teaching a kid to shoot

[eastwoods]

My 11 year old is ready and shot a box of 4-10 shells at doves this year. Got three.

He is right handed and left eye dominant. I'm going to get him a youth model 20 automatic for ducks this year.

Since this will be his first year experience should I teach him to shoot left handed or just to compensate. I know we have discussed this topic, but any opinions will be greatly appreciated.

and what is the best youth 20 auto for the money.

[Dutch Dog]

Well, if you can teach him early enough shooting left handed isn't really that big of an issue. I mean several people bat left handed in baseball who are natural right handers. The other option is to close the left eye and take it out of the picture. This isn't the proper way to do it per the pros, but if it feels more natural to shoot RH vs LH this may be the best option. I have a buddy of mine who I hunt with and he has the same problem. He didn't discover it until about 5 years ago. He uses both eyes to get his distance to compensate for lead, then closes his left eye...and he is DEADLY since figuring out his eye dominance problem, and learning to adjust for it. I hope this helps some.

[Dutch Dog]

Oh and about the youth 20, If you can get your hands on a Remington 1100 or 1187 (whichever) in a youth model that would be best. Maybe you can get a regular one in synthetic, and order an aftermarket youth model stock. Other than that some stock modifications would be the ticket. The best thing about ordering a 2nd stock (aftermarket) is that once he outgrows the youth stock you simply put the regular stock back on and it should fit him at that point.

[Ducks be us]

My boy is 8 and does the same thing with his BBgun. Think im gona get him an eye patch. The wife just picked her up a 20 gauge Mossberg Super Bantam. It has several features for the smaller shooter, and, has interchangable parts as the shooter gets bigger, but, is a pump gun...Finding an auto off the rack that fits a youngun may take a little shopping around, as NONE fit my wife, but, she's a runt Y'all have a nice day!

[Duck$$$]

I have a model 1100 youth that I shot and it is just getting right for my 8 yr old, 9 yr old next week. He has been shooting a Charles Daly youth 20 gauge since last year with good results. I had to trim the stock about an inch or two to get him a good fit. The Daly is ok but will not shoot dirty.

[Delta Hillbilly]

There is currently a post concerning eye dominance on the Waterfowl section. A couple of the posts are really good.

DH

[crowder critter]

it is hard to beat a remington 870 youth but it is a pump gun

[the doctor]

I have of course never been in a situation likel that but i do know how awkward it feels to hold and point a gun left handed (I am right handed and right eye dominant)

My dad was right eye dominat and because of an injury to his arm early in life he learned to shoot everything left handed, even to write left handed...but he was forced, he broke his right arm at about 8 or 9

I would think that early enough you could retrain yourself to shoot any way you wanted but I know I woudl only be successful shooting the way I felt most comfortable holding the gun, even if my dominant eye was opposite

my advice find out which way he feels most comfortable holding pointing and swinging the gun and then retrain the eyes...seems it would be easier to retrain the eyes than the entire upper body...plus you never aim a shotgun always point and shoot

the doc

[stitch]

I am left handed, but right eye dominant. Two years ago I switched from a left handed bow to a right handed bow, it has made a tremendous difference. It was very awkward at first, but now I'm glad I did it. I have tried shooting "righty", but quickly go back to lefty because I just haven't taken the time to practice enough. I believe I would be a better shot righty, because of my dominant eye, but what do I know.......

[GulfCoast]

I am RH and left eye dominant and can shoot pretty well just by "squinting down" my left eye until the right takes over. I have been doing it so long it just happens, I guess. Seriously, I would teach him to shoot left handed, if he is young.

[Greenhead22]

Well I'm RH and left eye dominant and can shoot a little better than GC by just by closing my LE as the stock hits my shoulder.

If shooting right handed is the most comfortable to him, wouldn't switch him. There are some companies today that makes gun sights that block your left eye from taking over when looking at the target, thus forcing the right eye to become dominant. I have uni-dot's on all my guns.

[GulfCoast]

Jeee-ooffff: I will take yer money ANY TIME!

[Greenhead22]

Well, with the way I've been shooting lately I'm not so sure you'd be willing to take me on.

[stitch]

....just wait 'till they land on the water.......

[GulfCoast]

Keep smoking crack, kiddo.