First gun goofs

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Light_burn

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Oct 2, 2025
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When I got my first handgun, I was so wrong about everything. I cleaned it way too much, put a bad sight on it and hardly practiced the basics. It turns out that cool gear doesn't fix bad habits. I learned the hard way that practice is way better than expensive stuff. Who else got experience to share?
 
Yeah, I get that. When I got my first handgun, I was way more into getting all the cool stuff for it instead of learning how to shoot. I changed the grips, got some fancy holsters and even a red dot even though I didn’t need it. The first time I went to the range, my shots were all over the place. Eventually, I just went back to the basics (iron sights and a good grip) and just practicing a lot without ammo. It's funny but that's when I started getting good
 
I messed up my first time with a handgun too, I put the magazine in backward and felt like an idiot, I figured out that practice is way more important than having the coolest equipment
 
My first rifle had all the tactical stuff you could imagine but I couldn't hit anything. Once I worked on how I pulled the trigger and kept things steady, it all changed.
 
I damaged my first hand gun with a bulged barrel (Gov't 1911). Everything was fine as far as powder type, sizing and bullet seating/depth, etc. The gunsmith said it was a short load that caused excessive pressure. This has caused a bunch of arguments over the years since. I agree with the gunsmith.

I solved the issue by getting a programmable electronic scale and a trickler. But the disagreement continues whenever I want to start an argument.
 
This topic got me to thinking. I guess it was back when I was in my senior year in high school.

I was just starting out loading for my 12ga Ithaca model 37, and I decided to try some steel ball bearings for a load. So I loaded up just 2 shells and head to the swamp to try them out.
Well on the first firing I notice that the pattern was not so good over the water and then I looked at the end of the barrel and noticed that the barrel was not so good either!
Oh, S... I said, my barrel is now split at the choke and my new Ithaca is ruined, but I did eventually send it to Herter's and had a Poly choke installed.

So there u have it, my big GOOF some 60 yrs ago...........
On note; my son is still using the 37 to this day in Arizona with his son.
 
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Mine was a second gun error. My grandfather gave me a Sears 22 single shot for my 12th birthday. Gun #2 was my high school graduation present: I chose a Ruger Single Six Convertible. Nice gun but my brother chose an OM Blackhawk in 41 mag. Upon reflection, I SHOULD have chosen a 357 OM Blackhawk! But that old 22/22WMR served me faithfully, so it wasn't too bad of a choice! I carried it over the next two summers working my cousin's mining lease for "snakes and such critters".
 
Unshaven2897 said:
I damaged my first hand gun with a bulged barrel (Gov't 1911). Everything was fine as far as powder type, sizing and bullet seating/depth, etc. The gunsmith said it was a short load that caused excessive pressure. This has caused a bunch of arguments over the years since. I agree with the gunsmith.

I solved the issue by getting a programmable electronic scale and a trickler. But the disagreement continues whenever I want to start an argument.
Click to expand...
Renton Indian said:
Ive never been able to break an 1911, Raging Bulls, Pythons, no problem.
Click to expand...
I bought the 1911 from a retired detective who did a LOT of course competitive shooting. It was highly modified which included a ported barrel and the nut replaced with an extension to match the custom barrel. I have a feeling that these parts might have been part of the reason for the mishap. I still have the shooter and it is absolutely my favorite hand gun. It's a bit loose in its old age but its still more accurate than I am esp in my old age.
 

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