Collection of Firsts: Shot and Owned

[Mongo44]

In looking through my firearms, I grin at the realization that I still possess all those that were, categorically, my first ever to shoot and the first I ever owned. I like that.

Each item is identified as "Shot," for the first of that category that I ever shot; and "owned," for the first of that category that I acquired. I will post photos of all of them.

Interestingly, the first trigger I ever pulled belonged to a rimfire firearm, but it was not a rifle or pistol, but a shotgun. It also was not a .22 caliber rimfire...

They're as follows:

First Shotgun AND First Rimfire: This is the first gun that I ever shot.
Winchester Model 36 "Gardener's Companion" 9mm Flobert rimfire bolt action shotgun.

First Shotgun: Owned
This is the shotgun with which I learned to bird hunt.
Stevens Springfield Model 94B single shot .410. This was also my dad's very first gun that he acquired in 1939 or 1940.

First Centerfire Rifle: Shot
Model 94 Winchester .30-30, iron sights

First Centerfire Rifle: Owned
Browning BLR .243 with Redfield Widefield 6x scope

First SAKO: Shot and Owned
L46 HB .222 with custom stock. Forgot what the original scope was at the time.

First .22 Rifle: Shot
Belgium made Browning .22lr semi-auto, iron sights

First .22 Rifle: Owned
Browning BL22, .22 s, l, lr, lever action, iron sights

First Pistol: Shot
Smith & Wesson Model 41 .22lr semi-auto

First Pistol: Owned
Colt SAA New Frontier .45lc

I could go further into subcategories of "firsts," but it would be silly and would take far too much time.

Do any of y'all still have any of the first firearms that you shot or owned? Or, are they still "in the family?" What were they?

 

[stonecreek]

I still have my first Sako (shot or owned), a Finnbear .264 with its original Leupold Vari-X 3-9, acquired in 1965.

 

[Mongo44]

I still have my first Sako (shot or owned), a Finnbear .264 with its original Leupold Vari-X 3-9, acquired in 1965.

Nice! Never shot or owned a .264, but have heard all positive reports on its performance.

 

[sws1213]

My first Sako was a 270 given to me by my parents around 1970 or 71. I recently passed it on to my youngest son upon his graduation from medical school.

 

[Mongo44]

This was the first of all of 'em. Winchester Model 36 rimfire 9mm Flobert. Interesting little thing!

 

[Mongo44]

This is the little Springfield Stevens 94B with which I learned to shoot dove and quail. Man, this gun has seen some serious time in the field. Bore is mirror shiny after close to 80 years and The Man With the Big Hat only knows how many rounds put through it. I have some "fine" shotguns, but this little baby has a place in my heart that few in my collection do.

 

[Mongo44]

First Centerfire Rifle that I shot was the 1952 Winchester Model 94. The rifle has been in the family for a long time and bears a few of our family ranch brands inlayed in its hide, as well as a cow skull on the opposite side. This rifle has harvested a healthy number of deer, hogs and a turkey or so and is also one of my favorites. Great shooter and extremely pristine given that it's over 65 years old.

The rifle on the bottom is the First .22 Rifle I acquired, which is a BL22. Great little rifle and fun to shoot!

 

[Mongo44]

My first rifle. Browning BLR .243 with a Redfield 6X scope and detachable magazine. This rifle is a great workhorse and has never let me down.

 

[Mongo44]

First Sako I ever shot and first one acquired. L46 "Riihimaki" .222 HB with custom stock with Nikon Prostaff 3-9x40. Heavy rifle, but if I ever need to thread a needle up a Gnat's butt at a couple hundred yards without drawing blood, this'll do it.

 

[Mongo44]

This semi-auto Belgian Browning is the first .22 rifle I ever shot. When I shot it, it didn't have the little Weaver scope on it that you see in the photos.