Your first ever firing huh, that's pretty cool. Around here there is a gun crew that drags a field piece around to all kind of functions, mostly weddings, and they shoot that thing whenever they get a chance. I have a knack somehow of showing up just at the time they are getting ready to fire so I always wait for it. It always does something to me, usually brings a tear to my eye for some reason. But those old guys that shoot that thing love shooting it and I am glad. However there was one time when I was not so pleased. They were set up across from my favorite dive spot and I didn't see them. I was coming out of the water and was making my way across some very slippery ballast stones and they shot that thing(they call it Thor) just at that time and it startled me in a big way. I didn't fall but it probably was entertaining to watch as I jumped and fought for balance. I talked to the gun crew and now they warn people .So Mike I am sure that shooting that thing was a good rush and I am glad you had the chance.