First exposure to the holy black was with my father in the mid 70's, prior to graduating high school. Shot all kinds of guns back then, including black powder. Dad had a Euroarms 1858 New Model Army that worked "O-K". He used to clean it in the dishwasher and my mom used to have a fit cause the thing would clog-up with the grease and burnt powder residue. That gun was scrapped long time ago, but I still use the powder flask of his to this day!
Fast forward to about 15 years ago, and my sister gave me a '58 in brass frame when she moved into a condo with friends and they didn't want any guns in the condo.
About 2004 I joined a local gun club and wandered over to the range where the black powder league was having a match. I didn't bring anything to shoot, so I just tried to watch. The league chairman, now a good friend, wouldn't hear of it! He loaned me a '58 Remmy, and everything needed to make it belch smoke! I did fairly well, coming in third or fourth place. Seeing I had "potential", and since the rifle match was next that day, he then loaned my his .58 Springfield with 555 grain Minnies, powder, lube, and everything else needed to make it work. Needless to say I was hooked! I tried to reimburse him for the materials and he wouldn't take anything for the match, telling me instead, "Bring your pistol and I'll loan you a rifle until you can get your own" and to "come on back next month and have some more fun!" So from then on, whenever I loan someone materials to get them started, I won't take anything for it either! I believe in "Paying it forward", so that's what I do.
Fast forward to present and I've accumulated 2 .50 cal Lyman Trade Rifles, a .50 cal Navy Arms Hawken, A T/C .50 Hawken and a 10 gauge SxS all in percussion. This is in addition to the revolver collection: Walker, 3rd Model Dragoon, 1858 New Model Army, 1860 Army, 1858 New Model Army Stainless Buffalo, and just recently a 1860 Army in Charcoal Blue with fluted cylinder. I should note the approx. 1/3 of the guns are gifts to my Eagle Scout son, who is an NRA Life Member since age 5. I taught (along with my son's help) the entire Boy Scout Troop how to shoot shotgun and my .50 cal cap lock.
Presently I am a very active shooter in many disciplines, (sort of a Shootist, if you will) including black powder, bowling pins, USPSA Action, IDPA, Police Silhouette (PPC) League Chairman. I'm an active bird hunter, and just recently this year took the 10 gauge out into the field and hunted with a black powder long gun and a possibles bag for the first time in my life!
Also currently working on my continuing Winchester/NRA Muzzleloading Qualification Program: I Presently hold Expert in Pistol and Distinguished Expert in Rifle. My son is now a college junior and holds an Expert in Rifle and a Sharpshooter in Pistol. We shoot together whenever he's home, and he's comfortable with black powder as much as anything else. In fact the black powder league has treated him as if he was an adult for the entire time he's been shooting, since he always exhibits safety and knowledgeable gun handling. We can usually cut a playing card in half and have a great time trying to out-do each other in a fun sort of way. I love this sport!
Dave