The first firearm I put hands on was a shotgun.
I was probably 13 or so. A 12ga 1300 defender loaded with some bright red colored shells of the "Cooper" or "Coopers" brand (the name stuck with me, but I never saw that brand again). The way I fired My First Shot Ever is memorable and makes me laugh now:
Never having fired more than a BB gun before, I was quite intimidated by the fabled "knock-you-down-on-your-butt" recoil I was told of, so I stood with my back to a tree & planted the stock against the tree, under my armpit. The idea was that the tree would take the full "kick". Racked the action, and hesitantly fired it into the green yonder. Did this for 2 shots and then realized that the thing wouldn't actually knock me over if I put it at my shoulder. Oh, and the smell of burnt powder...
Also, the thrill, rush, and surprise of lightning fast reflex action shouldering & shooting quail as they take off at your feet as you walk in knee tall grass. Very visceral.
I was probably 13 or so. A 12ga 1300 defender loaded with some bright red colored shells of the "Cooper" or "Coopers" brand (the name stuck with me, but I never saw that brand again). The way I fired My First Shot Ever is memorable and makes me laugh now:
Never having fired more than a BB gun before, I was quite intimidated by the fabled "knock-you-down-on-your-butt" recoil I was told of, so I stood with my back to a tree & planted the stock against the tree, under my armpit. The idea was that the tree would take the full "kick". Racked the action, and hesitantly fired it into the green yonder. Did this for 2 shots and then realized that the thing wouldn't actually knock me over if I put it at my shoulder. Oh, and the smell of burnt powder...
Also, the thrill, rush, and surprise of lightning fast reflex action shouldering & shooting quail as they take off at your feet as you walk in knee tall grass. Very visceral.