TargetTalk

Pistol Shooting for Youth in Northern New Jersey? I am a mother of a 12 (soon to be 13) year old seventh grade daughter. She has been interested in taking up shooting as a sport, preferably pistol shooting. I have searched, but many places are not near where we live. Can you give us suggestions?
And is shooting alright for a girl? I am not too keen on the idea but i am not saying no either. Thank You.
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There's a girl in my area about 14 now who is making great progress in her 10 metre air pistol scores in competition. A couple of years ago her dad bought her a Hammerli air pistol and took her to his club (he's a firearms guy) in hope that maybe she'd take an interest... rather than leaning the way she was perhaps headed with some friends; which is to say hanging out at the suburban mall and texting a lot, and whatever else kids obsessed with those activities get into. He was surprised to find that she was immediately hooked. I asked him last year if it bugged him having to drive her to different clubs several nights per week to feed her obvious desire to train. Not at all, he was relieved she was doing something positive and would drive anywhere he must to support that. He bought her a Steyr and she's getting used to that now. Every time I see her shoot her enthusiasm and desire for improvement is obvious. So good to see such dedicated effort from young folks!

So while I acknowledge that this is but one example, I would recommend you at least get her a pistol and let her give it a try. And the bonus with AP is that she can probably shoot at home with minimal investment in a backstop and a good trap and some quality targets, a reading light to shine on them if necessary, some pellets and a used air pistol. I'd suggest a lighter model and something easy to fill to get started, so perhaps a CO2 type, and not too expensive to get started so maybe a Tau 7 Junior, something light and small enough that she should have little difficulty holding it in front of her in one hand for 5 to 10 seconds at a time as she acquires her sight picture. Or if you wish to jump into a PCP with air tanks or a pump to fill, then perhaps an Air Arms Alpha Project which is similarly light at the front end. Or browse the for sale ads here and check into the weights and sizes of the various air pistols available. Smaller grips are usually available, though they can cost as much as $250 for a very well made one.

Suggest you contact USA shooting or the NRA and ask about clubs in your area. I'd suggest air pistol is the best way to start.

Rob.

Contact Belita Perz at the International Marksmanship Center. They are a USA Shooting Certified Training Center.

International Marksmanship Center, Inc.
PO Box 6445
Monroe Twp, New Jersey 08831
Training conducted by a team of Certified Coachec
Training sites:

- IMCI @ MonroeSports Center, Monroe, New Jersey
- IMCI @ John Jay College of Criminal Justice, New York City
- Other IMCI locations- please call/email for locations

Contact Info
917-981-7715
Contact: Isabelita (Belita) Perez
Contact Email: internationalpistol@gmail.com
Contact Email: nglitz@optonline.net