How Did you Get Into Shooting?

SuckLead · 10-05-2007, 09:37 PM

Tell us something about how you got into the shooting sports. Who got you into it. Why you like it so much. Etc.

Are you in it for defense only? Do you target shoot? Hunt? Skeet? Trap? Sporting clays? Matches?

Dallas · 10-05-2007, 10:13 PM

When I was about seven and lived in Alaska my Dad took me out and let me shoot his .357 revolver, it darn near put me on the ground. I only fired one round and that was all I wanted. When I was 11 my Dad gave me a .22 Ruger to shoot. Had a lot of fun with that rifle I learned basic marksmanship and weapons handling. I didn't shoot anything bigger till I got in the Army and got to play with lots of fun things that went bang or boom. I've gone hunting a few times but I mostly punch paper and plastic water jugs.

TexasT · 10-05-2007, 10:17 PM

I have always admired guns. I have twin cousin males that got BB guns all the time and I never got one because they presumed that since I was a girl I didn't want one. I did. I shot theirs sometimes but I wanted my own. So recently since I had the money I bought my first hand gun. I want to get a shotgun and a rifle eventually. I also want to get into skeet and trap and maybe some competitions.

I like it so much because I like the power of a gun...

SuckLead · 10-05-2007, 11:26 PM

I started shooting a few years ago. The first gun I ever fired was a Ruger GP100 that would be my carry gun in armored transport (the first time I ever fired a gun was for qualifying for that job). It's untimely demise resulted in my first purchase which was a Sig P226 in 40. I come from an anti family and an anti state, so all I was ever taught about guns was "they're evil and only cops and gang bangers carry them." Never did own a BB gun (mom was convinced I'd hurt myself). Had cap pistols when I was a kid, two twin revolvers that I played cowgirl with. That was it.

I like it so much because it gives me more freedom, makes me know I can defend myself in a situation where I can't use my hands, it's a great way to blow out some stress ("It's a 12 ga. kind of day."), and it's fun. I only went to my first IDPA match last week, my second is this coming Tuesday. Not easy with a big revolver, but still fun. I am a member of SASS, will be going to my first meet next weekend. And got to try out the Benelli in the woods during a major rain storm while shooting sporting clays. Only once, but I want more.

Currently own 6 guns, three of which are still fully functional. The 7th (my Sig's replacement) is being saved up for.

cubbieman · 10-06-2007, 01:58 AM

i had some BB guns when i was about 10-11 and then when i got up here i made friends with a couple people who had real guns. i still have a couple bb guns but i don't use them much

samuel · 10-06-2007, 04:25 AM

Hunting was expected of us boys and game was a staple.When I was 8yrs I inherited the old .22 singleshot which was shortened for younger hunters.I never saw any other necessary work I loved so much. sam.

Big Dog · 10-06-2007, 04:26 AM

I grew up watching cowboy, army and cop shows - I always liked the guns! Did some hunting when younger. Dad made me the family 'armorer/gunsmith' - I liked it.
Finally was able to start buying my own, and never looked back!

Triggerjerk · 10-06-2007, 06:16 AM

I have always been armed. At first I carried a knife, like people do when they cannot get guns. When I was 21 I almost immediately bought a .38 revolver with a 3" barrel. My parents were not pleased with my desire to be armed.

billy · 10-06-2007, 07:25 AM

we were poor and there wasnt enough money for guns at home.
but my mom did buy me a pistol when i was about 17.
then when i grew up i started shopping around and bought my first rifle a yugo sks.
then it branched out into black rifles , milsurps ,pistols, revolvers,modern bolt rifles,target .22,s and now i am dreaming of bolt pistols and cowboy guns.
for some reason i dont really want a shotgun.
i do shoot smallbore metallic silhouette and enjoy bench rest target shooting.

i look at it like any other hobby that folks get into.
golf
flyfishing
cars
bikes
or even shudder baseball cards

if you are not a nut its a harmless thing to do.
and i really enjoy researching the history of the old milsurps

Idaho Dave · 10-06-2007, 01:51 PM

grew up with firearms. Hunted for food since I was a kid. Never known a time that I havent owned firearms. For a while I lived in the city with the wife and didnt hunt as much (5 or 6 times a year as opposed to 3-4 times a week). One day told the wife that I hated city life, to my suprise she said she did too. Moved back to the country (only a couple hundred miles from where I grew up) and niether of us would move back. I own my firearms for all the reasons listed hunting, target shooting, trap, some local competitions. And one more. I think it is the responsibility of all thinking members of a free society to own at least a weapon and understand how to use it.

Cyrille · 10-06-2007, 02:20 PM

I beleive I've posted how I got involoved in my introduction . I was introduced to hunting/shooting by an uncle way back in 1948 and only shot and hunted with longarms until 2005 when my son introduced me to handguns. Since then I've used both longarms and handguns in various calibers but only now I tend to use only .45 caliber ammo in the diameter of .451, .452.

cubbieman · 10-08-2007, 03:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billy

or even shudder baseball cards

baseball cards are hard to get rid of. and i'm only trying to get like a penny each, but no one wants my crap

jerry · 10-08-2007, 06:16 AM

Used to go on adventures with the bb/pellet gun when I was a kid.
My dad used to give me the privilage of cleaning his shotgun after hunting. Thought I was big stuff.
Started to carry on the family tradition of hunting. Borrowing dads guns
Got my first gun, Wingmaster 12 ga when I was 16 (still have it)
Went in the AF, left the 870 at home and went to Okinawa.
When I got back staeside, I got reassigned to Tucson AZ & went nuts buying guns.
Still ratholing money and trying to figure out the next purchase.

nighthawk80 · 10-08-2007, 10:37 AM

My Dad sat down my older sister and I when we were 6 and 5, and brought out one of his guns. He told us about it and the resposibilities of having one. He also told us of the dagers that can happen with one. He then took us outside with his BB gun and taught us how to use it. Been hooked ever since.
He also bought my sister and I a 22 to share when we were 10.

Calvin · 10-08-2007, 09:18 PM

My uncle worked for R&R Donnelly in Kentucky and they used to print Guns and Guns And Ammo magazines. I saw one on his countertop and started looking at the pics. I loved the magazines! He used to bring me every single issue for the year for both mags and I couldn't keep away from them after that!
Bought my first firearm at a Woolworth's Drug Store in Columbus. It was (is) a Winchester M1 carbine, all matching, that I picked out of a HUGE basketful of carbines they had on display there. Cost? An outrageous (for the time) $125, with a box of ammo and one 15-round mag.
I can remember walking through the mall after I bought it! No one ran for cover and nobody called the police.
How times have changed......

SueMe · 10-13-2007, 01:42 PM

Every November was the big family get together at Grandpa's for the Whitetail Deer hunting season. I grew up assuming I would hunt. My father had a leather jacket made out of the hide of the first deer my mother shot.

This time of the year in North Central Minnesota Deer season is practically a state holiday from school. Attendance is very low as many are in the woods.

When I moved away from my home town after high school I was surprised to find out that there were entire families that hunting season was a foriegn concept.

I guess I'm a hunter because I don't know better. I love venison and other wild game.
I am a good shot, it comes so easy and natural.

gunney_m · 10-13-2007, 02:01 PM

My grandpa took me shootin when I was 6, it was a Springfield bolt action 22LR older than my dad.

newhunterette · 10-22-2007, 09:48 AM

I got into hunting 4 years ago to join my husband as he has hunted for many years becasue when my middle daughter was 4 years old she stopped breathing on us after eating a beef roast I had made for supper one evening - when I rushed her into the hospital she was in compete anaphylactic shock and they code Blue her and hook her up to breathing machines - we discovered after many tests and agonizing days and nights in hospital that she had an allergic reaction to something they use in raising cattle for butcherin - she can not eat meats from grocery stores - so I took up hunting as venison is free range and I process it so I know what she is getting - she is now 16 years old and has not had that kind of allergic reaction again - I only harvest what I plan on feeding to my family - yes a nice trophy would be sweet on my wall but it isnt my priority

Ali

BunnyWabbit · 10-22-2007, 10:42 AM

I actually am an archer. Had no desire to ever shoot a gun. My father was very irresponsible with guns and he had a ton of them (long story). But in order to pass hunter's safety I had to shoot a 22 rifle and a shotgun even though I was bow hunting. So I called the Wildlife and Parks office to see if there was any way of getting around this since I had some pretty serious fear of them. So when I showed up, the guys at the range had pink earplugs and a headset. Apparently they had a bet with the guy at the office to see if they could get me to shoot or not. So, my first ever two shots from a shotgun I hit both skeets. My 22 rifle target with 20 shots you could cover with a quarter. I didn't know that was good at the time. I thought you were supposed to put them all in the same hole if you were any good. So they gave me the target to take home to hubby. So for Christmas I got a shotgun, Valentine's Day a deer rifle, and my 8th wedding anniversary a Ruger Mark III. And the rest, well, I guess I'm not done buying yet. I shot my bow with a scope because I mostly did the tournaments, so I learned how to hold it still, so I guess that carried over to guns.

Bravo · 10-22-2007, 10:47 AM

I started out shooting only a couple of times a year, when hunting deer. I soon found that I enjoyed shooting more than hunting. I still love to hunt, but enjoy the sport of shooting year round.

10-05-2007, 09:37 PM	#1
SuckLead Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: USA Posts: 600	How Did you Get Into Shooting? Tell us something about how you got into the shooting sports. Who got you into it. Why you like it so much. Etc. Are you in it for defense only? Do you target shoot? Hunt? Skeet? Trap? Sporting clays? Matches?

10-05-2007, 10:13 PM	#2
Dallas PUKHA DAWG Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Virginia, just outside of Washington D.C. Posts: 3,595	When I was about seven and lived in Alaska my Dad took me out and let me shoot his .357 revolver, it darn near put me on the ground. I only fired one round and that was all I wanted. When I was 11 my Dad gave me a .22 Ruger to shoot. Had a lot of fun with that rifle I learned basic marksmanship and weapons handling. I didn't shoot anything bigger till I got in the Army and got to play with lots of fun things that went bang or boom. I've gone hunting a few times but I mostly punch paper and plastic water jugs. __________________ Those who forget History are condemed to repeat it.

10-05-2007, 10:17 PM	#3
TexasT Hook 'em Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Everywhere you want to be. Posts: 4,209 Blog Entries: 16	I have always admired guns. I have twin cousin males that got BB guns all the time and I never got one because they presumed that since I was a girl I didn't want one. I did. I shot theirs sometimes but I wanted my own. So recently since I had the money I bought my first hand gun. I want to get a shotgun and a rifle eventually. I also want to get into skeet and trap and maybe some competitions. I like it so much because I like the power of a gun... __________________ I'm just a little bit caught in the middle. Life is a maze. Love is a riddle.

10-06-2007, 04:26 AM	#7
Big Dog Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 10,214	I grew up watching cowboy, army and cop shows - I always liked the guns! Did some hunting when younger. Dad made me the family 'armorer/gunsmith' - I liked it. Finally was able to start buying my own, and never looked back! __________________ Moderator of: AR15/M16, M14/M1A, New/Beginning Shooters and Militaria/Collectables.

10-06-2007, 06:16 AM	#8
Triggerjerk Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 978	I have always been armed. At first I carried a knife, like people do when they cannot get guns. When I was 21 I almost immediately bought a .38 revolver with a 3" barrel. My parents were not pleased with my desire to be armed. __________________ We old dogs can learn new tricks. We just may not like performng them. TJ

10-05-2007, 11:26 PM	#4
SuckLead Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: USA Posts: 600	I started shooting a few years ago. The first gun I ever fired was a Ruger GP100 that would be my carry gun in armored transport (the first time I ever fired a gun was for qualifying for that job). It's untimely demise resulted in my first purchase which was a Sig P226 in 40. I come from an anti family and an anti state, so all I was ever taught about guns was "they're evil and only cops and gang bangers carry them." Never did own a BB gun (mom was convinced I'd hurt myself). Had cap pistols when I was a kid, two twin revolvers that I played cowgirl with. That was it. I like it so much because it gives me more freedom, makes me know I can defend myself in a situation where I can't use my hands, it's a great way to blow out some stress ("It's a 12 ga. kind of day."), and it's fun. I only went to my first IDPA match last week, my second is this coming Tuesday. Not easy with a big revolver, but still fun. I am a member of SASS, will be going to my first meet next weekend. And got to try out the Benelli in the woods during a major rain storm while shooting sporting clays. Only once, but I want more. Currently own 6 guns, three of which are still fully functional. The 7th (my Sig's replacement) is being saved up for.

10-06-2007, 01:58 AM	#5
cubbieman Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Alaska Posts: 1,481	i had some BB guns when i was about 10-11 and then when i got up here i made friends with a couple people who had real guns. i still have a couple bb guns but i don't use them much

10-06-2007, 04:25 AM	#6
samuel Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,087	Hunting was expected of us boys and game was a staple.When I was 8yrs I inherited the old .22 singleshot which was shortened for younger hunters.I never saw any other necessary work I loved so much. sam.

10-06-2007, 07:25 AM	#9
billy spiritual counselor Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: a secret lab on the shores of lake titicaca Posts: 12,150 Images: 9 Blog Entries: 146	we were poor and there wasnt enough money for guns at home. but my mom did buy me a pistol when i was about 17. then when i grew up i started shopping around and bought my first rifle a yugo sks. then it branched out into black rifles , milsurps ,pistols, revolvers,modern bolt rifles,target .22,s and now i am dreaming of bolt pistols and cowboy guns. for some reason i dont really want a shotgun. i do shoot smallbore metallic silhouette and enjoy bench rest target shooting. i look at it like any other hobby that folks get into. golf flyfishing cars bikes or even shudder baseball cards if you are not a nut its a harmless thing to do. and i really enjoy researching the history of the old milsurps __________________ Last edited by billy; 10-14-2007 at 03:52 AM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost

10-06-2007, 01:51 PM	#10
Idaho Dave Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Idaho Posts: 535	grew up with firearms. Hunted for food since I was a kid. Never known a time that I havent owned firearms. For a while I lived in the city with the wife and didnt hunt as much (5 or 6 times a year as opposed to 3-4 times a week). One day told the wife that I hated city life, to my suprise she said she did too. Moved back to the country (only a couple hundred miles from where I grew up) and niether of us would move back. I own my firearms for all the reasons listed hunting, target shooting, trap, some local competitions. And one more. I think it is the responsibility of all thinking members of a free society to own at least a weapon and understand how to use it. __________________ Living the life

10-06-2007, 02:20 PM	#11
Cyrille Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: South Louisiana Posts: 1,850	I beleive I've posted how I got involoved in my introduction . I was introduced to hunting/shooting by an uncle way back in 1948 and only shot and hunted with longarms until 2005 when my son introduced me to handguns. Since then I've used both longarms and handguns in various calibers but only now I tend to use only .45 caliber ammo in the diameter of .451, .452.

10-08-2007, 06:16 AM	#13
jerry Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 10,883 Images: 9 Blog Entries: 1	Used to go on adventures with the bb/pellet gun when I was a kid. My dad used to give me the privilage of cleaning his shotgun after hunting. Thought I was big stuff. Started to carry on the family tradition of hunting. Borrowing dads guns Got my first gun, Wingmaster 12 ga when I was 16 (still have it) Went in the AF, left the 870 at home and went to Okinawa. When I got back staeside, I got reassigned to Tucson AZ & went nuts buying guns. Still ratholing money and trying to figure out the next purchase. __________________ I'm a down home back woods redneck

10-08-2007, 10:37 AM	#14
nighthawk80 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Just south of Central Indiana Posts: 403	My Dad sat down my older sister and I when we were 6 and 5, and brought out one of his guns. He told us about it and the resposibilities of having one. He also told us of the dagers that can happen with one. He then took us outside with his BB gun and taught us how to use it. Been hooked ever since. He also bought my sister and I a 22 to share when we were 10.

10-08-2007, 09:18 PM	#15
Calvin Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 2,000	My uncle worked for R&R Donnelly in Kentucky and they used to print Guns and Guns And Ammo magazines. I saw one on his countertop and started looking at the pics. I loved the magazines! He used to bring me every single issue for the year for both mags and I couldn't keep away from them after that! Bought my first firearm at a Woolworth's Drug Store in Columbus. It was (is) a Winchester M1 carbine, all matching, that I picked out of a HUGE basketful of carbines they had on display there. Cost? An outrageous (for the time) $125, with a box of ammo and one 15-round mag. I can remember walking through the mall after I bought it! No one ran for cover and nobody called the police. How times have changed...... __________________ If you don't like cops, call your local crackhead for help next time!

10-13-2007, 01:42 PM	#16
SueMe Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Pine River ,Minnesota Posts: 34	Every November was the big family get together at Grandpa's for the Whitetail Deer hunting season. I grew up assuming I would hunt. My father had a leather jacket made out of the hide of the first deer my mother shot. This time of the year in North Central Minnesota Deer season is practically a state holiday from school. Attendance is very low as many are in the woods. When I moved away from my home town after high school I was surprised to find out that there were entire families that hunting season was a foriegn concept. I guess I'm a hunter because I don't know better. I love venison and other wild game. I am a good shot, it comes so easy and natural.

10-13-2007, 02:01 PM	#17
gunney_m Banned Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Muskogee,Ok Posts: 1,931	My grandpa took me shootin when I was 6, it was a Springfield bolt action 22LR older than my dad.

10-22-2007, 09:48 AM	#18
newhunterette Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Fraser Valley, British Columbia, Canada Posts: 353	I got into hunting 4 years ago to join my husband as he has hunted for many years becasue when my middle daughter was 4 years old she stopped breathing on us after eating a beef roast I had made for supper one evening - when I rushed her into the hospital she was in compete anaphylactic shock and they code Blue her and hook her up to breathing machines - we discovered after many tests and agonizing days and nights in hospital that she had an allergic reaction to something they use in raising cattle for butcherin - she can not eat meats from grocery stores - so I took up hunting as venison is free range and I process it so I know what she is getting - she is now 16 years old and has not had that kind of allergic reaction again - I only harvest what I plan on feeding to my family - yes a nice trophy would be sweet on my wall but it isnt my priority Ali __________________ "a real Proud southern Canadian Beaver but have always adored my American neighbours" Last edited by newhunterette; 10-22-2007 at 10:02 AM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost

10-22-2007, 10:42 AM	#19
BunnyWabbit Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Jayhawk Country Posts: 1,086	I actually am an archer. Had no desire to ever shoot a gun. My father was very irresponsible with guns and he had a ton of them (long story). But in order to pass hunter's safety I had to shoot a 22 rifle and a shotgun even though I was bow hunting. So I called the Wildlife and Parks office to see if there was any way of getting around this since I had some pretty serious fear of them. So when I showed up, the guys at the range had pink earplugs and a headset. Apparently they had a bet with the guy at the office to see if they could get me to shoot or not. So, my first ever two shots from a shotgun I hit both skeets. My 22 rifle target with 20 shots you could cover with a quarter. I didn't know that was good at the time. I thought you were supposed to put them all in the same hole if you were any good. So they gave me the target to take home to hubby. So for Christmas I got a shotgun, Valentine's Day a deer rifle, and my 8th wedding anniversary a Ruger Mark III. And the rest, well, I guess I'm not done buying yet. I shot my bow with a scope because I mostly did the tournaments, so I learned how to hold it still, so I guess that carried over to guns.

10-22-2007, 10:47 AM	#20
Bravo Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Maine, USA Posts: 1,897	I started out shooting only a couple of times a year, when hunting deer. I soon found that I enjoyed shooting more than hunting. I still love to hunt, but enjoy the sport of shooting year round.