my first was a hand-me-down from my older brother. A Remington model 514 single shot. It had a crappy 3/4" diameter scope on it, and at age7, I tossed it. Shot way to many pest and game animals to count. I had to pry the cases out with my fingernail. I didn't learn about adjusting sights or repairing and cleaning guns for quite a few more years.
Next was a bolt action with a tube mag. My best friend had a .22 with a clip and I wanted a repeater too. Dad bought it for me for work on the farm. It said Coast-To-Coast Hardware, but years later I found it was made by Steven's. I bought a Bushnell 2-7x scope for it. It was a 3/4" tube, but way better than the first piece of crap I threw away.
Then, the year I graduated high school, I bought a Ruger Deluxe 10/22. I didn't have much gun knowledge. but I loved the look and handling of that gun. Put a 4x Bushnell Sportview on it. Finally discovered 1" tubes!!!!
Wat too many have come and gone since. Some much fancier. better looking, more expensive, smoother, more accurate, etc. Still, I couldn't seem to miss with that first Remington, which I still have and shoot. Oh, and I still grab the empty out with my nail, I never did replace the defective part!!
I often use a good quality German made airgun now. Quiet and deadly!