Taking a trip down memory lane

[marcusrn]

I put together $23. and went with dad to Sears on Main, Santa Ana and bought a sweet JC Higgins .22 single shot that was highly accurate.I was 12 and it was first firearm. Later that year or next my brother bought a 22 revolver from a 15 yr old down street, my brother tired of it and sold it to me for same amount. That was it, I was off and running and gunning. Loved hunting rabbits in orange groves and Laguna Canyon 1965.

[JTROKS]

My dad never bought me anything. I gave him a 38 Spec revolver and a Colt 1991A1 Commander. He couldn’t bring the guns to the Philippines with him resulting in me taking possession of the handguns. My very first firearm was a Ruger 10/22 followed by a couple of cheap 380s and a Cobray 9mm. Killed many rabbits and squirrels with my 10/22 and my oldest boy is eyeballing it. He prefers it over the Remington 521 JS I bought for him. Paid $114 OTD for the 10/22 in ‘86, bought a SS heavy barrel for it in mid 90s to improve accuracy. 36 years and thousands of rounds later it is still reliable, with new mags that is.

[Enzo rules]

My first was a Rossi side by side coach gun from Big 5. Wish I had it back.

[SmokieBear]

Originally those werent my actual choice. When I went on leave right after basic in May 2005 I wanted to get a Barrett M82A1 but found out at the gun shop that Arnold signed a bill banning 50 bmg rifles for sale in CA.

[kkd]

Memory Lane: The People's Republik of Santa Cruz way back in the 60's!

My dad bought a Type 99 Arisaka for me when I was 10. We bought a box of Norma 7.7 from Gray's Gun Shop, which happened to be really darn expensive
So expensive, that if I remember correctly, was almost as much as what my dad paid for the Arisaka.
Thinking back, it may have been more....

We took the T99 up Rodeo Gulch Road where people in those days just pulled off the road and shot their guns (good ole days!)
We met a friend of Dad's who brought his M1 Garand.
After shooting both, I fell in love with the M1 and it became my All Time favorite rifle.
I have several Garands now thanks to the CMP.
All are honeys to shoot.
Rich in history

I often wonder who might have taken these ole boys into battle?
Were any at the Bulge?
Okinawa?
Italy?
Three of my uncles were in the 442nd.
Perhaps one of them carried one of my M1's?
They most likely had M1 Carbines -They were little guys...
But they had Giant hearts and were brave brave men
I miss my mom's brothers

[900ss]

Ruger Security Six, 6" blue. I had a trigger job done, and added a vented rib. I still have this revolver and will never sell it. A friend at the time somehow was able to afford a 6" blue Python; we worked the same job, I never did understand how he could afford one. Ancient history now....

[M76]

In college the most I could spend was $400 for a handgun. $500 tops. I waited patiently each week for the Sunday Oakland Tribune/ Thursday sports page. That was when Tradersports would advertise their specials.

[ronrichards64]

My first purchase was a Remington 870 at The Grant boys in 1977 . It was around 180 $ sold it but replaced it latter . Will never be without a 870 again. My first rifle was from Gemco in 1970 for Christmas. I told my folks I wanted a Remington 552 and the salesman got them to buy my a 550 Remington. Been disappointed since.

[heavyrecoil]

[xrMike]

SA milspec 1911. I bought it around 2000 (I came to the game late).

[ARDude]

Ruger 10/22 in 1973 for my 18th birthday.

First handgun was a Colt Police Positive, 4 inch 38 special. In 1976.

[Sutcliffe]

[ptmn]

1985, my Uncle made me a deal of buying me any 22 LR rifle I wanted as long as I came up with half of the money. I mowed lots of lawns to come up with $45, then my Uncle took me to Service Merchandise catalog store in Newark, Ca (anyone remember that place) where they sold the Ruger 10/22 for only $89.95

Back then, you walked out on the spot for long gun purchases, no waiting period. Those were the days before the California liberals destroyed our 2A gun rights, so 1985 and my 1st rifle purchase was definitely a trip down memory lane.

I still have that 10/22 and still enjoy shooting it. Only add ons over the years were a 4x32 Bushnell scope, walnut stock and a custom front sling swivel my Uncle machined out of stainless steel bar stock.

[supersonic]

1986, I was seventeen. My maternal grandfather gifted me 2 long guns: Iver Johnson .22 lever action rifle & a gorgeous Browning Sweet 16 Made in Belgium 16GA shotgun in a custom hard case. When I turned 21 in 1990, I purchased my first handgun, a Star Firestar M-40 .40 S&W compact autoloader.

[Epaphroditus]

Not bought but gifted to me ... about 1976 Savage model 30 series E 12 ga pump. Put much meat on the table with that shotgun. Bought a couple barrels for it 30", 18" and slug ... still have it!