Longtime gun owner. Got my start shooting .22 at Boy Scout camp. Best friend's dad had a FFL and a serious collection. Hung out there a lot, tried to absorb as much knowledge as I could, and started collecting myself after high school. And, as jobs and discretionary spending allowed. All purchases through said dad and his advice was generally sound and greatly appreciated, although I'm still annoyed at him for talking me out of an early Mac-10. He placated me with an IMI offering instead, although I really wish I had both. My buddies and I were avid bird hunters (duck, pheasant). Never really got into bigger game, although I have several rifles. My Remington 1100 with Choate pistol grip stock and extended mag is probably the one gun I'd keep if you told me I could only have one. Did a nice side hustle while in college by reloading 12-ga for my bird hunting buddies and the same said dad, for him to resell. Still have bags of lead shot, reloading equip, primers, empty cases, wads, cans of Blue-Dot, to make many hundreds of rounds.
Fast-forward 40 years, one marriage, 2 grown daughters, a divorce, remarriage, and I'm rekindling my active interest. Still have almost all the guns I ever bought. My current wife gets the blame/credit by saying: "Why do you have all these guns? You never shoot them." Good point. So, I took inventory, re-upped my range membership, and here I am. Partial to wheel guns for personal defense, due to reliability and not throwing casings around. I live in Seattle, an extremely hostile environment for gun owners. My Form-1 story could be its own thread. Thank goodness wife and I have a weekend place on the other side of the Cascades where folks are far more rational when it comes to guns, in general.
Very happy I found this site. As I said, hope to contribute as well as learn.
- MR