Chipmunk Medford, OR

Captain_coues

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LAST EDITED ON Apr-03-16 AT 03:16PM (MST)[p]My first gun was a Chipmunk. I didn't have a BB or Pellet gun but I was around them with other friends. I learned later on that my dad made sure my first Rifle was a 22. He brought me along to purchase it back in 1983 or 1984. I was five or six. It wasn't for my birthday or any special day that I remember, he just figured it was time to get me one. We picked it up at a Hardware Store called Walt's Western Hardware, in a town in northern AZ called Holbrook. Back then, Hardware stores would sell guns.
I learned a lot with this gun. Things like hold over, leading, peep sights, and safety. Growing up in a small town, it was real easy to do a lot of shooting because we only had to travel 10 or so minutes to do it. It was not uncommon to shoot three times a week and in the summer months much more. It helped that my dad was always ready to go too.
With it being a single shot, my fingers would be both sore and filthy by the end of the day. My right hand would load and my left would kock it. So my right hand was dirty and my middle and index finger on my left hand would be sore and sometimes swollen.
Safety was the most important thing I think I learned with it. One moment sticks with me to this day. My dad and I were shooting in the hills outside Holbrook. I think he just brought one of his pistols and I brought the Chipmunk. It was pretty kick back, he would watch me shoot for a while and then he would have some fun. It was during his time, I was just standing there watching him and them BOOM! I had just shot a bullet into the ground about 15' in front of us. It scared the hell out of me and I think I started crying. I had a bullet chambered and must have had my finger on the trigger just squeezing it and then it went off. My Dad handled it like a champ. I guess he could tell that I knew I Phuuuuuuked up. Normally, something like that, he would thump on me and we go home. Instead, he talked to me about it for 5 minutes and we did more shooting. That was a pretty important lesson.
Any of you guys have start with the Chipmunk? I still have mine.
1750chipmink.jpg
 
Regrettably I do not have the Savage Mannlicher stocked single shot 22 that my dad bought me, way back in the late 50's. I do have the second rifle... a model 61 Winchester (enough said) and I cherish it to this day.

I loved your story and it reminded me of the many shooting, teaching moments with my son and daughters. You're younger than some and older than a couple of my kids so I suspect your dad and I came from the same vintage.

Keep up the good work and always pass it on to the next generations!

Thanks for sharing.

Zeke
 
LAST EDITED ON Apr-07-16 AT 06:37PM (MST)[p] My first gun was a Winchester model 77 semi auto .22. It was my granddad's and my dad gave it to me . what I remember most is the bolt cocking lever about half way down the forearm on the left side was right where a 6 year old kid's thumb rested. several barked thumbs later I learned what not to do.

I still have it.














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