Remember when you didnt know any better?

[imschur]

I was thinking of my youth and shooting my very first .22. It was a Marlin model 60 bought second hand from a family friend. Not sure how long the model 60 was in existence Ill bet the guns born on date is before mine and Im 44. I was reflecting how I didnt know anything about good triggers and match ammo. The trigger was what it was and the ammo for a lot of the shooting was Remington Thunderbolts if i recall correctly. The funny thing is I remember being a darn good shot and when I missed I was sure it was my fault.

My dad used to bring home these wooden spools that were meant to hold wire. These spools had a bolt pattern like the rim of a car. I would take them apart and in the bolt holes i would stick blown night light or outdoor christmas tree bulbs. I recall amazing my parents and friends at the speed and ability I was able to hit the bulbs with. The best part was the sights were screwed up and I had to compensate by aiming high an to the left around 10pm or some variation of that scenario.

It wasn't until years later as a young adult, older and wiser that I realized one big problem was the front sight was not straight on the barrel. Eventually I began shooting in a competitive youth indoor competition where we shot target rifles and I learned about good hardware and proper technique.

Since then the more I know the worse I shoot. There's days I think I would do better to fling a handgun or fix a bayonet and throw a rifle like a spear.

[rodent.22]

Since then the more I know the worse I shoot. There's days I think I would do better to fling a handgun or fix a bayonet and throw a rifle like a spear.

[imschur]

:laugh:

[Hoss]

Lol, that's funny.  In my case my shooting is better, albeit slower, than ever;  it's my thinking that's deteriorating.

[asmurff]

Marlin 60 went into production in 1960. I think the first rifle we learn on teaches a a great deal, because a kids mind is geared to figuring it out on their own.

I could throw a pretty good curveball until a Jr High coach showed me the right way to do it.