How do you teach a child to shoot?

[spencer60]

Boys and girls are very different when it comes to shooting.

Boys generally seem to have less problem with recoil than girls of the same age do. I don't know if that's mental or due to physical differences in upper-body strength and configurations, or both, but I've almost always found it to be true.

I would seriously hold off on using any shotgun with the OP's daughter and let her get into shooting with a 22 for at least a year or two. You'll know when she's ready to try a shotgun (or larger rifle) again pretty easily... She'll ask you.

There's no rush to get her started with guns with more recoil. She's 12. She has the time.

 

[drewga11]

Could just be that particular gun. My first shotgun when I was 8 or 9, was a light single shot 20ga. That thing had terrible recoil even with low brass dove loads. I hated that shotgun, but it was "mine" and I loved dove hunting enough that I willing to endure the pain of the recoil. I still hated that gun as an adult because of the recoil.

I would also concur with what others have already said about a youth sized gun and good recoil pad. That will make a huge difference when she is ready to try it again.

 

[GAgunLAWbooklet]

Q: How do you teach a child to shoot?​

A: It's easier to teach them to shoot back than to just SHOOT.
So give that kid a gun, step back a suitable distance, and start putting rounds at their feet! Tell them you won't stop until they pop that balloon that stapled to the tree next to you.

 

[GAgunLAWbooklet]

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[1Zero’DinGrifo]

They sell a nice thick pad at Walmart that reduces 80% felt recoil it’s called limb saver or something to that effect . Haven’t had a single person dislike or ask for it off.