After my Dad passed away, Mom took me out to a friend of the family who was an avid hunter, handloader and kitchen table FFL and that was my first opportunity to burn real powder from firearms -- lots of air rifle and BB gun shooting up until that time.
First handgun I ever shot was a Ruger Single Six.
First center fire I ever shot was a Ruger Security Six, with .357 Magnum ammo. Both of these belonged to him. Also shot the Colt Challenger that had been my Dad's (Mom's now, and will go to my brother.) Not at all long after that trip, Mom found a Sportsman's Club one town over and we went and I ended up shooting four position smallbore... shooting skeet... and spending a -LOT- of time on the outdoor range when I wasn't doing the others. Mom get sucked in by the club to manage their finances and she agreed to do it to support my shooting.
And following that summer, Mom
shocked me with my Christmas present... a brand new Smith & Wesson Model 17-6, six inch barrel with target trigger and target hammer.
I've been surprised by a gift on different occasions over the course of my life, but never so more than on THAT Christmas, 1988. In fact, she had planned to buy a nice condition but used High Standard rimfire semi-auto from a gent at the Club, but when he fished it out of his safe to find a broken firing pin, she had to make alternate plans and she called up the guy who got me started and ordered the new K-frame.
Obviously, I still have that Model 17-6. It's amazing. And I'm reminded again how much I need to thank my Mom for all she did to support my love for this whole big thing I'm knee-deep in.