When I was very young, my first rifle was a spring action Daisy BB gun. The bargain was that after I had used up three cardboard canisters of BBs, practicing on a plywood target they couldn’t even penetrate, I would get a “serious”, pump BB-pellet rifle.
After all that range practice, I could play that spring Daisy like a violin, and upgrading to a surprisingly powerful pump action was a bit of a shock. That thing *could usually* penetrate my plywood target, so I needed to erect a backstop to keep from damaging the cinder blocks behind it.
The deal then was two cylinders of BBs and one of pellets, and I would get a target quality .22 iron sights. First hundred rounds .22 shorts, but after that, long rifle.
When I finished that up, I got a scope for the .22. Again, a whole ‘nother ball of wax.
But as a bonus, after I reached the .22 level, I could fire any gun I wanted to, but couldn’t own my first handgun until I paid for it with my own money. A wise idea, for being tight as a Scotsman guaranteed that I would shop around to find a gun that would not just sit in a closet and rust, but be *my* gun.
I think that you were very well trained. It is a great story!