Your first time shooting

[1911 Fan]

My uncle was a paratrooper in the Korean conflict. I was seven years old when we went to Rose valley and fired his stainless high standard .22. Forty years ago.He bought me my first bb/pellet pistol. The marksman 1911 air pistol.Model 1010.

[Vacaville]

My dad bought me a Red Ryder BB gun when I was about 10, learned how to shoot and respect a gun with that. I didn't shoot a firearm until I was 19 when I shot a friend's .38 revolver. Then I joined the military and shot the heck out of my M16.

[rojocorsa]

I was 11 years old, first time ever at scout camp. I got the merit badge for rifle shooting at the end of that week. We were shooting with .22 Marlin bolt target guns with front globes and rear aprerture sights.

One of the workers of the camp did a demo with his M-1 carbine. Being 110% and only having heard .22 gunshots then, the report of the carbine was LOUD. Also got to shoot a modern .50 muzzleloader. It was interesting.

I also shot a shotgun for the first time that week, and I also got the merit badge for it. I've loved shotguns ever since.

[CSACANNONEER]

I don't remember but, I got my first gun on my 12th birthday. So, it was either right after that or, possibly right before that.

[okimreloaded]

Nobody taught me, my parents weren't into guns at all growing up. I made a decision and even though my parents were opposed I went down to the gun shop and bought a springfield xd, having never fired a gun. I was terrified of it at first and kept it around me for weeks before I'd even buy bullets for it.

Then after a few weeks, my brother and i went down to the range and having watched a few videos previously thought it looked pretty simple and went down and learned how to shoot together. Now he's into guns, my wife and his wife are, my parents are at least open to the idea of getting a shotgun, and my father in law has expressed interest in owning a shotgun.

[craneman]

Hard to remember exactly. I think I was about 6. I do remember it was a .22 Marlin rifle. Then when I was 8 he gave it to me, for my very own. I remember my mother was not pleased. He told her I was old enough to learn how to hunt. He was going to teach me, and "a young man can't hunt, unless he has a rifle" I'll never forget those words. My Dad is a great guy. I could not have asked for better, I am truely blessed.

[dragunov321]

I was 11-12 visiting my grandma in Moldova for a sumer, my uncle served in the republic of moldova army on the border, he let me and my brother shoot a full auto ak 47 loaded with tracers, my shoulder hurted all day after shooting.

[stand125]

I had shot 22's and rifles as a kid. I bought a Sigma 9mm as my first semi auto. I remember asking the store owner to show me how to shoot proper. I dry fire a few times and go over the basics. We step up to the firing line, I raise the gun and I don't know if it was the horrible sigma trigger or just nerves, but my hand starts shaking like crazy. The owner says to relax, take a few breaths and try again. I raise my hand, start shaking, slowly pull the trigger and the gun goes off. Needless to say I missed the 10 yard target, but after that first shot and every shot in every gun since then have been great. I just had to get that first shot from a pistol bigger than a .22 over with.

[ZirconJohn]

The year 1964 and I was 8...

I can still remember that shooing bench dad made, with little tray for the .22LR bullets.

Save the detail; dad taught me and my little brother procedure and safety etc.

Then I remember what he said word for word; "okay, take turns shootin...
shoot ONLY at that target, Don't shoot towards the house, and DON'T go
look at the target until I get back...!" - Then he left me and my little brother
there, alone... man, writing this I still remember how that made me feel.

Looking back... I truly suspect dad was behind a tree, or around a corner
watchin' me and my little brother... I don't doubt that for one second.

That little .22 is gone now... stolen in a robbery of our home back then...

But I still have the Walther P38 my dad taught me how to shoot pistol with,
not too much after he taught me to shoot that little .22LR.

He brought that Walther back from WWII.

[89 Vision]

I was in Boy Scouts, think I was maybe 9 or so. Have been hooked ever since.

[GlockTalk9]

My parents were afraid of guns and never owned or exposed me near them. They tried teaching me to avoid guns at all cost but I eventually discovered it myself through video games, TV, movies, etc. At age 19, I had a co-worker that owned a Sig 9mm. He offered to shoot it so I took up on his offer. I am so glad I did. After graduating college 3 years later and saving up enough money, I eventually purchased my own.

[glockman19]

I was 12 years old and it was a .22

[Turo]

I learned safety and technique in the back yard at 3 years old with a break action .177 pellet gun. Me and my dad would set up pyramids of cans in the back yard and pick off each one. After that, we took trips out into the middle of nowhere and shot .22 rifles and pistols when I was about 5 or 6 and I would go with him and his friends when they shot bigger guns and I'd be in charge of picking up casings. Then he got me my own 20ga pump to shoot trap with him and the rest is history.

[Rem222]

Sasebo Japan in 1962... My Dad (USN) bought me a Remington Nylon 76. I took it to the USMC base range. I still remember how good those Marines were to me....

[den888]

Yes, about 15 or 16. Learned on my Dad's Ruger 10/22. I was then given a Colt Trooper Mark III in .22 LR as a gift (my first handgun) in the 80's.