My first foray into something beyond a pump up BB gun was a '1000fps' Chinese break barrel gun that I saved up for as a kid. I'm sure it was a 500fps gun as it was very inexpensive. Likely a B3-1 or similar. Anyway, I still recall getting it in. It was dark and I went outside to shoot it and of course it dieseled terribly and to this day, every time I smell dieseling, I recall that day.
The next one was my first time into a 'real' adult airgun. I was maybe 8 and had been wanting to take a .22LR out by myself. My dad wouldnt let me and as I was pleading my case, explaining how I was allowed to take a BB gun out on my own, he said 'you can take any bb gun out you want, but you arent taking that .22 out until you're older'. I made up my mind to get the biggest and baddest 'BB gun' I could afford. That was an RWS 36. I saved for two years picking beans and selling coon hides to buy it and after counting out money to my mom to write a check, I waited the '6-8 weeks for delivery' (remember those days?)... it arrived and I was maybe 10. Never mind the fact that I could barely cock it, hold it and had no knowledge of a 'real' springer... it was mine.
Years later at the age of 16, when cars and girls took over, I sold it. Listed it locally and a large older guy came and got it.
Years later after getting out of the Army, I got back into adult airguns and through the old Fun Supply forum, met Cecile Whiteside. Turns out, he lived nearby and it was actually him who bought my 36 years prior. He wouldnt sell it back to me and so I went to the auction after his passing to try to get it. At the time, I was on call for work and I ended up getting paged and missed the opportunity to get that gun back.
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