My dad let me shoot a desert eagle .45 when I was 9 years old. He showed me how to hold it, how to stand, and I emptied about 20 rounds into our target. I loved it, I still remember it to this day and I still have the box of empties. From then on, I loved handguns. I didn't really get into shooting handguns consistantly until I was about 15-16, but it sure wasn't because I didn't want to....

My first experience with firearms, both handguns and rifles, came at around the age of 19 when I was in college in the Midwest. I attended a small state school that had an active ROTC program. As part of my prep for entering the US Army Officer Corps (which did not happen, but that is another story), I started target shooting with various rifles from .22 to an Enfield .303 and both a Browning 9mm and .380.
My military experience was briefly the M16 while in basis training, then the rest of my time I worked in career fields that required handguns, mostly .38 snubbies.
After leaving the military, I spent way to much time in California, and got away from shooting. Now that I have moved back to a more gun friendly state, I am getting back into shooting again. Believe me, it is not easy after almost 30 years, to get back my shooting eye.

i first shot a 22 when i was 18 then nothing else until i recently turned 21 and went out and bought a 45 and have been at the range 3 times a week since i bought it

22.

At 14 with a new 1959 model Ruger Standard 4.5" barrel and I still have the pistol.

Originally Posted by nolexforever

i got into guns only a few months ago and i'm 28. went to a shooting range with my friend and i got hooked instantly. bought my first gun soon after.

Pretty much how it when down for me as well. A bunch of my friends always brought me to the range with them, so as soon as I turned 21 I bought my first handgun. Got my CC not long after.

Next spring I really want to start heading out to the local USPSA matches.

26. A buddy said,"Do you wanna buy this?" The price was right and I added a .45 less than a month later

I bought my 1st Ruger Single Six Cowboy gun when I was in college and I was really to broke to buy one.

I shot the sights off that pistol (figure of speech) - loved it, never a burp out of it - I have no idea how many boxes of '22 I shot through it - many more than any gun I've ever owned - with the exception of the Colt & Vaquero in .45 Long Colt that I shot SASS with for a couple of years.

My Dad hunted, didn't see much use for a hand gun.

I've had hand guns and long rifles ever since.

hardcore since 2004 , but ive alway been a fan since i was little

20 now and i cant wait untill i turn 21

I always had bb guns growing up. My mom would always take them away from me. Once I got old enough and moved out on my own my boss one day asked me to go to the gun shop with him he was goin to look at some safes. I was already contemplating getting a gun for work. I deliver bread 2am-12pm so I see a lot of shady people. Bought it and 3 days later shot my first round. I'll never forget how nervous I was to pull that trigger for the first time.. and when I did it was like I crossed over to another side or something... Been addicted ever since.

Well I just bought my first last week and I'm 52 must be a mid life crisis...

i got into handguns around the age of 8, my neighbors son sold me a old forhand arms .32 revolver in trade for a 12" GI Joe action figure........since then i've never not had one in my nightstand, and since 18 i've never gone a day without one on my person

I've been interested and been shooting them for a good many years. But I owned my first in my mid 30's. So that owns my vote.

just turned 21 and am finally getting my first!!! its on layaway but not for too much longer

I'm 60 and was never interested in hand guns. I always considered people who carried hand guns were either afraid of their own shadow, or freaks.

I guess it's true that you're never to old to learn. After numerous home invasions, car high jackings, and muggings of senior citizens in my area, (not to mention the current mess in DC) my wife and myself now have permits to carry. We go at least once a month to the range to practice with her Colt and my Glock.

It's sad. I never thought our civilized/educated society would revert back to this point!

Tom

I was set down at a bench on the Range in Johns Island, SC at about 6 or 7 with a rifle. After learning safety and controlled breathing I was introduced to small caliber revolvers and automatic .22's

I was eight years old when my dad gave my brother and I lessons in shooting with a pellet pistol. After two years or so of shooting that he let us shoot a Stoeger Arms Luger chambered in 22 long rifle. Shortly thereafter we were shooting rifles in 22LR and moved onto larger calibers. I joined the Marine Corps when I was 17 and was shipped off to Parris Island about three weeks after my 18th birthday. The rest is history!

While I had a pellet pistol at age 12, my first real handgun was a High Standard Sentinel - a 9 shot .22 with a 6" barrel - which I bought in my early teens. Before I graduated high school, my uncle gave me a box of parts which turned out to be an original Colt 1911 .45 (marked "US Government Property"). I still have it, now 45 years later, and in fact used it to qualify for my first concealed carry permit in 1995.

I was 18 and assigned to a ASROC control station for GQ on my ship. Colt 1911.

I've been interested for a few years now, but it was just a little bit ago when i shot my first one, I was and am 19.

I shot my grandfather's .357 when I was 15. Seems like yesterday, I am 54 now (where did the time go???).

Being 42 and just having bought my first handgun, I guess I'm a late bloomer.

However, I guess that means that I just have to shoot more to catch up to all of you...

I did not grow up with guns around us...the grandparents have them and did "the boys" but they were kept a secret from us girls (women).