Thread: First Gun

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

Winchester Mod 12,my dad gave me at age 12,my first duck gun,gave it to my son.

Two great dads, there.

Originally Posted by Geezer

Remington mod. 514. single shot, first with cocking on bolt close. I was seven (1948) and was allowed to hunt with the adults. Lots of small pot meat from that one. Anything that didn't have tooth marks after a meal went into the deep well pot in the back of the cooking range. ~Richard

Had to look up that model. Boy howdy that is a beautiful rifle. Here is a look for anyone else who doesn't recognize the Remington.

Originally Posted by rhensley

The stevens single shot 410 was also my first gun. I got when I was 9. I still like the 410 but the shells for it cost more than the 12. To me the 410 is really an experts gun but most of the time there a young persons first. If I were to give a young man or lady a shot gun I believe it would be a 20.

Indeed, the little full-choke 410 was pricey to shoot. It taught me to use discrepancy as pulling the trigger. I mowed many a yard to feed it. Interesting how many get a 22 for a first gun. I dunno, though. They go a long way as-fired.
As I discovered the firepower and cost of a 20/12, I made one mine at 14. A Revelation pump sold by Western Auto. Really a Mossberg 500 12 GA, I remember plucking down the 55.95!
Still have that one as well.

Originally Posted by WW243

Had to look up that model. Boy howdy that is a beautiful rifle. Here is a look for anyone else who doesn't recognize the Remington.

I have one as well. Have had it many, many years. A highly accurate rifle, albeit not with a rear sight like that!
Taught my daughters to shoot with it. They did have trouble rotating the safety, though.
After a while, I demanded to see the bolt up as not firing!

re 514...
Five .25" holes with a bit of Vaseline in them later drilled into the stock near and just ahead of the breech were meant for holding 22LR cartridges for when the squirrels/ tree rats were abundant. Handy made for quick second shots. A two power scope was added a few years later when I knew how to shoot. Upland game tasted the same when potted with a "TwentyRiTwoful" as with a shotgun.
~Richard
PS, I always wanted a .22/.410 over under!

Originally Posted by Geezer

re 514...
Five .25" holes with a bit of Vaseline in them later drilled into the stock near and just ahead of the breech were meant for holding 22LR cartridges for when the squirrels/ tree rats were abundant. Handy made for quick second shots. A two power scope was added a few years later when I knew how to shoot. Upland game tasted the same when potted with a "TwentyRiTwoful" as with a shotgun.
~Richard
PS, I always wanted a .22/.410 over under!

I don't think 'drillings' ever took off here in the U.S. but I have been out of the firearm loop for some time...still like to look at them though. I thought a drilling like a .243 under a double 20 gauge would be a good 'survival' gun. Wonder if they even exist? Have to check...another rabbit hole .

My first gun was a Daisy Red Ryder BB gun. My first real gun was a .410 (don't remember the brand name) that was purchased for my 12th birthday from Sears Roebuck & Company.

My current collection is one .12 gauge stagecoach gun and numerous S&W pistols ranging from .22 to .44 mag. A few weeks back I purchased a Glock 42.

My first gun was a Norinco sks I was 12 it was on my birthday my dad thought I needed it as I was the most responsible kid in the house. It was something special because we had been shooting for years an I was trusted with it. It was a Responsibility that my mother wasn't happy about an my father insisted I could be trusted an I still have that gun today.

My first gun was a Norinco sks I was 12 it was on my birthday my dad thought I needed it as I was the most responsible kid in the house. It was something special because we had been shooting for years an I was trusted with it. It was a Responsibility that my mother wasn't happy about but my father insisted I could be trusted an I still have that gun today.

Originally Posted by KsStraightShaver

My first gun was a Norinco sks I was 12 it was on my birthday my dad thought I needed it as I was the most responsible kid in the house. It was something special because we had been shooting for years an I was trusted with it. It was a Responsibility that my mother wasn't happy about but my father insisted I could be trusted an I still have that gun today.

A SKS! Wotta first gun! Does it still have the spike bayonet? Every kid needs that!

Seriously, I have one from back in the 'ban' years. Bayonet lug shaved, plastic 'monte carlo' stock and (true to the 'ban') a 5 round removable magazine. Funny how the mag is 5 rounds, yet is an AK mag. 30's, 40's and even a 70 round drum go right on.
Amazing how good it functions and is quite accurate as well.

I found a pristine 1946 Tula SKS with all matching serial numbers in a local pawn shop in 2007. It was $250 and I looked at it and almost bought it but didn't really need it so I passed but I remarked to my wife how hard it was to find them from that manufacturer and especially that condition.

Long story short it showed up as a birthday present the next week with 1 cent left to pay off on layaway.

Took it out and zeroed it and was shocked at both how accurate it was and how far it threw the spent cases! It's truly a work of mil spec art. Your lucky to get a battle rifle/carbine for your first gun and back in the day they were even cheaper to shoot than they are now.

Interestingly I found that the ballistics of the 7.62x39 round are virtually identical to the 30-30 Winchester. So not only is it a fun firearm to have but with soft point ammo would make a great first white tail gun...