xmas gift ideas for 9 year old

jfh

hi all,
i want to get my nephew something suitable for christmas, i've no idea about airsoft but he's crazy on shooting targets etc. anyone recommend a suitable gun for a 9 year old, was going to get a magazine subscription but reckon i'd buy a gun for the same amount.
thanks
*mods if this in the wrong place ,please move*

Zomg Okay

As he's only nine, make sure he completely understands that he has to take the airsoft gun seriously. For example, he can't go walking down the road with it slung over his shoulder to show it off to his mates. He shouldn't point the barrel end at himself or any person/animal when it's loaded. When he's shooting targets, he should always have safety goggles and maybe a face mask, in case a BB ricochets.

Honestly, I don't think an airsoft gun is suitable for a nine year old but he might be mature for his age so I'll leave that judgement to you. These things are not toys, though.

whydave

please find the best thing for your nephew link below, It won't cost to much !!
Link

jfh

Zomg Okay wrote: »

As he's only nine, make sure he completely understands that he has to take the airsoft gun seriously. For example, he can't go walking down the road with it slung over his shoulder to show it off to his mates. He shouldn't point the barrel end at himself or any person/animal when it's loaded. When he's shooting targets, he should always have safety goggles and maybe a face mask, in case a BB ricochets.

Honestly, I don't think an airsoft gun is suitable for a nine year old but he might be mature for his age so I'll leave that judgement to you. These things are not toys, though.

yes i understand where your coming from, with concerns & he's a careful lad,
we live in the country so he wont be bringing the gun down the street etc.
i might leave it go another year,

jfh

whydave wrote: »

please find the best thing for your nephew link below, It won't cost to much !!
Link

that is indeed a great idea, if we didn't live in a similiar area.

whydave

jfh wrote: »

that is indeed a great idea, if we didn't live in a similiar area.

Okay could try here




Please note all posted in fun, not trying spoil your thread

Inari

Well since you've had the voice of reason, and the humorous (?) reply, I guess now is the time for information:

What is your budget? There are a couple of different types of airsoft gun, and each has their own advantages and disadvantages as well as associated costs etc.

You have:
- Gas Blow Back (GBB)
- Gas Non-Blow Back (NBB)
- Electric/Battery Powered (AEG)
- Spring Powered

GBB's and GBBR (Gas Blow Back Rifles) are the most realistic available, however they all have labour intensive maintenance - you need to be competent in taking them apart (without losing parts), oiling and greasing up the moving parts, lubricating the seals and keeping an eye on things like gas pressure etc. Gas blow back's are arguably the most enjoyable type, but would you feel confident in your nephew's ability to maintain it? If the answer is anything except a resounding "YES!" then move swiftly onward! You're looking around €130-ish

Non-Blow Back gas powered guns are typically pistol-only; they have very little maintenance...next to none in fact. This makes them much more suitable for younger people, as there's less to worry about. It also means that the parents can have control over the gun by keeping the gas themselves, as it will not operate without the gas. The only negative is that non-blow back pistols can have quite a strong trigger pull. These are typically lower cost, and are very easy to use - simply pull the trigger and away you go! You'd be looking at circa €100.

AEG's are battery powered guns; charge up your battery, connect it up and you're able to put BB's downrange to your heart's content These are typically in rifle form, and can be quite hefty...so it depends on the stature of your nephew as to whether or not he'll be able to manage. You'd be looking at approximately €150-ish.

Spring powered guns are available in a myriad of different types, however some of them can be very difficult to load each time, especially the higher powered ones. If your nephew is anything like I was at 9 years old, anything gun shaped and you'll be onto a winner...extra bonus points if it actually fires anything. Springers range from a couple of euro to hundreds, all depending on type and brand!

sharpy2010

Dare I say I but would you not get him a nerf gun?
I have a 10 year old and he has Airsoft guns with me, they are strictly to be used with me under my supervision if he wants to shoot targets or play war with his friends he has his nerf guns

jfh

Inari wrote: »

Well since you've had the voice of reason, and the humorous (?) reply, I guess now is the time for information:

What is your budget? There are a couple of different types of airsoft gun, and each has their own advantages and disadvantages as well as associated costs etc.

You have:
- Gas Blow Back (GBB)
- Gas Non-Blow Back (NBB)
- Electric/Battery Powered (AEG)
- Spring Powered

GBB's and GBBR (Gas Blow Back Rifles) are the most realistic available, however they all have labour intensive maintenance - you need to be competent in taking them apart (without losing parts), oiling and greasing up the moving parts, lubricating the seals and keeping an eye on things like gas pressure etc. Gas blow back's are arguably the most enjoyable type, but would you feel confident in your nephew's ability to maintain it? If the answer is anything except a resounding "YES!" then move swiftly onward! You're looking around €130-ish

Non-Blow Back gas powered guns are typically pistol-only; they have very little maintenance...next to none in fact. This makes them much more suitable for younger people, as there's less to worry about. It also means that the parents can have control over the gun by keeping the gas themselves, as it will not operate without the gas. The only negative is that non-blow back pistols can have quite a strong trigger pull. These are typically lower cost, and are very easy to use - simply pull the trigger and away you go! You'd be looking at circa €100.

AEG's are battery powered guns; charge up your battery, connect it up and you're able to put BB's downrange to your heart's content These are typically in rifle form, and can be quite hefty...so it depends on the stature of your nephew as to whether or not he'll be able to manage. You'd be looking at approximately €150-ish.

Spring powered guns are available in a myriad of different types, however some of them can be very difficult to load each time, especially the higher powered ones. If your nephew is anything like I was at 9 years old, anything gun shaped and you'll be onto a winner...extra bonus points if it actually fires anything. Springers range from a couple of euro to hundreds, all depending on type and brand!

thanks Inari, that's more of an answer than i had hoped to receive, i know very little about it, very informative, i think i'll leave it for a few more years.
i just want to get him something looks the deal but little power.
the non blow back gas seems to be the way to go so,
thanks again

jayod30

jfh wrote: »

i might leave it go another year

I would say that would be the best thing you do, he might be a responsible lad but he'll of course want to show it off to his friends who mightend be as responsible and that's where an accident can occur. Unless you can guarantee he'll have 100% supervision when using it I would def say he's a bit on the young side.

Airsoft guns might seem like toys to some who don't know much about them but under law they're considered anything but toys, something you should really consider.

sharpy I would say has the right idea, my nephew has a right collection of nerf guns and we had right old craic tearing round the house shooting the s**t out of each other the other day!!!:)

T4RGET

jayod30 wrote: »

I would say that would be the best thing you do, he might be a responsible lad but he'll of course want to show it off to his friends who mightend be as responsible and that's where an accident can occur. Unless you can guarantee he'll have 100% supervision when using it I would def say he's a bit on the young side.

Airsoft guns might seem like toys to some who don't know much about them but under law they're considered anything but toys, something you should really consider.

sharpy I would say has the right idea, my nephew has a right collection of nerf guns and we had right old craic tearing round the house shooting the s**t out of each other the other day!!!:)

I could be wrong but they're considered toys more than they're considered guns. (as long as they're under the joule ) The advantage of nerf is that you can play in the house :P

Inari

An RIF is a separate legal entity than toy or firearm, however it has not been defined yet.

RIF's carry there own specific legislation; they cannot be used in public sight, they must fire under 1 joule of energy, and any misuse will be prosecuted as if it were a real firearm.

As a result, legally speaking, I would class it closer to gun than toy to be honest.

PS: Man I miss Nerf guns around the house...picking up the darts fired at you

T4RGET

Inari wrote: »

PS: Man I miss Nerf guns around the house...picking up the darts fired at you

yeah pick them up and fire them back

Gatling

Has the Op checked with the boy's parents regarding giving him RIF for a present ,as for been a decent lad ,as a parent of two id be peeved if some one gifted either of my kids a RIF before consulting with me first saying that most dads would be cool with it mammys tend to be the deal breakers

BostonB

I'd think 9 is a bit young. You might want to run it past the parents first. I would have thought Nerf would be more appropriate. Especially if theres younger siblings to consider.

We've had a blast with these

http://www.toys.ie/Air-Blasters-Range-Master-!122730-prd.aspx?qwSessionID=f2fd44de-b2a0-4d43-b42b-7ea20139b226
http://www.toys.ie/NERF-NStrike-Maverick-!105706-prd.aspx?qwSessionID=7528ab7b-0a20-4edf-9e4b-2d7eea520fba

Which are surprisingly accurate for a nerf. Most of the other ones aren't. The green disc ones are especially inaccurate but seem to a bit softer when they hit.