Remembering Your First Handgun: Do You Still Have It?

[Alan]

What was your first handgun? I remember mine being a bit of a handful! Do you still have it, and what’s your take on it now? I'd love to hear your stories or see some pics!

 

[Pistolero]

My first was a Ruger Standard four inch. I bought it new for $49 plus tax at Tiano’s Sporting Goods in Santa Fe. I was 18 years old. I transferred it to my youngerbbrother last year.

 

[Billinthedesert]

That was my first as well, with the six-inch barrel, given to me by Dad on my 18th birthday in 1971. Alas, I traded it off long ago.

 

[Manbeast]

Mine is a stainless Kimber Classic 1911. Had it on lay away a month before I turned 21 and was patiently waiting on the store owner to open on my 21st birthday. I still have it, shoot it and love it!

 

[HD-Ghost]

My first pistol was a Colt SAA, 7.5" .45 LC, nickel plated, with ivory grips. It also had a detachable stock. I grew up watching Clint's westerns, and liked the character Col. Mortimer (Lee Van Cleef). Dad had a SAA 4.75", with the action worked over for fast-draw. This I used to impersonate the "man with no name", and the long barreled Colt with a black long-coat for the Cleef's bounty hunter.

I wore this rig dove hunting one time, and decided it was too heavy for daily carry (I learned why they rode horses all the time). Sold it to buy my next gun, which was a Colt AR. My transformation towards the Army started my 9th grade.

 

[Billinthedesert]

The first centerfire handgun I owned was a Smith & Wesson Model 28 Highway Patrolman with four-inch barrel. I bought it on my 21st birthday from the PayLess Drug Store on south Willamette in Eugene, Oregon.

 

[Gene So]

The first centerfire handgun I owned was a Smith and Wesson model 28 Highway Patrolman with a six inch barrel. Bought used at a gun range, it had a tendency to misfire on occasion.

 

[Silvertip1]

My first handgun was a brand new first model Ruger Blackhawk Flattop single action .44 magnum. I bought it new from a gunsmith/firearms dealer when I was 14 years old, and the reason I was allowed to buy it was because my father & the gunsmith were very good friends, and the gunsmith made me promise to let my father keep it in his possession until I was 16 (back then there were very few restrictive gun laws in most states & people were much more responsible). I had saved most of my money I had made in the summer as a junior lifeguard to buy it ($96.50), because back then .44 magnums were all the rage, and I just had to have one and I couldn't afford the S&W .44 mag. I could barely afford to shoot it, because .44 magnum cartridges were extremely expensive at around $15 a box of 50. It took me years to become proficient with that firearm (cost of ammo + taming recoil), but after I did other handguns were a breeze to shoot. Anyway I still have it, and on rare occasion when I shoot it only .44 specials are run through; it is still in excellent condition with original grips. If I had to get rid of every firearm I have except one, that Ruger .44 mag would be the one I would retain...we've been through a lot together.