There are several options when it comes to training during the cold winter months. Some people encourage training in the weather to increase your accuracy in less than desirable conditions. However, aside from braving the weather to train outside, or to go to an indoor shooting range, there are other alternatives for getting your trigger time in. Laserlyte offers a huge variety of training systems that you can utilize all in the comfort of your own home. They have the Laserlyte training targets that can show your shot placement, or targets that have a built in shot timer to perfect your quick draw and accuracy. They have targets that you can hang on the wall that will 'ping' like a traditional steel target, and they even have targets that are like my personal favorite that can either be like a set of 3 plinking cans that actually fall over when shot, or their new and improved version that 'rumbles' when it is hit and rotates to challenge your next shot! Laserlyte offers the ability to either train with a 'training pistol' or you can order the 'Universal Laser Trainer' and place it in your personal firearm to get the practice in without having even fired a shot! 
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Another option that I am growing even more fond of is the MantisX Training system. Watch it in action here https://youtu.be/njgAvFOAtBQ
This system is great because it gives you real time critique on exactly what you're doing wrong, and examples on how you can improve it! It is specific and detailed and I love it! To test one out for yourself, stop by the store and check out our display!
These are just a couple of things you can do to train when it's cold out... What do you like to do to train when the weather isn't 'ideal'? Give us your suggestions!

Personally, I believe that whatever age you (as the parent) feel that your child can safely and responsibly handle a weapon (with your supervision), is a good method in which to judge for when they're ready. Of course each child is different, I've seen kids start as young as 3, but as a generally good rule of thumb I would say that around 7 years old would be a good year to start introducing them to the shooting world and all the greatness it has to offer.
     There are plenty of good options on the market for youth firearms; some being the Ruger 10/22 in 22lr, the Smith & Wesson M&P15-22 22lr, the Keystone Crickett 22lr or even a 410GA youth shotgun from Pointer or Winchester. Keep in mind that, much like us, each individual child will be different from the next, also, similar to us, they will have different body types, strengths, weaknesses, likes and dislikes, so (when possible), you should try your best to get a firearm that is comfortable to handle for them and compliments them well as a shooter. It's also best to evaluate different platform types (rifles, shotguns, pistols etc.) and the different sizes of each of those platforms...
      We at Springs Armory recommend making your firearm purchase a family affair, so that the child has the opportunity to 'try-on' a couple... Going to pick out their first gun is a milestone that many children will remember their entire life. So please don't hesitate to ask as many questions as you need to feel confident with your purchase. Our staff is always more than happy to assist you. 

The season of giving is coming upon us and a question I get asked often around this time of year is “Is it legal for me to purchase a gun for someone else as a gift?” The short answer to this is YES… but it is not a very cut & dry answer. There are a few things you should be aware of when it comes to ‘gifting’ a firearm to someone. Federally it’s legal to give a gun as a gift to another person, as long as that person is not a prohibited person. Of course, in giving the gift, you must follow all applicable federal laws. So, I am going to give you a couple of popular scenarios to use as a reference;
As a parent, am I permitted to give my minor child that lives with me a firearm? –YES- You can gift a gun to a child. However, they won’t be able to legally take possession of it until they reach legal age. Which is 18 for long guns (rifles/shotguns) and 21 for handguns. They can use the gun with the supervision of an adult and even hunt and compete with firearms as long as they have permission from their parents. In fact, even if your child is of legal age to own a firearm and lives in a different dwelling you can still gift a gun to them as long as you both live in the same state!
*When it comes to gifting a firearm to a family member* “A TRANSFER THAT IS A BONA FIDE GIFT OR LOAN BETWEEN IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBERS, WHICH ARE LIMITED TO SPOUSES, PARENTS, CHILDREN, SIBLINGS, GRANDPARENTS, GRANDCHILDREN, NIECES, NEPHEWS, FIRST COUSINS, AUNTS, AND UNCLES do not legally require a background check to be performed.” HOUSE BILL 13-1229(6)(b) Just remember to be mindful of following other laws, if they are someone that is considered a “prohibited person” (even if they are family), it is ALWAYS illegal to transfer a firearm to them!
I am in the military and I want to give my friend in my home state a gun for Christmas. Since I’m going back home for Christmas can’t I just take the gun with me and give it to him there? -NO- Since you are not residents of the same state, you cannot transfer a gun to him without going through an FFL.
I want to give my boyfriend a gun for his birthday. If I were to bring him in to do the background check and I am the one paying, is it considered a Straw Purchase? – NO- According to an ATF agent I spoke to a few years ago, they said “The ATF doesn’t care who the ‘money man’ is, the part that carries the most importance is that the person who will be taking possession of the firearm is the person that is completing the background check”. -----A straw purchase is when you purchase a firearm on behalf of another person, because either that person is not of age, has a medicinal marijuana license, cannot pass a background check, is a felon, or is otherwise prohibited from owning a firearm.----- This is not giving a gift. Giving a weapon as a gift is NOT a straw purchase.
   You are the real buyer, even if you intend to give the gun to another person. However, if you are planning on ‘gifting’ a gun, Colorado requires that the person acquiring the firearm (giftee), must complete and pass a background check through a Federally Licensed Firearms dealer. This is considered a “Private Party Transfer” and we complete them all the time. So please don’t hesitate to ask us if you need clarification on when this type of transfer is required.

​                                   ***Best way to make sure you’re not breaking the law…***
Although I know some people despise giving “Gift Cards” as a gift, it is actually the safest bet when it comes to firearms. That way the receiver can purchase EXACTLY what they want and they’re the one completing the background check, so there is no concern that you may be inadvertently breaking the law. These were just a couple of popular examples, but it definitely doesn’t cover EVERY scenario, so if you have any questions at all, please feel free to ask us, that’s what we are here for!  

​​"Personally, I absolutely love pistols with a Red dot. Shooting (aiming in particular) with an RMR can make life a lot easier. Instead of having to line up both a rear and front sight, you only have to worry about placing that dot on your intended target and pulling the trigger. Despite popular belief, using a 'Red Dot' is not cheating. If you're only familiar with shooting with standard iron sights, it is definitely recommended to do both live, and dry-fire practice to get used to shooting with a red dot. Also, if you can't shoot well in the first place, a Red dot won't make you magically better at shooting.
My personal favorite Red dot at the moment is the Trijicon RMR 07 Type 2. I have been running one on my Glock 19G4 for a little over a year now and I absolutely love it! More affordable options I'm also a fan of are the Holoson 507C and the Burris Fast Fire 3 (Both Available at Springs Armory by the way)."