22 target pistol or rifle

[Skellocks]

I am thinking of taking up target shooting, along with my children. Should I choose 22 pistol, or rifle? Perhaps air pistol, or air rifle? Why? I have no experience with any of the above.

[dakota308]

My suggestion is to find a local club and see what they have to offer. If you are new to shooting a program at a local club should have knowledgeable members willing to get you and your children on the correct path. Not every club has junior programs though. You may have to contact a few clubs. To find clubs you can use the NRA https://explore.nra.org/programs/clubs/ website, CMP https://thecmp.org/clubs/search-clubs/ website or the NSSF https://www.wheretoshoot.org/ website.

[40xguy]

start them off in an air pistol. much less problematic regarding legality, cost, and ease of portability.

[alpineboard]

start them off in an air pistol. lot less problematic both legally and cost wise and portability.

Or Air Rifle

[madmax]

Air pistol is one of the hardest pistol disciplines. Difficult for beginners, and not easy to master.

Perhaps it would be better to start the youngsters off with air rifle, either prone and/or benchrest. This way they can achieve results which meet their expectations early on and should be able to produce visible improvements over time. If they become encouraged, they will stay in the sport.

Max.

[rgibson]

Although I don’t know the age of your children my suggestion would be to find an instructor who conducts organized courses which emphasize safety first and then the marksmanship fundamentals. Depending on the amount of independence the children like to exercise, all of you might take the course together and YOU would then have demonstrable experience also. Courses that offer a certificate for successful completion can be a source of pride for children. Start them off with a rifle. Pistol will be easier later after shooting a rifle.

Availability of safe shooting venues might determine whether you start with Air or .22. Also, think about what you will do after initial training to help determine which rifle.

[jimken]

The .22 LR is often best due to low cost and recoil. I generally agree with the other answers. By the way, I recommend a single shot or bolt action with a box magazine. The advantage of a bolt action is that once shot, a repeat shot is not possible without manually working the action.

[Skellocks]

Thank you for all the suggestions. We are all shooting air pistol, now.

[BobGee]

Good on you Skellocks. A family that shoots together, stays together. Why is your wife not involved too?

Bob

[Rover]

Check out the last post on this:

https://targettalk.org/viewtopic.php?p=326459#p326459

It might help you.

https://targettalk.org/viewtopic.php?p=326748#p326748

Same guy, different ad. I bought one for a friend.

[Skellocks]

Good on you Skellocks. A family that shoots together, stays together. Why is your wife not involved too?

Bob

She grew up around shooting. Her dad and brothers competed, and hunted. She says she never had any interest, though, and still does not.

[Husscronie]

22lr rifle, good for young people to get a feel for recoil. It is also easier to get an understanding for the correct sight picture when shooting from a rest.

If you have room to shoot in your house or basement I’d add a cheap air pistol to the mix as well. People, including kids, love shooting air pistol in my basement.