What was the first firearm you ever shot?

[Alan]

I am curious to hear everyone’s stories, what was the very first firearm you ever shot and how did it go?

 

[Tony]

My dad and one of my uncles took me out to a quarry when I was 8 years old to introduce me to shooting. We were shooting a model of S&W in 9mm, I don't remember which, and a 4" S&W model 28 in .357 magnum. I did shoot a model 29, once, with my dad behind me bracing my arms and making sure I didn't fall backwards.

It was epic.

 

[nksmfamjp]

I learned to shoot with an adult sized Montgomery Wards 22 lr

 

[Jim Mayo]

Nylon 66 at around the age of 6. Grandpa had a 8MM Mauser that somehow made it back from Europe when he came home from WW2, so the story went, and at the age of 8? I got to shoot it...also got my first and only "scope eye." Got my first shotgun at 10, a hand-me down 20ga single shot. I don't remember what make it was, probably a remington. First "M1 thumb" happened pre-teen, 11 or 12 I suppose. Grandpa was the commander of the local American Legion and us younguns got to clean the weapons after parades and what not.

 

[woodbutcher]

I was about 6, my father, being in the USMC, trained me with a M1. I learned real fast to "pocket the butt" and I learned patience. The one thing that he stressed was "one must feel the shot"

 

[wapakfred]

20 gauge shotgun, Winchester model 37. I cut my shooting teeth hunting small game, particularly rabbits.

 

[David Marlin]

16 Guage Remington shotgun with a poly choke. Dad took me out to the Fayette County "Rod & Gun club" to shoot trap. My grandson has that gun now. It's a little much for a 12 year old so his dad got him a 410 single to get used to.

 

[Dstegjas]

Mine was an Ithaca model 49. A single shot lever action .22 rifle. Of course that was about 56 years ago. I no longer have the rifle but I have a lot of good memories of shooting it.

 

[Sideways]

First shotgun was a JC Higgins bolt action 12 Ga - first pistol was a S&W .22 8 or 9 shot with a four inch barrel.

 

[Alan]

20 gauge shotgun, Winchester model 37. I cut my shooting teeth hunting small game, particularly rabbits.

That’s actually a good way to start. Model 37 and rabbits will teach you the fundamentals fast

 

[Alan]

16 Guage Remington shotgun with a poly choke. Dad took me out to the Fayette County "Rod & Gun club" to shoot trap. My grandson has that gun now. It's a little much for a 12 year old so his dad got him a 410 single to get used to.

Smart move easing him in with a .410 before the 16 gauge thumper.

 

[Alan]

Mine was an Ithaca model 49. A single shot lever action .22 rifle. Of course that was about 56 years ago. I no longer have the rifle but I have a lot of good memories of shooting it.

Those old .22s created lifelong shooters. Even if the rifle’s gone, the memories never fade

 

[Alan]

First shotgun was a JC Higgins bolt action 12 Ga - first pistol was a S&W .22 8 or 9 shot with a four inch barrel.

That JC Higgins and a .22 revolver is a good combo to start with. You covered both ends early.

 

[The Quiet Man]

JC Higgins 9-shot .22 revolver when I was under 10. My dad bought it at Sears and we shot it at my Grandparents farm in rural MN. I still have it but its nearly worn out.

 

[Komodo5379]

I learned to shoot .22 rifle at the old NRA range in Washington, DC. I started at 14. We shot small bore postal matches. My dad was not a sportsman and we had no firearms in the home.

 

[dademoss]

it was a single shot .22, I don't recall the make or model, but I can ask my brother, he has it. My first two BSA merit badges were archery and Rifle/shotgun.