What was your first shotgun?

My first round of trap at 13 was with a high end Parker 20 gauge SXS. I shot a 13 and my second was a 15. A young lady shooter allowed me to shoot her Model 12 trap and I shot a 21. A while later my dad bought me a model 12 trap that I used for everything. My first registered shoot at 14 I shot a 92. Then I retired because I was more interested in girls. I shot the odd time and I did shoot a straight with my dad's Model 21 and I shot well with a broadway trap that my dad owned.

My first new gun I bought for myself was a field lightning superposed. I did not shoot much but the straights came easy when I did. Shot a lot of 96s and 97s but did not win much because I did not practice a lot and trap was a game of being perfect. I got punched to the 24 1/2 yard line and then I got a bit foolish and bought a bunch of higher end trap guns. I found I did well with Perazzi singles and doubles. I eventually traded in my perazzi singles for a Ljutic mono gun. My first three fields were straight but I lost 2 in the last five on the last field. The second day I ran the first three again but lost my second last target. The 197/200 qualified me for a shoot off in B class at the provincials. I lost just one target in the shoot off. Shot lots of 100s in practice and a few at non registered shoots but never registered. I decided that even though I won a whole bunch of useless hardware and made quite a bit of Calcutta money I could not afford the pursuit of perfection.

Now I shoot for fun and find that I still can shoot straights here and there but I find I shoot more straights at gun down skeet than at trap. Since one still needs to be perfect at trap I now only shoot for fun.

I tried sporting clays and I found that I did really well and it was a lot of fun but the cost and the politics of registered shooting is not my thing. Now I only shoot non registered just for fun, mostly at a club I am member at. Even though I have only shot a couple rounds of registered in the last 4 decades my club will not let me shoot handicap at less than 25 yards. Makes me feel good that some out there think this old guy is still a threat:)
 
My first shotgun was CBC Model#402 in 28ga. About a year later, I was gifted with an 1970's Remington 870 Wingmaster combo in 12ga, the worst jam-o-holic of a pump gun I've had the misfortune of meeting. I've had many shotguns over the years, SXS's, O/U's, singles, and various slide-actions, I've settled on what works for me, the Benelli Nova. It ain't pretty, but it fits me like a glove.
 
686 Silver Pigeon I

I should've went that route and bought a B 6 series but I was young, dumb and not quite yet full of... You get the picture. I was 12 and my military type uncle asked me what I would like as my first shotgun and OF COURSE I said, Mossberg 500 with 18" barrel and pistol grip. Hey, I was 12 and tacticool was still tacticool(ish) 40 years ago.
 
I bought a CIL single shot 20ga from our neighbour when I was 15 or 16 (over 30 years ago now - it's hard to remember for sure). Happiness was a new box of Canucks. :)
 
The first shotgun I purchased was the Benelli M2 field 26inch back in December of 2017. Since then I have upgraded to a Beretta 690 with an adjustable comb 30 inch; this has been my go to for trap shooting.
 
The first shotgun I purchased was the Benelli M2 field 26inch back in December of 2017. Since then I have upgraded to a Beretta 690 with an adjustable comb 30 inch; this has been my go to for trap shooting.

I see you had a very humble beginning in the sport:)
 
It has been a very expensive hobby. I didn't realize, that being an RPAL owner would cost this much.

At lease it is cheaper than Track cars, sailboats, race horses, land speculation, the stock market, gambling, a bad drug habit and a Devorse. I only have experience with 5 of the 8 so I can't really call myself an expert.
 
It has been a very expensive hobby. I didn't realize, that being an RPAL owner would cost this much.

I never look at the price it costs for any of my hobbies. Do you go to work everyday. If yes you deserve it
Life is very short and can change in a minute do what you enjoy
Money just comes and goes
Cheers
 
I never look at the price it costs for any of my hobbies. Do you go to work everyday. If yes you deserve it
Life is very short and can change in a minute do what you enjoy
Money just comes and goes
Cheers

Great post. Every once in a while something happens and reminds us to remember this.
 
Cooey 20 ga in 1963, 1 & 1/2 " cut off the butt. First round of trap & skeet, Winchester 1200's. First duck & pheasants were with a Rem Sportsman 58 in 12 ga
 
870 express tactical. Sold it and got a Winchester model 12. Sooo worth it! I'm doing a trench conversion on it, but keeping the original 28" mod barrel also.

I intend to try it for ducks next fall, to replace my semi auto a400.
 
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