text: if you are trying to teach safe shooting habits \ni would recomend a regular Co2 powered BB pistol. and preferably one with a metal outer caseing.\n\nfor 2 reasons. \n\nfirst if you are teaching them about guns. then it should be a gun.\nAirsoft guns are usually plastic and fire wither plastic  pellets or 6mm paintballs. this gives the idea to the kid that it is a toy. and that is a disaster waiting to happen. \n\nif they want to get into the game of airsoft (combat battle game much like paintball. i would recoment that they just get directaly into paintball. the paintball markers are more reliable and last longer. and there are more people that play it. \n\na good recomdation for an airsoft gun pretty much anything made by TIPPMAN pnumatics. they make airsoft, paintball, and a variety of other air powered launchers and machines.