Choosing the right firearm; A Beginner's guide

Whether you’re a first-time gun owner or someone looking to expand their collection, choosing the right firearm can feel overwhelming. The market offers a wide array of options, each with its own purpose and features. Fear not! In this beginner’s guide, we’ll break down the essentials to help you make an informed decision.

1. Know Your Purpose

Before browsing through gun catalogs, ask yourself: Why do I want a firearm? Here are common purposes:

• Self-Defense: If personal safety is your primary concern, consider a reliable handgun. Compact and easy to carry, handguns are ideal for home defense and concealed carry. We also recommend that you attend some classes that provide guidance in utilizing a firearm for self-defense. 

• Sport Shooting: If you’re interested in target practice or competitive shooting, explore rifles or pistols designed for accuracy. Depending on what type of shooting you're doing, calibers are important. If you're just going to "plink" at targets, a rifle or pistol in .22LR is perfectly suitable. If you're wanting to go long distance, there are several calibers that are argueably the best caliber. From the .308, 6.5 creedmore and .338 Lapua you can shoot distances well 300, 400 or even 500 yards with relative ease when you set up the right rifle with the right optics. If you're wanting to really go competitive try a 3-gun shoot. For 3 gun shoots, the shooter utilizes a shotgun, rifle and pistol in a sequence of targets, at different distances, often on the move. 

• Hunting: Different game requires different firearms. Shotguns are great for bird hunting, while rifles (bolt-action or semi-automatic) suit larger game. Make sure you're following your states laws as it regards to what you can use for hunting. 

2. Understanding Calibers

Caliber refers to the diameter of the bullet. Common calibers include .22LR, 9mm, .45 ACP, and .223 Remington. Here’s a quick breakdown:

• .22LR: Great for beginners due to low recoil. Used for plinking and small game hunting, they're reasonably priced. Also, is considered one of the #1 "survival" rounds. You can carry alot of them at a time.

• 9mm: Widely adopted for self-defense. Balanced recoil and ample stopping power. 

• .45 ACP: Heavier recoil but excellent stopping power. Popular among 1911 enthusiasts.

• .223 Remington: Common for AR-15 rifles. Suitable for sport shooting and varmint hunting. It should be noted that firearms that are chambered in 5.56 NATO rounds can accept .223 Remington but due to the increased chamber pressures of the 5.56, guns chambered in .223 Remington are NOT suitable to utilize 5.56 rounds in. 

3. Types of Firearms

Let’s explore the main categories:

• Handguns:

  • Revolver: Simple, reliable, and easy to maintain. Limited capacity. Think Dirty Harry's Smith & Wesson Model 29. 
  • Semi-Automatic Pistol: Higher capacity, faster reloads. Popular for self-defense. Glock's are one of the most popular, and somewhat affordable brands out there. 

• Rifles:

  • Bolt-Action: Precise and versatile. Ideal for hunting and long-range shooting. You're not going to worry about getting off shots in quick succession. Think "one shot, one hit" with this one. 
  • Semi-Automatic Rifle: AR-15s fall into this category. Great for sport shooting. There are also great "plinking" guns like the Ruger 10/22 chambered in .22LR that are semi-automatic. 

• Shotguns:

  • Pump-Action: Versatile for hunting and home defense. These can come in alot of different lengths and depending on what you're going to use it for. 
  • Semi-Automatic Shotgun: Less recoil, faster follow-up shots. 

4. Ergonomics and Fit

• Grip: Ensure the firearm feels comfortable in your hand. Test different grips. Some handguns come with modular grips to help with the fit.
• Weight: Consider how much weight you can handle comfortably. Again, the manner you plan on using your gun should be considered. If you're going to be hiking deep into the back country chasing elk, you will probably want to conserve some weight. Conversly, if you're going to be doing some long range shooting comps, weight is your friend to minimize movement of the muzzle making an accurate shot easier.  
• Sights: Opt for adjustable sights for better accuracy. You can also get optics. We could do a very long blog post on this. Do some research. 

5. Budget and Maintenance

• Firearms vary in price. You can find some fairly reasonable and you can also spend thousands (or even 10's of thousands) on a quality built firearm. To start, set a budget and stick to it.
• Remember maintenance costs (cleaning kits, ammunition, etc.).
• Finally, and very importantly, secure storage is part of your cost. As a firearms owner, we have a responsibility to ensure our guns are secure from children, theives, and anyone that is not familiar with safe gun handling rules. 

Conclusion

Choosing the right firearm involves research, hands-on experience, and understanding your needs. Visit local gun shops, handle different models, and seek advice from experienced shooters. Remember, safety always comes first. Happy shooting! 🔫🎯

Disclaimer: Always follow local laws and regulations when purchasing and owning firearms.

Feel free to explore our shop at FocusPointFirearms.com for a curated selection of quality firearms and accessories. If you have any questions, our team is here to assist you! 😊