Really enjoyable stories!
My brothers and I were not allowed bb guns as kids. Dad had a 22 single and a sporterized 303 but we were a bit wild... so not much shooting. While in the Air Force in '75, a pack of dogs started tearing up my flower bush, so I bought a 760 to deal with them. Terrible rifle. Couldn't hit a can at 5 yds consistently. Later found some Benjamin's at a Yelllow Front and was really impressed and shot a fair amount. THEN a co-worker told me about a Beeman ad in the back of the American Rifleman mag circa 1978. THAT'S what started it all for me. Blame Beeman.... master marketer.
Funny story about that though. Ordered an FWB 124 and it came right before going back to visit my folks in Tx. I took it along but didn't have time to shoot hardly at all before. Stopped to visit my sister and husband and we sat on his porch and plinked at stuff. He outshot me with his $20 Crosman and made a lot of fun of my "expensive " rifle. Went on to visit my mom and younger brother was there .... same thing. He could hit cigarette butts at 20 yds with BBs consistently while I was struggling to hit them at all. Well..... you al know why.... between the springer shooting and stock screws, etc., there was a lot of education to be had. I still have that 124 and it's a VERY good shooter.
Bob