The Russian Mosin Nagant Forum

Brought the family out to my dad's place today for Easter, the stepbrothers family came out as well. (I have two young daughters and he has two younger sons.)

His sons were plinking cans out back with their Daisy lever BB guns. Their dad actively shoots too, usually handguns. We were watching his youngest, about 6 years old, consistently hitting at ~25 yards with no problem. He had never fired a rifle before, I asked his dad if he was interested in him trying out a .22. He thought this was a good time and after rummaging in the basement for a little while we picked out the rifle my younger brother learned with, a Daisy 2202 -- Yes, Daisy did make a .22LR -- http://i1130.photobucket.com/albums/m52 ... 202002.jpg

Turns out his son was quite the shot, hit the target every time, no flinching whatsoever. Looks like the dad will definitely be taking him to the range now.

...I also brought out a T-53 for his dad to play with. He had heard about Mosins and was actually a bit worried about the recoil and was kind of wincing while taking the first shot. The look on his face afterwards was priceless though, massive grin while saying how awesome the thing was. He shot a nice tight group at 50 yards. I have a feeling he'll be swinging by Gander Mountain sometime soon...

Hopefully my daughters will show some interest when they get a little older. (I don't think I'd mind selling it to them with a 10/22 in a pink stock if that's what it takes. )

sounds like a great day!!

Hey, you just never know who is a good shot and who is not, until they get out to the range a few times. I had one female in the family that was totally "anti-gun" and what you would call a "girly girl", among a family of females/males who were extremely "pro-gun/hunters". With her pedicures and nicely painted nails, you would never see her as someone shooting on the range. She married into the family.

One day she decided to come out with her hubby to the range (my brother), and I suggested she start with a .22lr. Taught her the basics of both handguns and rifles, and ended up she was natural....hitting bullseyes immediately at 50 yrds, then 100yrds. I was really impressed, taught her some finer points, but teased her a bit to get her to shoot something more (heck, I saw her talent, and knew she could do better), and she took to 20 gauge shotgun and started hitting multiple clays out of the air. She liked it so much that she took to shooting our high powered rifles the same day and hitting 100yrd targets with ease.

She now shoots in competitions. I'm just saying that you have no idea who will be a really good with a firearm and who will not. When you find that person who has somewhat of an interests in firearms, encourage them, teach them the best you can! You may turn someone who is initially "anti-gun" simply because they don't know anything, into someone who does a complete 180 and is now a competition shooter.

I've had success at this with 4 female friends, 3 family females, and 3 male friends, after just bringing them to the range. You just never know, and honestly, the people who you know that are "anti-gun" or are "sitting on the fence" are pretty much people who have formed an opinion but yet have never shot a gun. Kinda silly - forming an opinion that you have no real knowledge of - I've pointed this out, given the invite, and have "switched them over" very quickly. All of them are now carry permit holders.

Yes. Yes. Yes! I totally agree. I love this thread. This is how the love for shooting grows. Take someone shooting. Watch their faces. Totally excited faces everytime.

Fun times! I tried convincing my wife I should bring the Mosin to my in laws. She wouldn't get on board....next year

outdooraddict wrote:Fun times! I tried convincing my wife I should bring the Mosin to my in laws. She wouldn't get on board....next year

Maybe she was concerned with how you would use it. Just kidding of course, I miss my in-laws and most of us get along well with them

Ironnewt wrote:

outdooraddict wrote:Fun times! I tried convincing my wife I should bring the Mosin to my in laws. She wouldn't get on board....next year

Maybe she was concerned with how you would use it. Just kidding of course, I miss my in-laws and most of us get along well with them

LOL, I just figured it would be a good way to get a few people out of a cramped house! My biggest concern would be if she got a hold of it ;)

Everybody I know is into guns one way or another, active duty or ex military, current,or retired Law Enforcement, hunters, target shooters, collectors, male, female, kids, there are no anti gun people in the circles I move in.

what a great post. I also believe in teaching everyone gun safety and give them a chance to shoot. My wife has been a slow one to come around but now likes to shoot .22 rifles. My wife made her first gun purchase when I found a .22 lr in a pawn shop but didn't have my drivers license with me ( posted in small arms section--Mossberg with stock splices ) she now calls this her gun.

Good to hear! Some of my favorite time is spent with my eldest son at the club/range. A week or so ago, I shot skeet for the first time - fun! (My youngest son has only shot once, a S&W .45 - he's not as 'into' guns as myself and the oldest son.)

, synack! Teach them right when they are young, and they'll enjoy it for life! That's why I am a 4-H Shooting Sports Leader. We just had our first practice Saturday, and there's nothing better than seeing the smiles on their faces when they start putting it together, or like Vad321's post, are a natural to begin with.