First 22?

[jh45gun]

My first gun was a Marlin single shot 22 I was 12 followed 2 years later with a used marlin (glenfield) 30/30 it had a half tube instead of the full tube. Both are long since gone I got rid of the 30/30 when my dad died and I took his winchester figured I did not need 2 30/30's at the time and the 22 I got when I bought a new semi auto. The only thing I remember about the 22 is that it had a cocking piece on the back of the bolt. I do not remember if it was a marlin or the glenfield brand. The dumb things you do when you are young I wish I had both of them now as that was close to 33 years ago in 1969 when my dad passed away. I graduated from high school in 1970. I still have not learned and have gunitis as if I see a gun I want and can only afford it by trading or do not like a particular gun off it goes. Fortunately most of the guns I have now are proven performers, Or I just plain like and do not want to get rid of or are milsurps that are cheap and fun to shoot. So most of what I have at the time I will hang on to I jsut wish I would have had sense to hang on to them first two. Jim

[mostlyaccurate]

My first was a 22 cal Marlin 39A.  I was also 12.  Early November in '75 I paid $100 with money left from working that summer and my parents picked up the remaining $26 for my birthday.  I murdered many many squirrels and cleaned it almost as much.  I'm lucky.... I still have it and wouldn't take the world for it.

[Weatherby223]

My first was a 10/22 Ruger. That was until the Goverment banned all Semi Auto's and Pumps. Now i have a CZ 452e. I still miss the Ruger though. Not as accurate but i liked the quick follow up shot on game. :cry:

[jh45gun]

Mostlyaccurate, the first squirrel ( red) I ever shot with a 22 was with a 39 a old guy that lived near where we used to play as kids and explore in the woods let me shoot his 39 as we were walking in the woods. It was the first critter I shot with a 22. The 39 had a scope on it and I aimed for the head and got the squirrel but amost did'nt the head had a furrow right on the top of it, almost missed :-)  Jim

[jhm]

Winchester model 62 22 shorts only, that rifle accounted for so many fox squirels and a few ruffed grouse in mich. as a young man, it seemed like it led your arms to the target instead of you leading it to the target, good little rifle.     JIM

[Joel]

My first was an old english single shot bolt that you had to cock before you shot; don't even remember it's name.  In '58, when I was 12, my dad got me a used model 69 Win that he had drilled and tapped for a Weaver sidemount. Now, one clip, 3 scopes an about 4 refinishings later, I still have it and have long lost count how many critters I've killed with it.  Still shoots 1/2" groups at 50 yds.  Others, in fond passing, were a Model 39 "Mountie" that I should never have traded, and a Model 24 Savage 22/410 that was a great little squirrel gun.  Have two other 24's(22 Mag/20 and 22 Hornet/20) that aren't going anywhere; someone's going to inherit those, along with the 69.

[Dand]

mine was a 22/410 built about 1965 when they started getting pretty clunky.  I think I was 10 or 11. I was very small for my age - could barely lug the gun around and the hammer spring was so strong ( & I was weak)  that I had to hold the gun with my knees and use both thumbs to cock it.  I mostly sluiced spruce hens with the 410 but in a couple years I started collecting snow shoe hares with the .22.  When I could afford it I got my first real .22  - Marlin 39A. Later added a Browning/Win 52 B.  Love them both. I've picked up a CZ Scout youth for my boys to learn on - I don't want to share the Marlin or Win for a while. Still, I'll never sell the Savage - I still remember that Christmas morning and the first grouse I got.

[gunnut69]

I learned to shoot a 22 with an uncles old Winchester M67 SS.  When he died I was heartbroken but still broke and they sold the old M67 and his old Savage 311 at the farm sale.  I wish I could have bought it but I know who has both the rifle and the old 311.  I've many fine 22's including a half dozen M67's but I give a lot of money for that 67..

[Bigdog]

At the age of eight, I was given my first .22 by my maternal Grandfather.  The parents were a bit miffed, but the old coot was always cantankerous - "the boy should learn to shoot!" he'd say.  Thanks, Gramps!  Some 38 years later, I still have that little Stevens 15 single-shot bolt rifle.  I lost the knife and hatchet he also gave me, but I'll keep the rifle always.   :grin: