They shoot what used to be a cheap cartridge to purchase, they have large magazines, they look cool, they have interchangeable parts, you can customize them 1000’s of different ways and they are just like the guns in the video games. I’m sure there are other reasons for the “first gun” crowd.
I’ve always loved guns since I was a little kid and almost 60 now. There was a time when I said I‘d never own a “black rifle”. Then Stag came out with their Model 8L which is piston driven and left handed. So I bought one and thoroughly enjoy shooting it. Then I bought a Stag Model 6L which is their heavy barreled stainless model guaranteed to shoot 1/2 moa. It’s 1-7 twist so it will shoot the really heavy bullets but my best loads so far have been Sierra 52gr hpbt match bullets. Odd I thought, but whatever... With it’s weight, it’s an absolute joy to shoot off a bench. I’ve said that you can almost *almost* see the bullet holes appear. I’ve learned to not say never anymore when it comes to guns.
And, thank you for your service! I have a buddy that may have given you some support while you were there. He was a phantom pilot and flew 638 sorties off a carrier deck. Shot down twice, once they were able to get back to the carrier but couldn’t land and bailed out into the water. A week later they were shot down over Hanoi. His co-pilot was captured and spent 3 years in the ”Hanoi Hilton”. My buddy had to go about 50 miles through the jungle but was able to avoid capture. Went right back to flying. His co-pilot, after release, went on to become an instructor at Miramar. My hatred for Jane Fonda and those like her is intense... But, again, thank you.
