Glad I found this site. I really like the focus to stay on guns and not go off on other topics that so often get controversial discussions going on other forums. I also like the code of conduct, particularly the prohibition on Drive-By posting.
My first experience with guns was when I was maybe 10 years old, a friend took me with his dad and a few other men to a field to shoot guns. They were shooting clay pigeons with a 12 gauge. The gave me the gun and told me to shoot one, so when they launched it I shot at it. The men were in somewhat of a semi circle with me in the middle. As I remember, the shot ceme out closer to the guy on the far right (shame on him for standing in front to the side of a kid who never shot before). They took the gun and my shooting was over for the day. But the experience was something. I remember the kic of that 12 gauge on my skinny little frame was quite substantial. At least I hugged the butt to my shoulder, but my memorey is that the kick made me have to take a step backward to keep from falling over.
My next gun experience was in my early 20s when all the guys got the fad for hunting but were not really into hunting so much as going up north to wreak havoc in the woods at my friends 10 acres. I only shot the 12 gauge Winchester Model 97 and a Savage 12 gauge double barrel I had purchased. And once a pistol someone handed me a Dan Wesson 38 with a long barrel, which I shot once. We did some stupid things including making cut shells, where you cut the plastic of the shotgun shell between the charge and the BBs so that the end comes out like a slug and then when it hits something it spreads. We shot up some saplings we had bend over at point blank for fun. Kid took some other guys up there one time with armor piercing shells and shot up the place. We did also actually try some deer hunting there. I assure you I am no longer that irresponsible to misuse a gun like that.
Hunted down in Georgia once when my friend was in college down there. My friend bagged a dear and were were dragging it out, crested a hill as a small deer ran across our path. At that instant we heard a rifle shot, which drilled the deer longitudinally, and I still recall hearing the bullet whizz by. Scary. I don't want to go hunting where others are hunting. But I never had that much desire to hunt and going back to school occupied my time, then I got married. So I did not do anything with guns after that for decades. I sold the double barrel, but still have the Winchester Model 97 12 gauge.
Fast forward to 2020. In December I bought a S&W SD9 VE pistol in 9mm. This was for home protection given the state of unrest in many cities across the nation that year. Later in May 2021 I went back and grabbed a S&W 642 38 Special revolver and my desire to shoot the semi-auto is low since getting the revolver which is much fun to shoot. If I had it to do over again I would get a smaller pistol like the Ruger LCP for a backup and carry the revolver as my main defense. However, I don't carry, don't have a permit, and am hoping my state will someday go constitutional carry so I don't have to get a permit.
My user name was the result of several failed attempts to find a name not already in use. I asked to change it but am now becoming rather fond of it. If they change it I requested to be called Elvino, a character from one of my favorite operas.