Tips for First-Time Gun Buyers
First-time gun buyers are often filled with mixed feelings of excitement and a bit of intimidation. Most people want to purchase a gun for personal and home protection. The specific circumstances are different for each gun owner.
With an endless array of weapon systems to choose from, the task can be overwhelming. Here are some tips that will help you narrow down your choices and ensure that your first experience buying and training with a firearm is relatively easy.
1. Can You Pull that Trigger When Necessary?
Many people never stop to think about this question, and it’s a serious one. When you point a weapon at someone, your goal is self-preservation or to save the life of another. If it comes down to it, can you aim your gun at another human being and pull the trigger to stop the threat?
High-stress situations will exacerbate any doubts you have about such life or death incidents. Everyone reacts to stress differently, and any hesitation could cost you your life. Training and time on the shooting range will increase your confidence and, hopefully, eliminate any fears or misconceptions that you may have. Regular practice directly correlates with confident and accurate shooting.
2. Research
Once you’ve decided that you can pull the trigger, it’s time to learn more about guns and the one that’s best for you. There’s a lot of information out there, so it's important to only refer to trusted and credible sources such as American Rifleman or Shooting Illustrated. Trusted and credible are key points here. There are plenty of sources online that are anything but trustworthy and reliable.
Local shooting ranges or civilian training academies also serve as excellent sources of information and training. If you already know the brand of firearm that you want to purchase, such as Glock, Smith and Wesson, etc., they often have important information on a variety of topics. This information includes quizzes on finding the right gun for you, shooting tips, and more.
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3. Find the Right Gun for You
If you ask ten people to recommend a gun for you, you’re likely to get ten different answers. There is such a variety of weapons, calibers, and accessories on the market that it really depends on what works for you.
If you’re a female with a small hand, a compact weapon will fit you better than a large handgun. Some people may prefer to stay old-school, with a reliable revolver such as a semi-automatic with higher ammunition capacity. After all, there’s a reason six-shooters have remained popular so long.
Choosing the wrong gun for you will make it difficult to use, take apart to clean, and even load the magazines. If the everyday tasks of using and cleaning a firearm frustrate you, you’ll probably give up on the process quickly.
With that in mind, think of the caliber you feel most comfortable shooting. A .357 round kicks more than a 9mm. The higher the recoil, the more difficult it will be for some people to readjust their sight picture and reacquire their target for the second shot.
4. Make Sure You Purchase Necessary Equipment and Accessories
Each weapon requires the right accessories and equipment to use it correctly. There are a variety of types of gun holsters depending on how you plan to carry the weapon. Will you open carry, conceal the gun, or just keep it in a lock box at home? There are ankle, paddle, traditional holsters, and more.
You’ll also need cleaning supplies. Routinely cleaning your gun is vital to its proper function. A dirty firearm will malfunction at the most inappropriate time. Hopefully, that’s not when you’re confronting a home invader. A dirty gun can cause a feed malfunction, meaning that a cartridge can’t enter the chamber when you insert the magazine and rack the slide.
Guns can rust, and you don’t have to live in a tropical environment for that to happen. Rust can occur just from the weapon coming in contact with sweat. If the gun isn’t well oiled, it can cause trigger malfunctions. If your extractor is dirty, casings won’t exit the weapon properly.
On a minimum, you should clean your gun after shooting 250 rounds. Depending on how often you shoot and how many shots you fire regularly, this could mean that you clean your gun every time after shooting it.
You’ll also want to purchase a gun bag that you use to carry your shooting supplies, such as ammo, extra magazines, ear and eye protection, and cleaning supplies to and from the range. Anything that you may need for the range or to clean your gun. If you keep it all stored in one bag, it's easy to grab and go.
Speaking of magazines, you may want to purchase additional magazines for your firearm. You never know when you’ll need them or when one might break or malfunction.
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5. Compare Prices and Stores
Price checking is an essential part of any purchase process, and the same is true for guns. Thankfully, the internet makes comparing prices much easier than shopping in a regular store. An excellent place to start is looking for the MSRP or suggested retail price on the manufacturer’s website. This price is slightly higher than a dealer will probably charge for it. An exception to that rule would be if there is an increased demand for a specific model.
One simple way to check for gun prices is to go to websites that sell firearms, such as GunsAmerica.com, GunWatcher.com, or Gunbroker.com. If you run a search for the make and model of the gun that you’re looking for, it will return a search that shows you prices all over the U.S.
Some people prefer to support their local gun shop, and that’s great if they’re knowledgeable and have decent prices. Supporting local business is incredibly important. A passionate and knowledgeable local seller will make the purchasing process easier for you.
Keep these tips in mind when buying your first gun. It's critical to recognize if you can pull that trigger when you need to and know how to use your firearm. Frequent training and routine cleaning of your weapon are necessary, and you’ll find that being a responsible firearm owner is rewarding. It also gives you the peace of mind of knowing that you can protect yourself and your family.
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