How many people here...

[Gato Montés]

...learned most of what they know about firearms from their father, and how many had the exact opposite? I grew up with firearms, which were my fathers but I tell ya, in the last two years I've played the role of mentor and he's been the stubborn, hard headed student. Four years in the military, twenty-two years of hunting and he still sometime talks and acts like a newbie. "No, I'm not lying; you CAN fire .38s out of a .357." "You know, to maintain your 870, every once in a while you have to do more than just removing the barrel." "It's a magazine dad, for the last time, A MAGAZINE!" (I hate that one).

Of course, growing up in these times gives me a vital recourse, the internet (in which I get most of my information from The High Road, so I know it’s accurate. )

Now it's not like he's a complete twat with a gun, but some of these things I consider common knowledge and the fact he is completely unaware is somewhat funny to me.

Does anyone else here share my experience, or am I all alone on this one?

 

[BADUNAME13]

My Dad's not into guns, but does own a couple... I can remember 2X he took me shooting.

Just naturally a gunnut I guess...

 

[CajunBass]

My dad didn't know the first thing about guns. I've got an old Sears Pump action 12 ga that was his "turkey shoot" gun. That's the only time he ever shot it that I know of. I never have shot it.

What I learned I learned from Outdoor Life, Field and Stream, Guns and Ammo, and a half a hundred other books and magazines. And by doing.

My boys never had any interest until they were grown and gone. I don't see them much anymore, so I don't know what they learned or how.

 

[cslinger]

Most of what I learned came from my cousin's husband/then boyfriend when I was a kid. I picked up the rest myself though use, experimentation(I was well versed in safety and basic operation at this point. This is not to imply just playing with guns dangerously. I just mean trying new actions etc.)

Chris

 

[brentwal]

Dad was never a gun nut or a fudd, but we had guns around the house all the time I was growing up. Don't get me wrong Dad hunted and all but it was always for the meat, not for the idea of just going out a hunting. His guns were tools to him, nothing more.

He was well versed in proper gun handling and taught me well. I think he really liked guns more then he let on, I think he sacrificed buying any new guns for himself, so the rest of family would have new goodies. A few things stick out that, as I think back on them tells me he was more of a gun nut then he let on.

He bought me and made sure I could handle.
My first .22lr, a Stevens Model 89
My first SG, a Stevens Model 9476 in 20ga
My first center fire rifle, a Marlin 1893 in .30-30. This turned out to be the most interesting gun I own. He bought it at an estate auction of a retired Judge, the Judge kept it because it was the weapon used in the first murder trial he ever had. Don't worry I got a paper trail on this thing that leds back to the Sheriff's Office.
And my first pump shotgun, a Ithaca M37 in 12ga.

He always was looking for a Savage Model 99 in .300 Savage, but never could find one in good shape, he sort of gave up looking, but I kept a lookout.

Last year I found one that had been beautifully reblued with a good looking stock. But I was four years too late to see the look on his face.

 

[Babarsac]

As far as I know my father has never touched a gun, and I'm the first one to ever own firearms in the family. When it finally warms up I hope to take him shooting.

 

[JP1954]

When my dad was in the military during WWII, he said he had trouble qualifying with his 1911. He didn't own a gun after he got out of the service.
He didn't hunt and was just not interested in firearms. I enjoyed shooting pellet guns when I was a kid. Eventually I wanted a firearm. After completing a NRA Hunter Safety Course, my folks let me buy my first gun, a Remington bolt action 22cal rifle which I still own. Since then I have accumulated a few more firearms. I don't hunt but I like to shoot now and then and I like the feeling of knowing I am not unarmed when I am at home.

 

[Erebus]

My father was raised around guns and has very good habits and skills. However when he moved the family from northern NH to north central MA do to getting a better job he was forced to leave his guns behind. I was quite young at the time. He tried to get a permit in MA at the time and apparently the police chief in the city we lived in didn't like giving permits out and just had his officers badger people until they went away instead of giving permits.

He was so put off by this that he will not even apply for a permit now even though with a clean record it's a breeze(new police chief). So I learned most of my firearm skills at cummer camp. I remember going shooting with my father and uncle a couple times when we were in NH for a holiday or whatever reason.

He's glad that I have a permit and enjoy my guns but he still refuses to apply for a permit.

He now believes in a strict interpretation of the 2A and feels that if you accept a permit to own/posess guns you are accepting that the state may take that right away from you. I tend to agree but there is little other choice except to take a chance you end up in jail for a long time. Personally I think everywhere it should be like VT. Unlimited gun rights until you commit such action that you demonstrate you are untrustworthy.

 

[wooderson]

My father owns a reasonably large arsenal (for most people - probably would be about average for the 60-year old THR type), mostly cowboy action stuff, occasionally I have a hard time convincing him of new and crazy innovations in the world of firearms (or in areas where he's just plain wrong).

Old guys be set in their ways, you know?

 

[HiroProX]

Mostly from my granddads and my mom.

 

[U.S.SFC_RET]

I just like another poster, my father wasn't a gun nut but I grew up around the house with them. He never taught me to shoot, that was on my own. His main interest was home protection.

 

[308win]

My dad appreciated guns and enjoyed using them. Unfortunately he coldn't afford everything he wanted - must run in the family.

 

[JWarren]

My father put the first gun I ever touched in my hands-- a Stephens single-shot .410 shotgun. At 7 years old, he started my love of firearms, and today we still share that love together. Both he and I are now instilling that love of firearms in my liberal sister's child.

He's the safest person I know with firearms, and he taught me the lessons that became my foundation.


John

 

[Ala Dan]

When I was growing up, my father sold his two Colt .32 caliber revolvers for
fear that I would find 'em and cause a major catasrophe. I was 'bout four
years old when he finally decided too get rid of 'em.

 

[JWarren]

My dad appreciated guns and enjoyed using them. Unfortunately he coldn't afford everything he wanted - must run in the family.

308win,

I think that's the issue most of us will always face. :/


John

 

[koja48]

My Dad first, then other knowledgeable mentors along the way.

 

[Kimber1911_06238]

My dad started my off with my first rifle at 6....after that my interest in shooting/hunting grew tremendously. Now I listen to everyone and try to learn as much as i can.

 

[Jrsmith]

My dad used to hunt and shoot with his buddies from time to time, but that was mostly before I was old enough to shoot or hunt, by then he didn't bother with hunting or shooting anymore...

My grandpa, however, taught me everything I know about hunting, shooting and gun saftey. He even gave me my first gun when I completed my hunters saftey course, a sweet .410 side-by-side break apart which i still use often.

When I started buying handguns in the past year, my dad has gotten more interesting and I think he's going to buy a 9mm this spring for general plinking at our farm.

 

[Hardtarget]

First was my Dad. We hunted and informal target shooting. Then it was my cousin. About 10 years older but 20 years ahead in terms of marksmanship.

My Dad does not shoot at all now...but he does keep a pistol and shotgun at home for defense.

Mark.

 

[Hemicuda]

My Dad is entirely responsible for my love of firearms... he gave me my first BB gun, .22 Rifle, .22 Handgun, Shotgun... and sold me, found for me to buy, or later on GAVE me a buncha the guns I call mine...

He involved me in hunting and competitive shooting as a kid, financed all my ammo for practice, and drove me to competitive shoots... (he even found a way when money was tight...)

He is the reason I love Guns and hunting... He and I still enjoy hunting, shooting and gun building/accurizing together...

 

[rust collector]

That's the thing about dads

They're not omniscient, and as we grow "smarter" we begin to realize that their knowledge, acquired long before the internet and based mostly upon their individual experience, local usage and maybe a bit of reading, has a few gaps.

The important thing is that Dad carried me through the marshes when I couldn't otherwise get through when we were duck hunting (I was armed with my popgun). He picked up the used Rem bolt single shot 22 when it was time to learn about such things, and he taught me gun safety long before the CO got a crack at me. And he passed on the love of guns and hunting he had shared with his dad. Now I'm a hunter safety instructor.

Being able to give him a sweet little 20 ga double for his 60th birthday was one of the things I've really enjoyed. I just wish I could be the wing shot he was, even if he couldn't carry on a conversation about barrel steels or ballistic coefficients.

 

[DogBonz]

Grandpa

Thats where I got most of my learn'in from.

Dad had 3 guns, and although he practiced and was a pretty good shot, he was a "car guy", not a "gun guy". He had a Win 94, a 1911A1, and a Browning 1910 that he carried in an ankle rig. He was a big linebacker, biker type who grew up the Bronx, and at 6'-2" 245 (not fat at all) he was more of an old school fist fighter who later in life took up Karate and would sooner knock someone out than go for his gun in most situations.

Gramps was different. A WWII veteran, he always wanted to make sure that I could shoot straight and fast. He always took me shooting and hunting because growing up in NYC, he and my father didn't get many chances to experience the out doors, even though he enjoyed it. He wanted me to be able to experience and enjoy those things, and because I was his only male grandchild, he gave me his Colt 1911A1 that he brought back from WWII.

Dad taught me to love cars and motorcycles, Grandpa taught (or exposed me to) my love for the outdoors and guns.

 

[tubeshooter]

My dad owned a couple, but was not into guns. I did not learn much of anything regarding guns from him, he died when I was a teenager so there was a lot less opportunity to do so. He did pull the bullet from a .22lr and burn the powder once for me and my brother. The grandpa that was alive when I was born was not into guns at all.

I have exactly one cousin who is more into guns than I am. Other than that, I am probably the biggest gun fan of the family.... both sides.


I have learned most of what I know from personal experience, this board and TFL. And the few nuggets of truth in gun rags, back when I first got into guns ( ).

 

[bill larry]

My dad is a big gun nut. He has lots of "toys" I envy, and is a fine shooter and teacher. I am blessed to have him, except that he gave me the disease too!

 

[JWarren]

Yep, you can't discount grandpa either.

My grandfather instilled the love of firearms in my dad, and did his share in me as well.


In today's age, we are getting more and more children who are being RAISED by grandpa's and grandma's because of so many divorces and other-wise deadbeat dads.

Just this morning, I saw a bit of that. My sister's ex-husband (a generally gold-digging, selfish, hypocritical jerk) is pretty much anti-gun. It eats him to no end that my father and I have begun to teach Harrison about firearms. The boy loves them. I couldn't get out of my mom's home without my nephew asking me 101 questions about firearms. He has taken an interest in WWII as well. I was happy to have the opportunity to tell him about how his great-grandfather (who died fairly recently) landed on D-Day and tell about the firearms he carried.


My response to the jerk ex-husband is that if he wanted to be the center of the boy's rearing, perhaps he shouldn't have run off with my sister's friend and moved out of state.

John