My first was a Navy Arms Remington New Model Army made by Pietta. I bought it in December 1980 at a store called The Emporium right across the street from the OK Corral in Tombstone AZ while I was an army 2LT at Ft. Huachuca. I paid $125 for it and also got the Lyman mold and handles, Remington flask, caps and display case. The proprietor of The Emporium told me where I could get powder at a hardware store in Sierra Vista. I bought a cast iron pot and lead dipper there also. I can't remember where I found lead but I melted some on the stove top and went out into the desert to shoot it. I bought my first ml rifle in the summer of 1981 at a hardware store in Hinesville GA while I was at Ft. Stewart. It was a Sile .45 Hawken. Being new to muzzle loading I thought I could load the .451 ball I shot in the Remington with a patch in the rifle. After one try I discovered I needed to go read some more books. It was 1991 when I got my first flintlock, a Pedersoli .50 Kentucky. Since then the flintlocks have grown. Years ago I ordered a .50 Green Mountain drop in barrel for the Sile and fitted it though it was made for a TC. I have never fired it since replacing the barrel. A year or so ago I bought one of the Lee Production Pots to melt lead outside but have not had the occasion to use it yet, so during all those years all the balls I have cast have been on the stove top with that lead pot and ladle I bought so many years ago. My wife was with me when I bought the Remington and all needed to shoot it, and when I went into the desert to shoot it. She passed away in January 2021 and I have not shot any of my guns since, though I have continued to buy more. When I do get back out with my Remington I believe I will feel like she is there with me.