You’re right, agreed on all that. Same as boating. You don’t start with a single screw 38 footer. You start as a kid with a Boston Whaler and an 18 hp outboard.
When I was a kid we got Daisy lever action BB guns to start. I had my gun set up like the Rifleman’s gun. Close the lever and it shoots. The wealthier kids had the Daisy Pump actions.
In fact, I still have a BB imbedded in my left cheek. From when we used to have BB gun fights taking turns, attacking and defending the big ole two story barn.
My friend had one embedded between his eyes, but got it removed. When I got hit in the face, I thought it was a glancing “flesh wound” that left a little blood. After it healed and scab came off, I realized the stupid BB was in there.