My Journey with Firearms: A Personal Account

From an early age, guns have played a significant role in my life, from toy BB guns to dangerous homemade experiments. This account will take you through my first experiences shooting with real guns and share the valuable lessons I learned in the process.

Starting Young: My First Real Gun Experience

Photo by Joe S. / Unsplashed

It all began when I was just six years old, during the 1963 hunting season. My dad placed me on his lap and handed me an M70 rifle. I squeezed the trigger, and that was my first real experience with a firearm. Over the years, I've amassed a collection of about fifty guns, and I've learned to reload every round I fire.

Childhood Lessons and Evolution

My father introduced me to the world of guns using a Polish .177 caliber break-action rifle. From there, I graduated to his .22 Mossberg bolt-action rifle. The pistol I encountered was a Ruger Mark 2, and my first shotgun was a Remington .16 gauge pump. These early experiences instilled a sense of respect and responsibility in handling such powerful tools.

Experimenting with Homemade Guns in Yugoslavia

My story continues in a less fortunate era, during a time when civilians in Yugoslavia had no chance of legally testing or owning real guns. Only on-duty officers or top politicians could carry firearms for personal use, and even then, it was often a carte blanche. Self-defense was not allowed, leading to a unique situation where police sometimes struggled to justify their actions.

Despite these restrictions, I had my own way of exploring firearms. At the age of eight, a friend who had fought in World War II gave me a 26mm German 26mm signal pistol. I crafted a 9x17mm blank gun, using it to create ammunition that I could fire. It was a fun and innovative way to test the limits of basic ammunition.

Early Practical Shooting Experiences

One of my earliest shooting memories is with my dad's Colt Woodsman .22 caliber rifle. Despite the fear and intimidation that come with such a powerful tool, my dad instilled in me the importance of respect and safety.

Slowly, I moved on to more advanced firearms. My first full-size handgun was a Glock 21, a .45 acp model. During one outdoor shooting session, I learned a valuable lesson. After firing a few rounds, a hot brass casing ricocheted back and landed on my sunglasses, causing an instant blister. This incident taught me the importance of staying calm and ensuring safety first, never my own safety at the expense of others.

Supporting a Novice: A Team of Friends

I once went shooting with two friends, one experienced and one brand new to the sport. My buddy Lowell, a great coworker in his early 60s, was excited to learn more about his new 9mm Glock 9mm, which he had recently acquired for concealed carry. We were there to guide him through the basics, including how to load the magazine, rack the slide, and sight in the firearm.

Lowell was very nervous, and this made it even more challenging to start. His first shot was off-target due to his hand being too low on the grip, causing the gun to flail around. With guidance, he learned to position his hand correctly and improve his aim. This incident highlighted the importance of patience and practice in mastering the art of shooting.

Conclusion: My journey with firearms has been filled with a mix of thrill and responsibility. Each experience, whether with a simple BB gun or a more advanced firearm, has taught me valuable lessons in safety and respect. Whether it's a child's first shot at an M70 rifle or an elderly friend learning to handle a Glock, the key is always in the practice and the mindset of respecting the power and potential danger of these tools.