics and iron sights there were plenty of frustrated kids. I came away with the philosophy that adjustable stocks and red dots will be the way forward for my kids to initially learn how to shoot.

I start kids with iron sights because it allows them to focus on their breathing, natural point of aim, trigger control and follow through with less perceivable movement of the target against the sights. Having to rely on two aiming points being aligned will ensure that they are holding the gun properly.

Before starting a kid on iron sights, it’s important to make sure they have a gun that fits and they understand the sight picture and target alignment with the sights they’re using.

Start them with Olympic style aperture front and rear sights on round paper bullseyes. The idea of aligning the circle inside of the circle inside of the circle is easy enough for third graders to understand and execute on.

 

[digger]

Make it fun. Oh did I mention have fun