When buying your first gun, doing the research is essential to make sure that you end up with a reliable product. A first-time gun buyer should not make any purchase without ensuring that their new weapon meets their needs and any legal requirements. To learn more tips that a gun buyer should know before acquiring their first gun, check out this helpful guide!
Table of Contents
- 1. Determining a Budget Helps a Gun Buyer Figure out What They Can Afford
- 2. Consider Your Gun Needs and How You Purchase Your New Gun
- 3. Know What Your Local Laws Permit You to Buy and Any Gun Storage Requirements
- 4. Consider How the Gun Looks Versus How It Performs and Try Before You Buy
- 5. Make Sure That You Can Use Your New Gun Safely and Reliably
- Do Your Research and Don’t Be Afraid to Seek Advice
1. Determining a Budget Helps a Gun Buyer Figure out What They Can Afford
Once you decide the price range that you willing to spend, it becomes much easier to narrow down your search. There are many expensive guns that perform very well, but a first-time gun buyer should go for practicality, not flash.
If you are a natural DIY’er you might want to consider getting an 80% lower receiver here and building your own using 80% jigs, as this will also teach you about the mechanics of your gun, however, you will also need to consider the costs of additional equipment, including ammunition, gun cleaning supplies, extra magazines, and holsters. Determining the price of needed gear helps a new gun buyer to avoid any last-minute surprises when checking out.
Setting aside money for firearms instruction is also an excellent idea. Each gun model requires specific training to ensure safe and efficient use by the owner. Training will also make sure that you get the most out of whatever gun you buy. Finest AR 15 brand can be perfect for you because it has various price ranges and different functions. Used by the US military, best shootability, modular design.
In addition, don’t forget to include gun accessories, such as optics, a gun safe, a thermal scope, a striker control device, and a gun holder in your budget. A striker control device prevents the striker from moving back to release unintentionally. This hinged mechanism is a must-have feature for Glock pistols. In addition, it would be best to consider the cost of gun cleaning and maintenance supplies like lubricants, solvents, patch pullers, cleaning rods, bore brushes, and cleaning patches.
The AR 15 holder can hold your AR-15 style rifle, pistols, lower receivers, and magazines such as SIG MCX, Colt AR-15, PSA, PMAGs, and Metal GI mags. It allows you to display and organize them securely. You can find one that’s easy to install in vertical or horizontal mount types. Moreover, most gun holders include a cable lock hole and a magazine catch for secure storage and easy access.
2. Consider Your Gun Needs and How You Purchase Your New Gun
Each gun buyer should carefully consider how and where their new gun will be used. For example, those interested in carrying a concealed weapon will naturally be interested in getting a pistol or revolver. If your primary interest is in hunting or home defense, a shotgun or rifle selection would be more sensible.
The more time you take to consider how your gun will be used, the better you can determine which gun is right for your needs. A specific purchase will help you avoid wasting time and money while deciding the right gear and accessories for you.
You should also make sure to go with a standard caliber for your first gun. Larger bullets can be harder to find but are also considerably more expensive. Nine millimeter and .22 caliber rounds can be just as effective as .44s and are much easier to find and cheaper to buy.
You should also make sure to purchase your first weapon from a reputable gun seller. A new gun buyer might be tempted to cheap out and consider a private sale or internet deal to save money.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of shady gun dealers out there who would happily sell you a lemon that will fail when you need it most. If you are buying your first gun, you will not know what to avoid when checking a gun’s condition.
You should also make sure to ask if your new gun comes with a manufacturer’s warranty. If something breaks or goes wrong, the gunmaker will fix or replace your weapon at their expense.
The gun manufacturer’s warranty differs from one company to another. Many gun manufacturers have lifetime warranties. But generally, a gun warranty is up to one year from purchase. This warranty covers material and workmanship defects adversely affecting the gun’s operation.
One important thing to remember is not to void your gun’s warranty by not modifying the firearm’s internals or using non-factory ammunition. Contact the gun manufacturer if you notice any defects or before doing any repair work on your gun.
3. Know What Your Local Laws Permit You to Buy and Any Gun Storage Requirements
Before you decide to run out and get that cool platform you read about online, you should make sure you know if it is legal in your state. Depending on where you live, there can be restrictions on owning certain magazines, types of ammunition, and firearm types. States also have different requirements about how guns should be transported, as well as rules about hunting, concealed carry, and home defense.
It is also vital for your gun to be safely and securely stored when not in use. Unsecured guns are a huge risk to your and your loved one’s safety. There are several inexpensive means to keep your weapon safe, including trigger locks and traditional gun safes.
Responsible gun ownership is not only the responsible thing. It helps keep you and your family safe.
4. Consider How the Gun Looks Versus How It Performs and Try Before You Buy
Many factors set guns apart from each other, including grip texture, placement of controls, and trigger construction. To make sure that your new gun will be the right choice, you should make sure to research each option in detail. Little details like these can make a significant impact on how comfortable a gun is to use, so make sure that it fits your needs.
While getting a Colt Python-like Rick from The Walking Dead might make you look cool, the chances are that you would seriously injury yourself when trying to fire it. The larger the caliber of a gun, the harder it is for a new gun buyer to control and use it safely. If you cannot control a gun you purchase, you are a danger to yourself and anyone around you.
Before you buy your new gun, you should make sure to try out the models you are interested in buying. Consider renting guns at a gun range and learn how each weapon feels when in use. The level of recoil, firing mechanism, and design choices can have a significant impact on whether a gun is right for you.
If you try a gun before making a purchase, you are far less likely to regret buying it in the first place. Firsthand experience can be invaluable when figuring out the right gun for you.
5. Make Sure That You Can Use Your New Gun Safely and Reliably
Now that you’ve bought your gun and hopefully invested in some training, you might think everything is fine. Unfortunately, things are rarely that simple, and when it comes to firearms, practice does make perfect. As with all skills, you will get rusty if you fail to put in time at the range and keep in practice.
If you need to use your gun, whether for hunting or in self-defense, your amount of practice could be the thing that saves your life. If you do not feel confident when using your gun or are not thoroughly familiar with how it works, you could freeze at a critical moment.
Do Your Research and Don’t Be Afraid to Seek Advice
Being a first-time gun buyer can seem overwhelming and complicated. However, with some research and hands-on experience, you can make the right purchase that meets your needs. Keep browsing our website today for more articles like this!