This thread is mainly for those born in the 70s or earlier, but everyone is welcome to join.

[john463]

Born in the early 70's - Dad was a gun guy. He got his Pistol permit after being a juror on a rape case and felt it was warranted after serving as the head juror. Dad also shot Trap on the weekends and we helped reload the shells the next day. Went to guns show and always had interest in firearms from a young age (I can still taste the homemade beef jerky from the guns shows).
I remember that Grandpa had a Colt 1908 hammerless and he would fire a round on the 4th of July - upwards - to make sure it still functioned (stubborn Italian). That guns still around with my Dad I think ....
Grew up shooting BB and pellet guns in the basement - add in Chinese stars as well (the drywall was never the same). My brother and I had archery and riflery as summer intramurals - offered before everyone got "woke" .. we shot BB guns from one side of the gym to the other and stick bows at hay targets outside.
Then we enter the world of 22 bolt action and lever action rifles with Dad - lots of fun plinking.
First gun I bought for myself was a Ruger 1022 and then a Maadi AKM 7.62 x 39 Egyptian AK - still have both. Around 22 - I was selling cars and as part of one deal the owner made with a retired Sherriff (or Jailer as he would call himself) was that he would train me in the ways of the pistol and help with my first pistol and carry permit. First pistols he had me work with was his S&W CS9 and a model 10 wheel gun. We even shot we shot a tube TV for fun with his S&W 952 - I got the 1st shot at the TV and still have pictures in action to prove it . From there, I was hooked - 20 + years, 28 pistols and a bunch of long guns later, here we are.
Fun fact - I still shoot with the Sherriff (who is now 93 and usually outshoots me) & I just found myself a CS9. I've always remembered that gun and wanted one way down deep (damn the mags are expensive!!).

 

[N.H.Yankee]

Born in 1952, bought my first pistol a S&W highway patrolman model 57 357magnum, I started reloading when I was 18, I got into shooting through my grandfather a WWI vet who owned shotguns and rifles. I began competitive shooting when I was 20 and did so until I was 28. My competition guns were a Colt gold cup national match, 45acp a Jim Clark 38 special and a high standard Victor 22. Throughout the years I've owned over 100 guns many 5 screw and 4 screw S&W revolvers which I wish I had today. Fast forward to 2025 I have mostly 9mm pistols and a S&W M&P 2.0 40cal. as well as a few rifles and a couple shotguns, my eyes aren't what they once were, I could hit a 1 gallon jug offhand at 100 yards consistently with a S&W model 25 45acp with reloads when I was doing a lot of shooting. Nowadays I kid around and tell people I'd be happy to hit a 55 Buick offhand at 100 yards.

 

[rattlesnakedaddy]

I was born in the early 70's. No firearms allowed at our house, although my cousins would take me shooting when we went to visit. Both my grandfathers had been hunters, but had stopped before I was born. I didn't even know that one of the owned firearms until New York came inquiring about two pistols that he had permits for a few days after he passed.

My first firearm was a 3" S&W 65-5 "Ladysmith" in .357 magnum. I took my permit course with the local Sheriff's office, and carried that for a number of years before switching to a Browning Hi-Power in .40 S&W, followed by a Lightweight Colt Commander in .45ACP.

I always wanted a Dan Wesson Model 15 .357 multi barrel set, but that is unlikely these days.

RSD

 

[Marshwheeling]

There were no guns in my home when I grew up. Parents of friends introduced me to shooting, and one of them took me pheasant hunting. Over the years I had opportunities to shoot hand guns with other friends. I really enjoyed shooting a BIL's 1911, and resolved to buy one, but most of my disposable income was going to motorcycles and their accoutrements, and that overrode any urge to own a gun.
A motorcycle buddy had a couple of ČZs and thought I ought to have them to go with my ČZ motorcycles. So my first guns were a Model 52 and a 50, with a steel ammo box full of 7.62x25 and 7.65. I shot them a bit at a South Dakota ranch where I would go dirt biking.
My next gun was a 5" Model 60, which led me to this forum, and the rest is history.

 

[dogkinkead]

Born in 1954, lived in an "oil camp" in Venezuela. Dad "gave me" my first gun, Colt Scout, he obtained when I was five. Still have it.

 

[REParker]

1948 baby. First gun was a Mossberg 320K (I believe) SS .22 bolt action rifle with a Weaver 4X scope I got for my 14th birthday when we were transitioning from NJ to a farm in upstate NY. Bane of the local woodchuck population. (In 1962, recognizing the need to have a deer rifle as well, Dad bought a sporterized 1891 Argentine Mauser [7.65mm] from the Montgomery Ward catalog along with 100 rounds of surplus steel jacketed military ammo. The mailman delivered it! Different times.) Did a little VERY unsuccessful pistol shooting after that with a friend of mine, then got into competitive shooting with the local PD years later back in NJ followed by serious Int'l Air Gun competition. Guns have come and gone since then...Python, Smiths,1911's, High Standard Supermatic and others...that I wish I had now, but... Times change, and I've evolved from a Target-focused (see what I did there?) shooter to a more Self-Defense mind set, and that's where I remain.

 

[Smoke]

This Is Going To Be A Long Post I made it as short as I could.

I was born in 1965

I mentioned this in another discussion. Growing up Firearms were not mentioned in my home. I know my father had a shotgun and I know that he got rid of it at some point.

My grandfather had one of the old glass front gun cases in his basement. I'm pretty sure it was full of old shotguns, I don't think there were any rifles in it. Certainly no handguns.

My mother was on the Benson High School Rifle Team and she used to go hunting with my grandfather frequently but by the time I was born she hated guns.

I'm not sure what the story was but apparently somebody got shot on a hunting trip and neither my grandfather nor my mother ever touched a firearm again.

When I turned 18 I moved to Houston to work for my father. I bought 2 rifles in a pawshop in Pearland mostly because I could.

The first was a .22 caliber Remington Nylon 66. The second was a Winchester 30-30. I don't know why but my father was 100% on board with the .22 but he threw a fit over the 30-30. He thought it was more gun than I needed.

I pawned both of them in Tampa 2 years later.

I didn't buy another gun until I got out of the Army.

During that phase I bought a lot of junk like Llamas and Taurus. I wasn't collecting I was accumulating.

Right before I got married I gave away all my guns and didn't own anymore until 10 years later (2007).

In 2007 my wife was involved in a road rage incident. She came home shaking and told me "I want a gun and I want a carry permit."

We both got our permits and we started buying guns. I was trying to cover all my bases and I bought more guns in more calibers than I could supply.

In 2013 my employer got permission from the city to arm all the guards on the city contract. They required us to purchase our own handguns for work and they had to meet their requirements (had to be semi-automatic and it had to be from an approved list of manufacturers, No Hipoints, No Taurus) and it had to meet the city requirements (No SAO, Had to be 9mm or .40S&W, barrel no less than four inches no more than 6) If I had it to do again today I'd buy a Shield Plus with a 4inch barrel.

I sold every gun I own that didn't fit that criteria. and started over again with an emphasis on 9mm Glocks.

Eight years later I own less than 10 guns and only four of them would meet the city's criteria but over half of them will operate with a Glock 19 magazine

 

[jlr87105]

I was born 1951 and raised in semi-rural (at that time) Maryland between Baltimore and Washington DC
The first round I ever fired was a 12G shotgun out over the river at 5 or 6 yo. A single round was loaded in it, and "shoot out that way". Well, I tucked the SG up under my arm, pointed it out over the river, and pulled the trigger. The shot went out over the river, and I went the other way ass-over-tincup. THAT put the respect for what firearms can do in me that remains to this day. To this day, I inspect the chamber or cylinder of every firearm I am handed, even if I just handed it to another person and they hand it immediately back to me. I check every firearm I pick up, every time.
My first "owned" rifle - J.C. Higgins single-shot bolt-action .22 - it went away sometime.
I had unrestricted access to my grandfather's Stevens model 22-410 at 10 years old to keep squirrels, grackles, and chipmunks out of the bird feeders.
My 1st owned pistol, an Interarms imported Walther PP in .380 - 1974 - it got away from me to a pawnshop sometime.
From then on, it was an increasingly slippery slope into a full-blown gun owner with a minor acquisition problem - "ohhh that's cool"
Over the years I've owned many different brands of handguns, but by far, my favorite is S&W; they just feel right.

 

[Msmith301]

This thread is mainly for those born in the 70s or earlier, but everyone is welcome to join.

• How did you get into shooting?
• Were guns always around in your home?
• Did your fathers or grandfathers own or carry?
• What was your first gun, and what was the first you really wanted (even if you never got it)?

For me:
No family background with firearms, but I was always drawn to anything that made noise. In the 80s I read gun magazines regularly, and I was heavily influenced by Punisher comics (especially the Weapon Specials). Sledge Hammer and Dirty Harry made me want a .44 Magnum. Later, a 10mm S&W 1076 (Sonny Bonds, Police Quest II), and then a Glock.

My first gun was a S&W PC .45 ACP – like the black one in the picture, but mine has a satin finish. Next came a 629 Classic .44 Mag with a 6" barrel. My third handgun was a Glock 17, though I've always preferred the 19.

Even my Winchester was a compromise: I wanted an 1873 in pistol caliber, but ended up with an 1894 in .30-30.

I think every avid gun owner has owned the 629 in 6" or 8" barrel at one time or another. I've had 2 of them. Both of them pre Hillary locks. Had to sell the first one when I moved to NYC. Still have the second on 30 years later. Also had to sell a gorgeous Colt .45 70 series Gold Cup competition model in the wooden box with blue felt and extra magazine. This thing was like new. First wife bought if for me as a Christmas gift in the late 80s. Probably the only one I kick myself for not trying to keep somehow.

 

[Phenix]

This thread is mainly for those born in the 70s or earlier, but everyone is welcome to join.

• How did you get into shooting?
• Were guns always around in your home?
• Did your fathers or grandfathers own or carry?
• What was your first gun, and what was the first you really wanted (even if you never got it)?

For me:
No family background with firearms, but I was always drawn to anything that made noise. In the 80s I read gun magazines regularly, and I was heavily influenced by Punisher comics (especially the Weapon Specials). Sledge Hammer and Dirty Harry made me want a .44 Magnum. Later, a 10mm S&W 1076 (Sonny Bonds, Police Quest II), and then a Glock.

My first gun was a S&W PC .45 ACP – like the black one in the picture, but mine has a satin finish. Next came a 629 Classic .44 Mag with a 6" barrel. My third handgun was a Glock 17, though I've always preferred the 19.

Even my Winchester was a compromise: I wanted an 1873 in pistol caliber, but ended up with an 1894 in .30-30.

Born in 1956.
All my relatives and ancestors that I ever knew were/are rural/farm people in SW Missouri. Almost all the men and boys had multiple guns and hunted. None except my Dad and one uncle ever carried a handgun sometimes as far as I know. Most of the men owned pistols, but rarely shot them.
I got my first BB gun on my 7'th birthday. Got my first .22 when I was 8 1/2.
Started shooting starlings, sparrows, frogs (we ate the frogs) and grasshoppers right after I got the BB gun. Was allowed to go hunting with my .22 alone or with other responsible men and boys by age 9.
From as far back as I can remember (mid-to-late diaper period) guns were all around the house. Gun rack on the wall for some of them. Never had any safety issues. No one I knew had a safe until the 1980's.
My Dad let me know from the git-go that if I ever shot or damaged anything I wasn't supposed to and he found out about it he would take my gun and break the stock across my butt.
Point was well taken.
He taught me how to shoot, and I got really good at it, and have been ever since. At my peak with a .22 rifle, starting when I was about 14 years old, a sparrow sitting on the fence or a gate around the house or barn lot out to about 35 yards with iron sights was in great mortal danger. Rarely missed. At 50 yards 80% to 90% kills using a cheap 4 power scope. Offhand. Almost 100% from a halfway decent rest at 50 yards with a scope. Killed a lot of birds and small game well beyond that.
Have been able to stay out of trouble with guns all my life, thankfully.
So has my son.

 

[DWalt]

I was not born into a gun nut family. My dad was an occasional squirrel and rabbit hunter, but maybe a few times per year. The family Arsenal included only an ancient H&R single shot 12 gauge and a single shot Montgomery Wards bolt action .22 rifle. My father's best friend lived in a very rural area, and we would occasionally shoot the .22 at his home. My interest in guns really began in high school mainly because my best friends did come from gun nut families, and I would go shooting with them frequently, also joined a Boy Scout rifle club during high school. Later, in college, I was in Navy ROTC and joined the NROTC rifle and pistol team. After graduation was when my affair with guns started to bloom, after I was making enough money to start buying them.