Your first firearm

[Leighton Stallones]

Mine was a 16 ga Mossberg bolt action. In 1955 I Saw it,in the window of the local furniture store that also sold shotgun shells individually. I thought it was a wonder gun wit a clip that hels two shells and tha miraculous poly choke. None of my friends had anything so advanced. Still have it and use it for my first Dove hunt every year.

[Grantham Forester]

Originally Posted by George Lander

NO HABLA: But, yes, I did matriculate thru Roosevelt Roads when doing 5" 38 bombardment of Vieques & Culebra and the putas in Old San Juan were memorable to say the least. We tied up in Charagumus (sic) where we did battle with the Jarhead contingent from the EM Club back to the ship.

Best Regards, George

At the base "Acey-Deucey" NCO club, every Thursday night was Bacardi night at Rosie Roads-all you paid for was your set-up- I liked Bacardi white with club soda, ice and a big slice of lime-- Back then, when I was a machinist mate first class, we were rebuilding from the original installation of the WW2 era-We were working with some Sea-Bees on Vieqas Island , which was used for both gunnery and EOD practice, and it was outstanding and easy duty- we secured at 1500 each day, had 1 & 1/2 hours noon break, and the week-end started at 1200 on Fridays, and were were off duty until 0730 hrs. on Monday.

You could charter a boat all day for $25, the deep sea fishing was super, a case of Red Stripe in a iced up big cooler, plus sandwiches and apples and cold water was $10- so four of us would split that- beautiful clear diamond blue waters, clear cloudless skies, I'd go back in a heartbeat if I could--

[Tim Howsman]

Mine was a Sears single shot 20 gauge (from around 1970). Kicked like a mule!

[George Lander]

Originally Posted by Grantham Forester

At the base "Acey-Deucey" NCO club, every Thursday night was Bacardi night at Rosie Roads-all you paid for was your set-up- I liked Bacardi white with club soda, ice and a big slice of lime-- Back then, when I was a machinist mate first class, we were rebuilding from the original installation of the WW2 era-We were working with some Sea-Bees on Vieqas Island , which was used for both gunnery and EOD practice, and it was outstanding and easy duty- we secured at 1500 each day, had 1 & 1/2 hours noon break, and the week-end started at 1200 on Fridays, and were were off duty until 0730 hrs. on Monday.

You could charter a boat all day for $25, the deep sea fishing was super, a case of Red Stripe in a iced up big cooler, plus sandwiches and apples and cold water was $10- so four of us would split that- beautiful clear diamond blue waters, clear cloudless skies, I'd go back in a heartbeat if I could--

Grantham: Another interesting aside was when our ship arrived in San Juan waiting for on the pier was none other than Louis Armstrong and his band. He did a full concert for us and our sister ship, the Gearing DD-710. Singing with Satchmo was Bessie Smith who, i understand, passed away shortly thereafter.

Best Regards, George

[Paul P.]

One day my father brought home a Winchester model 67 22. I thought i owned the world that day. Dad didn't hunt or fish so him getting me a gun was the best thing ever.

[Ronald Moore]

A ruger 44 Magnum auto loader 79.99 , a Remington ylon 66, black, 46.50, a Remington 660, .308, ugly dog leg bolt handle, really cracked your knuckles when you shot it, replaced bolt in 1970, local gunsmith TC Kennon did job, I made friends with him and eventually learned how to work on guns with him, now collection stands at 117 guns, to many for some not enough for me. TC taught me to restock guns and checker, polish and blue. Great old man, lost him in 1988 I think.
Got my FFL in 1989, been working on guns ever since. Great hobby and bussiness.

Ron Moore
Rons Custom Guns.

[David Weber]

.410 Single shot from Western Auto. My 8 year old nephew killed his first dove with it a few days ago.

[King Brown]

.22 Mossberg 46B in 1940 before my father went overseas. BB-guns were forbidden in the family.

[Bindlestiff]

Originally Posted by King Brown

.22 Mossberg 46B

That was my second gun, I shot thousands and thousands of rounds through it. What a great gun it was! It was also stolen at the same time my first gun was lost

[WilliamJanelle]

Mine was a Montgomery Wards 12ga S x S, still have it in my safe. It was given to me by my great uncle Pete on my 12th birthday. He was an avid hunter and my parents were a little nervious about the gift. My uncle explained "give him a gun and get him in the woods hunting an you'll never have to worry about him". He was a wise man.