Posted on 02/15/2013 7:08:31 PM PST by San Rafael Blue
Most of you here felt 'that moment' a long time ago, when you were too young to vote, too young even to get behind the wheel. You may not even remember when it happened. My Rite of Passage was today. I went to Big 5 and purchased a 12 gauge shotgun. I actually won't be able to drive my 'new friend' home until later this month, after a background check. Hopefully, there is no evildoer using my full name while commiting their evil deeds. I'm legally clean though, never even been arrested (yet).
I purchased a box of bullets, and a zip-up gun case. When I return for the gun, I'll need to buy a gun lock. Once I have access to the gun, it is likely to lay idle and locked away, until I can take a class at a local firing range for beginner gun handling. Today I was shown how to open and load the shotgun, very simple procedure, thank the Lord. The young man at the counter was patient and respectful. I was glad for that. I already felt foolish for my scant knowledge of firearms. My Dad had two guns back at home. one named Brown Betsy, the other named Black Beauty. Sharing the family home with guns was easy, my sisters and I followed the house rules and just never tampered with them at all. I learned a little while in the Navy, but not much, nothing that was repeated. I made an effort not to let on just how excited I was, that, in itself might raise an eyebrow. Just why is that guy so 'happy' about buying a gun, when he knows so little about them. I played it sort of cool.
As I get older, arthritis has taken me out of my Karate class, till I can pay for private lessons. Otherwise, I would slow the whole class down. (Un-Good!, to make up an expression) I used to love Boxing or Sparring night in Karate. Practicing chokeholds too. Maybe sometime down the line, but not now. What I can do now is to use my sharp vision. I'll look into skeet shooting. So much to learn!
I told the manager he would make even more money if he had a photographer ready to snap a picture of the owner with his or her new gun. I absolutely would have pulled out a few bills and paid for such a momento. It was that much fun.
HEAR,HEAR!!!!!!
I bought a Remington Model 510 single shot .22 when I was 11. It took months to raise the $24.95 with my paper route.
What Did I Buy Today? you ask...I’ll look directly at my receipt and tell you how it’s described there.
Baikal USSG
MP 18/ 12SG
Serial No; 12044895b
I hope that helps.
Yeah, it’s a shame, I buy a gun, can barely describe it.
Oh well, that will change when I start using it, getting used to it. I expect that unfamiliar feeling will completely change.
When I was about 12, my father gave me an over/under that was a .22 on top, 410 shotgun on bottom - so I could learn to shoot both. Super-safe break-action/single-shot.
Did my first target shooting, plinking, and bird-hunting with that wonderful weapon - have no idea who made it or where it went.....
Went to military academy and as it was a full-time ROTC program, learned to be a crack shot with a .22. Later that training translated into a pretty good shot with all calibers.
Had an incredible arsenal until a few years ago when it all was lost in a boat flipping over.........
Glock 22. Bought it right after TARP passed.
My first gun: 1972 @ UM in Ann Arbor. Bought a pre-war 30-06 Winchester Model 70 for $150. I wrapped it and strapped it to my bike to get it back to the dorm room (can’t imagine being able to do that today). I still have that gun to this day.
With a gun, with a gun, you will be what you are just the same!
Steely Dan
Mine was a single shot bolt action Stevens 22, also when I was 7. I recall buying 50 rd boxes of 22LR for about a quarter.
.25 Barrette, followed by Ruger 10/22, S/W 9mm, PPKS .380, Mini ranch 14, Daniels Defense .223, Kimber Ultra Covert........more to come
CC
Stevens .410 @ age 6 in Jackson MS
dove had little to fear from me with fullchoke standard
But squirrels died
I had an old 66 i got from a guy who had worked the Jungle Boat ride at Mouse World in the 70s
Ironically it was stolen along with my model 28 HIghway Patrolman
Many many moons since then
“Nothing like teaching the kids.”
____________________________________________
I heard that....Not only have I walked my three kids thru the art, I spent 15 years in 4H shotgun teaching kids the finer art of point shooting a shotgun.
Would not trade those 15 years for anything. Best years of my life were spent with those youngsters and their first days swinging the business end of shotgun.
Now that I have time on my hands, thinking about getting back into 4H training at the County level again. We must bring our young ones up and tutor them in the art.
Old Winchester Model 29 long barreled shotgun - 20 gauge. Doesn’t even have a serial number. Belonged to my grandfather. IIRC I was about 12. Still have it.
45 ACP Liberator....you a “Frenchie Resistancer?”
Just thinking, if you’ve never shot, start with what is called a “light” load. A 12 Ga. loaded with a 2 3/4 or 3 inch shell and a slug will kick like a mule. The same gun loaded for skeet is very gentle.
8 yrs old. ,22 Winchester 1908 pump that shot shorts. Still have it !
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