[rman]

I'd been asking for a .22 rifle for a couple of years, but no luck. On the morning of my 10th Christmas, I awoke to a cold, snowy day. My sister, brother and I were up bright and early as usual, in anticipation of opening our new treasures. We usually got things like a new pair of warm gloves, a stocking cap and a couple of nice toys. My brother and I were into farm toys and we usually got a Farmall tractor or something along those lines.

That year I can truthfully say I have no idea what I got except for what was in my last package. It was in a very large box - the kind that a file cabinet might come in. I was really interested because it was such a big package, but a little disapointed because I knew another Christmas was going to go by and I would still be gunless. I opened the box and to my great surprise, inside I found a cardboard box marked Winchester. Trembling in anticipation, I opened the box. It contained the most beautiful gun I had ever seen. It was a brand new Winchester Model 67A single shot .22. The stock was real walnut and the blueing was a sight for sore eyes. (Especially for a rifle that sold for a $21.00.)

I was in awe of this fine weapon. Instantly I had visions of hunting such dangerous game as cottontail rabbits and fox squirrels. I was so excited I couldn't wait to try it out. Unfortunately, it was not soon to be. First it was the Christmas package cleanup chore, then the farm chores - feeding and watering the chickens and the sheep. After that we all had to sit down to a nice breakfast in the dining room. (A special treat that only happened on holidays or when company was there. The rest of the time we ate in the kitchen.)

Finally, after what seemed like hours of agonizing delays, my Dad said, "OK Tom - let's take your new rifle out to the barn yard." When we got there he gave me a serious lecture on gun safety, showed me how the gun worked and handed it to me, along with a box of .22 shorts. With trembling hands, I loaded the gun, took aim at a tin can, squeezed the trigger like I had practiced with my Daisy Red Rider and low and behold - I hit the darn thing! I was instantly in love with this rifle and over the years it accounted for untold numbers of rabbits and squirrels. I guess if I had to pick an all-time favorite gun, that little 67A would be it.
Tom

 

[gunman42782]

Great story!

 

[n/a]

I agree...great story.

You should submit it to one of the shooting magazines for publication...who knows?

 

[RNettles]

I has touched my heart... great story!

 

[ghostrider_23]

My first gun my father gave me when I was 12. It was a 22lr. Savage bolt action rifle. The first gun I bought was a Taurus Pt101 in 40 cal. I know it was a Taurus and still to this day I hate the 40 cal. No wars intended. JMHO It has long been sold and I am happy to do so. I was not a big fan of the 92FS either when I was in the military. I enjoyed the 1911's a lot better

 

[Calvin Wiles]

Good story rman. My first gun was a Remington Single-shot. My dad had a Winchester Pump .22 that I learned to shoot, and then I got the Remington. I used it until a teenager and decided I need something faster so I got a Rem. Auto. I remember my accuracy dropped drastically, and my dad told me if I'd quit hunting with the auto and use the single-shot it would improve. I got rid of the Auto and used the single shot until grown. I still hunt with a single shot 30-06 and if I don't make the first shot count, I don't have a second. You learn all about shot placement that way.

 

[white dog]

My first rifle was a H.& R .22 single shot got for Christmas when I was 11. It had a heavy barrel, almost too heavy for an eleven year old. One time I had it raised to shoot at something when a mosquito bit my neck. I slapped at the mosquito and the gun went off right in front of my foot. I got my first hand gun when I was about 14. Bought it from a school mate for four dollars. It was an Iver-Johnson .32 that I kept hid in the barn so nobody knew I had it. One day it came up missing, I don't know if my Dad or one of my brothers found it but I never saw it again and nobody mentioned anything about it, especially me. I can relate to your single shot Calvin, but that is another story.

 

[Gutpile Charlie]

My first firearm was a Mossberg M 146B, .22, bolt action, tublar magazine rifle. I was about 14 years old at the time and had a paper route delivering the local paper. Had a Cushman motor scooter but still lacked a rifle. Went to the local Montgomery Ward store down town and they had the above mentioned rifle on sale for $25.00, out the door. This cheeky 14 year old handed over his $25.00 and took it home, in the box, on his Cushman scooter. After that I would go to my favorite shooting places around town, with the rifle on a sling, slung over my shoulder and motoring down the street on the trusty Cushman. (can you imagine doing that today?)

Yes, thoese were simpler times!

 

[Scarywoody]

My first firearm was a Ruger 10/22. Purchased in 1983 for $139. I have put countless rounds through with no problems. The only FTF were due to those increased capacity magazines. I still have the rifle. It looks almost brand new.

My first handgun, I built a 1911 from an 80% casting. I was living in New York and ,as you may know, they frown on handguns. Something about only wanting criminals to own them... Anyway, I wanted something for the home and decided to build one myself to learn about pistols. During the build I researched extensively online and had a lot of help from builders but especially Ed Brown. His tips and advice helped to make a fine custom 1911. I'll post pix if you want.

My "hobby" now is refinishing and breathing new life into old and surplus guns. I guess I'm in training for something to do when I retire in the next 20-30 years. Maybe by then I'll know what I'm doing.

 

[sheepdog]

Neat to make a gun! I'd not attempt that-Love to see the pics of yours! Did you ever find reliable 25-50 rd. mags for the 10/22?

 

[PLVMBTOOLMAN]

Hello,
I am a new member and this is my first post.My first gun was also a Winchester model 67.It was 1961 and I was about 12 at the time.I was living in Napa California at the time.I walked into Moore's Sporting Goods.There on the rifle display rack was a new Winchester single shot rifle.It was a model 67.I don't remember the letter part of the model number.It was the full size model and not the youth model.It cost me $20.00 plus tax.Mr.Moore called my mother for a background check.I also bought one box of shorts,a box of longs and a box of long rifles.Had alot of fun with that rifle.In 1967 I needed some money
to repair my first car,a 1955 English Ford Anglia,so I sold it to a friend who still has it.In about 1980 I traded a wards Hercules 12 gauge shotgun for another model 67.This one is the youth model.It shoots as well,if not better than my first one.My wife shoots it the most nowadays.My first Ruger,well that's another story.
PLVMBTOOLMAN

 

[Calvin Wiles]

PLVMBTOOLMAN, Welcome aboard. Drop in at the Early Rizers Coffee Shop and get aquainted. Sheepdog is buying the first round for all newcomers. Hope you enjoy it here.

 

[rman]

quote:Originally posted by PLVMBTOOLMAN

Hello,
I am a new member and this is my first post.My first gun was also a Winchester model 67.It was 1961 and I was about 12 at the time.I was living in Napa California at the time.I walked into Moore's Sporting Goods.There on the rifle display rack was a new Winchester single shot rifle.It was a model 67.I don't remember the letter part of the model number.It was the full size model and not the youth model.It cost me $20.00 plus tax.Mr.Moore called my mother for a background check.I also bought one box of shorts,a box of longs and a box of long rifles.Had alot of fun with that rifle.In 1967 I needed some money
to repair my first car,a 1955 English Ford Anglia,so I sold it to a friend who still has it.In about 1980 I traded a wards Hercules 12 gauge shotgun for another model 67.This one is the youth model.It shoots as well,if not better than my first one.My wife shoots it the most nowadays.My first Ruger,well that's another story.
PLVMBTOOLMAN

Don't hold back now! We'd like to hear the first Ruger story too.
Tom

 

[sheepdog]

Yup-that's the wonder of the Forum-we all give of our experiences and all are better for it-let 'er rip-we're listnin'---and you hit a good nerve when you said you like old things-we understand that!!!!

 

[PLVMBTOOLMAN]

I have had several friends over the years teach me the value of things.How things were once made and now.Forged vs cast.Steel and brass vs plastic.An item in most cases can be judged by it's weight.Case point,a car battery.A heavy one good and a light one cheap.Everything is disposible.When I was a teenager my local store sold a selection of replacement glass lens for flashlights.you could test light bulbs before you bought them.Go to your local car dealer and try to get a part for your 5 year old car.Sorry sir,I can order that for you and maybe get it two weeks.I guess even more than old things,I like the old days.I have been hoarding things for years.Extra parts for my old car and truck.Also most of my guns.One of the things I like about Ruger is them selling replacement parts to us gun owners.Most of them anyway.Handguns I like both pistols and revolvers,but perfer a revolver in if in harms way.On a good note,found $50.00 bucks lying on the floor at the gunshow.
PLVMBTOOLMAN

 

[sheepdog]

Excellent-I've been looking for that---and my address is......I know what you mean about the way things were made right-all the things that lasted were metal-heavy-wood-now plastic-and when they went plastic on triggers, sights, safetys, etc...made my heart sick. I worked at a hardware in High School for $1 hr...sold replacement lens and tested those light bulbs...and the old men then would heft something and say "No-don't want pot metal-I want steel." Now we'd rather have the pot metal than the plastic! Old guns, men, and dogs will stick with you, work harder, and be better company than the modern stuff...no offense to you young guys on the forum-we've got some fine ones-it's just that time weathers the stocks---come to think of it, the young ones get more holster wear....Goodnight, all...

 

[legacy38]

I grew up shooting my father's and brother's guns. I guess it was the summer between my sophomore and junior years in high school, I convinced my father to let me buy a FIE Texas Ranger convertable .22lr/.22mag. It sure was a piece of junk. I recently gave it to a buddy to use for practice in turning a barrel before he tried it on a Single Six. I learned my lessen to always buy the real thing and a couple of years later I got a real deal Super Single Six.

 

[Baldy]

I grew up with a Hamilton Rifle #027 in my hand. It was my grand fathers and he bought it new in 1905. It's a .22 short single shot and it cost $5.00. I still shoot it about twice a year. My grand father made a deal with me for a box of shells a month if I put two rabbits and a squirrel in the pot. It didn't take long before he told me that he was tired of rabbit and squirrel, but he would still buy me a box of cartridges every month. That turned me loose on ground hogs,wesels, and any other varmit I could get. At ten years old my uncle bought me a Remmington .22 single shot bolt action rifle and I was in hog heven. I still have them both. They are priceless.

 

[TnTut]

I have a Winchester Model 67 rifle that I got for Christmas back when I was a kid. It had belonged to one of my uncles and I had wanted it so my dad got it for me. I've always loved that gun.

 

[OREGONSHOOTER]

I grew up out in the country and cannot really remember not having access to a gun. My dad gave me an old single shot .22 short that he had bought for $6.00 when he was 10 years old, that would have been 1944. I still have it and shoot it once in awhile, I will have to look at it and see what it is. Since then I have collected a few , mostly S&W,(I know). However last week was my Bday and myfather in law drove 9 hours to give me my gift, It was his Police issue Ruger Service Six .357 Magnum. He had packaged it with all the accerories, duty holster, belt , speedloader pouches and 30 year old ammo. I shot it yesterday and WOW... Great Gun