As an avid outdoorsman, I’ve spent countless hours honing my shooting skills over the past decades, originally taught by my father. Now, as a mother to two young daughters, I am embarking on a special journey – teaching them how to safely and successfully do the same. Recently, I was able to take my oldest daughter into the field to shoot a Ruger 10/22 Carbine rifle for the first time.
The rifle came with a 40-inch soft carry case, which made it very convenient for transport and storage.
My daughter is no stranger to hunting. I took her on her first dove hunt at around 10 months old, and her dad introduced her to the world of shooting with a bright pink BB gun that she loves. With that, I was excited to help her transition to a proper firearm, and do so safely and confidently. At under 4.5 pounds and with an 18.5-inch barrel, this is a great size for a youth hunter to learn with and build confidence. She loved the unique Go Wild Camo design, too!
To quote my girl, “Is this what I’ll shoot the deers with?” She’s ready to get out there!
Before the excitement began, though and before we even stepped foot on the range, instilling the importance of firearm safety was and is always paramount. Just as I was taught, I believe that creating a responsible shooter begins with our first discussions at home, so we covered a few basics while unboxing the Ruger. She is already familiar with them from shooting her BB gun, but repetition is key, and there’s no such thing as being too safe when it comes to firearms.
As always, we started with the basics and assume every gun is loaded at all times. We carefully reiterated what constitutes a safe direction, never pointing the gun at anything we do not intend to shoot, and being conscious of where others are around us. I emphasized that her trigger finger should rest alongside the rifle’s receiver until she is ready to shoot, helping her build an instinctual habit that enhances safety. The Ruger isn’t cumbersome but an easily manageable size for her, so holding it in an appropriate way was easy for her small arms.
Once at the range, we practiced loading the magazine a few times so she could get the hang of it. The detachable 10-round magazine was easy to release and re-mount, which made for a smooth transition each time we loaded the rifle. I also like that the push-button manual safety is in front of the trigger guard, toward the barrel. With the smaller hands of a novice shooter around the grip and near the trigger, this felt like one more layer of protection to have to sort of reach to turn the safety off.
Finally, it was time to actually sit down and fire the Ruger! My daughter’s excitement was palpable.
I made sure she was stable and comfortable at the bench with a clear line of sight to the target. We went through the basics of the shot process, step by step – from aligning the front and rear sights to taking a deep breath and applying a steady, gradual pressure on the trigger.
Boom! She pulled that trigger the first time with ease, minimal sound and essentially zero recoil. Her first shot didn’t hit the target, but that most certainly did not damper her spirit. With a few more practice shots, she was able to hit the target several times! The 10/22’s smooth semi-automatic cycling made it easy for a beginner shooter.
Not too shabby for a six-year old’s first time with this rifle!
My daughter had so much fun learning to shoot this Ruger 10/22, and I truly had even more fun teaching her how to do it. I felt such a sense of pride knowing how proud she felt after having hit the target several times. By approaching firearm training with patience, safety and enthusiasm, I hope to instill a lifelong appreciation for the outdoors and responsible shooting. With such an easy, straightforward firearm that I know will be reliable for years to come, we’re able to set the foundation that will lead to a lifetime of adventures in the field.
Learn more about the Ruger 10/22 Carbine rifle. MSRP: $439
Hollis Lumpkin writes that she is a "simple girl living in the Lowcountry of South Carolina, but I happen to have a great love for the outdoors, particularly hunting and fishing." She is a duck-hunting freak. Hollis pens an exclusive version of "The Bright Side of the Road," for The WON. View all posts by Hollis Lumpkin
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