COTEP.org - May I introduce myself...

Hello, I am a new member of this forum though I have heard much about it. I have been a shooter since age 7 when my grandfather introduced me to the joys of firearms with a .22 caliber Springfield 87A "Gill-gun" that I still have. I grew up as a small game and varmint hunter on the family farm with the occasional duck or goose hunt. I joined the Army in 1967 and went to Vietnam where I was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division. Though I had only trained on the M-14, I was assigned an M16A1 and carried that through my year in the war. It was there that I first fired a 1911; an old WW-II veteran that rattled like a can of bolts. My "buddies" handed me it and urged me to "pop one off" which I did and was rewarded with a massive dose of hammer-bite that didn't heal for almost a month. I had no idea of how to shoot a handgun.
After I got out of the service in 1971 I really didn't get back into firearms until 2011 when my wife died after a lengthy illness. I started with a little revolver to get the feel of handguns then feeling the need for some home protection bought a Glock G22C. Soon I became curious about 1911's and bought a Rock Island 5-inch .45 ACP (with a big, protective beavertail!). Soon I had another full sized RIA then finally an officers-sized Compact for concealed carry. I have other guns, both long and short; but my fascination with the 1911 is the primary focus of my firearm activities. I look forward to learning much from this group and I am very happy to have become a member. Thank you.