Firearms 101: 10 Things You Need to Know Before Buying a Rifle

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buying a rifle

Gun ownership is rife in America.

The second amendment right to bear arms is exercised by millions of people around the country. In fact, as many as 30% of the population own at least one firearm.

So popular are guns in the US that it borders on a national obsession! Whether they’re used for hunting, sport, or self-protection, they’re an inescapable part of life in America.

Nonetheless, buying a rifle, pistol, or any other firearm will forever be a big deal.

Let’s not forget that this is a deadly weapon! As everyone in America knows all too well, in the wrong hands, any firearm can cause irreparable damage. For that reason, the decision to purchase one should never be taken lightly.

Are you thinking about buying your first gun?

Well, before you do, there are certain things to think about. In the following post, we want to address a number of essential tips and considerations for prospective gun-buyers like yourself.

Keep them in mind and you’ll be better prepared for the task at hand.

Sound good? Keep reading.

1. Take It Seriously

It’s worth re-emphasizing what we just mentioned in the introduction.

Buying any gun is a big deal! Sure, it might be an exciting prospect. Getting your hands on your very own firearm might have been a longstanding dream. Now you’re finally going to make it happen.

All the same, let’s not forget the lethal nature of what you’re to purchase.

Don’t learn the damaging effects of guns the hard way! Anything that can take somebody’s life deserves respect from the very start.

Getting into this sort of mindset should help you stay safe when you actually get the gun. You’ll adhere to appropriate safety practices, carrying, storing and maintaining it appropriately.

2. Understand Your Why

Why do you want to buy your firearm?

For what are you going to use it?

Answering these two questions is all-important.

For one thing, it’ll guide the process of finding and buying the right gun for you (more on this next). For another, it might help you realize whether you need one in the first place.

Let’s not forget how expensive guns can be! You wouldn’t want to invest so much money in something you never even use.

3. Find the Right Firearm

Not all firearms are created equally.

You might be desperate for a 44 magnum, .38 revolver, or a mid-sized Glock. However, if it doesn’t fit your needs, then it’s never going to be the right choice.

The recoil might be too extreme, the size might be inappropriate, or it might simply be too expensive! It may lack the stopping power you require, the scope you need, or the ease of use for your level of experience.

Remember, there are pros and cons to all guns.

It’s up to you to weigh them up and decide which is best for satisfying your needs. This is where understanding your reasons for owning a gun comes into play.

If it’s intended for self-defense, a pistol that’s small and light enough to conceal might be ideal. For longer-distance shooting, a rifle would be better. For overall versatility, you might want a shotgun!

Don’t rush into any gun-buying decisions.

Take your time, assess your options, and make a balanced decision based upon your requirements.

4. Drown Out the Noise

It makes sense for firearm newbies to seek the help of more knowledgeable folks.

You might lack the confidence to pick out the best gun for your needs. As such, you seek out friends, family members and acquaintances with more experience to help.

It’s sensible, but be sure to keep this in mind too:

Every Tom, Dick, and Harry has an opinion on the best firearms out there.

Many will argue passionately about the advantages of one brand over another. Others will claim that certain models would be unsuited to your needs. Most will provide biased ideas based on their own preferences!

Their advice may well come in handy. However, the real key to choosing the right firearm is finding one that you feel comfortable using. Ensure that it feels good, operates well, and shoots accurately.

5. Try Before You Buy

Another top tip is to try the gun before you buy it.

Think about purchasing a car. There’s no way you’d invest thousands of dollars in a new vehicle without test driving it first. You want to ensure it drives well, feels good, and matches your personal requirements.

The same thing applies when buying a firearm.

Endless research and consultation with ‘gun-people’ can only get you so far. There’s just no replacement for getting your hands on the gun and trying it out.

Get down to the range and see if you can rent the weapon in question. Shoot as many rounds as it takes to get a true feel for it. Assess your reaction. Do you like it or not?

Never buy anything you’re not 100% sold on.

6. Avoid Used Goods

Let’s face it:

Everybody loves a bargain.

It’s always tempting to purchase second-hand items that come with discounted price tags. But (and it goes without saying) purchasing a gun isn’t the same as buying clothing or furniture!

People who lack insight into firearms risk buying substandard products.

For one thing, it’s easier for unscrupulous vendors to sell you a dud. For another, you might not understand the true implications of a particular purchase. For instance, the ammunition required might be excessively expensive, or inappropriate for your needs.

All told, there might be hidden issues you fail to recognize.

You can avoid that eventuality by buying guns that haven’t been used before. Purchasing new weapons is, of course, more expensive. However, you steer clear of (often expensive) mishaps and bad-buys.

If you are going to buy a pre-used gun, these tips should help.

7. Take a Firearms Course

Knowing how to safely own and operate your gun is all-important.

Educating yourself in this regard prior to owning a good is always a good idea. It means you’re less of a novice when you come to purchase the weapon itself.

There might be no official requirements to take a gun safety or owner training course. Yet we highly recommend doing one anyway. At the end of it, you’ll be a more capable gun owner in every respect.

Better still, you’ll become a more accurate shot in the process.

8. Purchase Appropriate PPE

Purchasing the weapon by itself isn’t enough.

Make sure you have the necessary personal protective equipment at home as well.

Why?

Because guns are loud and often shoot tiny shards of metal into the air when fired! Having protective earplugs/muffs and eyewear will ensure you remain safe.

There’s a bunch of such equipment on sale to choose from these days.

They range in price from budget options to top-level gear.

The main thing, though, is to have something on hand to protect yourself. Your eyes and ears will thank you if you wear these items whenever you’re at the range.

9. Consider Building Your Firearm

Did you know that you can build your own gun?

It’s the ultimate DIY project. Who needs a ready-made rifle!? You could buy the parts and tools and set about making your very own firearm using an 80 lower jig.

From pistols to semi-automatic rifles, all sorts of guns can be created from scratch. You just buy the parts individually (Aero Precision is one such example of a quality parts manufacturer) from the gun store, or online, and set about assembling them.

Why not undertake this project with your child?

It would make an awesome activity to do together. By the end of it, you’ll have both earned a great deal of new insight into gun functionality too.

10. Practice Makes Perfect

Okay, let’s skip forward a bit and imagine that you’ve already bought your gun.

You’ve waited for ages and put serious effort into upskilling yourself.

You’ve picked a weapon that feels good and operates in line with your needs. You’re confident, and understand how to handle, operate and store it appropriately. You treat the weapon with respect at all times.

The next step is to become as proficient as possible with it.

After all, there’s an enormous difference between owning a gun and being able to use it!

You might have fired it a few times at the range already. But don’t rest on your laurels. Even the best marksmen get rusty! Be sure to head on down to the range whenever you can.

When disaster strikes in real life, you want to know that you’re going to hit the target.

Remember These Tips When Buying a Rifle

Millions of people own a firearm in America.

Are you thinking of buying a rifle, pistol, shotgun, or any other firearm for the first time? Well, it’s of utmost importance that you know what you’re doing with it.

Hopefully, this article has proved helpful in that endeavor.

Want to read more posts like this? Search ‘guns’ on the website now.

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