I'm a different man now! Bought MY 1st SHOTGUN @ age 56, Classes Later. What was YOUR FIRST GUN?

2/15/13 | san rafael blue

[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.

[Tainan]

Might want to take a look at post #123...just sayin’....

[Qwackertoo]

I think I was 26 or 27, a .357 Colt King Cobra in SS.

[Qwackertoo]

I think I am going out today and buying a shotgun. Probably a 20 gauge. Or youth model. IF I can find one in stock. Maybe WalMart or Gander Mountain. My recent purchases have been Ruger .380 LCP and Ruger .357 LCR.

I’m going to be taking some classes this Spring when the weather warms up. Maybe even a tactical type training course after basic. My days of volunteering at the elementary school and middle school are over now that the kids are older. Time for some me time. And I’m not very good at golf. haha :)

[Qwackertoo]

I think I am going out today and buying a shotgun. Probably a 20 gauge. Or youth model. IF I can find one in stock. Maybe WalMart or Gander Mountain. My recent purchases have been Ruger .380 LCP and Ruger .357 LCR.

I’m going to be taking some classes this Spring when the weather warms up. Maybe even a tactical type training course after basic. My days of volunteering at the elementary school and middle school are over now that the kids are older. Time for some me time. And I’m not very good at golf. haha :)

[CAluvdubya]

Here is a photo similar to my very first gun when I was about 7:

I got it for Christmas, along with a Chatty Cathy doll! :)

For my first real firearm, I actually surprised my DH by getting him a 1911 for Christmas over 12 years ago. In CA, that was tricky at the time as I had to pass a written test in order to purchse. The gentlemen in the gun store were very helpful as I had never purchased a weapon before.

Now I own a gorgeous Henry Big Boy rifle (my favorite to shoot!) and a .40 cal Ruger (which has it's problems).

Have fun and be safe! DH and I are actually going to the range today so will be thinking of all the fun you're going to have after your waiting period!

[CAluvdubya]

Dang! I see this idiot was a troll and is now gone. Guess I should read the entire thread before posting.... *sigh*

[Williams]

Yep he never said what he bought. Collecting information on people.

[Williams]

Well he did eventually say so Im not sure what was up with him. His account is gone either way.

[Tijeras_Slim]

Here’s the reason, a thread advocating homosexuality in the Catholic church.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2989217/posts

Anyway, the shotgun he bought was a crappy Baikal single shot.

[CAluvdubya]

I fell right into that one. Of course, since I live in CA, they already know what I have!