My uncle did civil war renactments and has many orginal guns from the war. Seeing the smoke and loud cracks got me going. No one ever showed me the ropes, I read the manual over and over to the point I could recite it before going to the range the first time. I must admit it was scarry at first but there was an old guy who helped me and had a good time helping and sighting in the gun. If I see new guys that need help I offer and they are glad that you had offered the help. Keep passing on the fun of these guns. I had inlines, shotguns for turkey and now am looking for a good side arm revolver smoke gun. I am still hunting hard for a good 58 caliber TC Big Boar gun if i can find one. Oh yeah, that is part of the fun as well, more guns to try and make more smoke.