Lots of interesting stories in this thread. The first shotgun I was allowed to use was a Winchester model 24 .410. That was back in 1963 and I was 9, and our next door neighbor loaned it to me for a squirrel hunt. My dad gave me 2 shells and left me sitting beside a tree with instructions to only load one barrel. I managed to get a squirrel and borrowed it for a couple of other hunts that season. The neighbor was willing to sell it, but he wanted $40 and I didn't have $40.

He wound up selling it to another neighbor and I have tried to buy it several times without success. I traded for a 12 gauge Falcon when I was 14 and learned to be a decent wing shot with it. My grandfather used a 311 as his quail gun and I inherited it when he passed. Neither barrel would shoot when I got it, but I had it repaired and still use it occasionally.

Last edited by coosa; 02/14/18 05:39 PM.