If you are new to firearms, understanding the basics of guns and ammunition is important. Whether you are in the market for your first gun or just want to get acquainted with how guns work, here is what you need to know. From selecting the appropriate firearm to knowing more about different kinds of ammunition, we’ll go through all that you need to learn as a novice.
Understanding Firearm Types
Guns are typically divided into three main categories: handguns, rifles, and shotguns, which differ based on design, purpose, and features.
Handguns: Handguns are portable firearms designed for personal defense, recreational shooting, and law enforcement use. Pistols and revolvers are handguns. Hollow points are a common choice, but the keys are that pistols are often magazine-fed and comfortable for fast follow-up shots, while revolvers are limited to a cylinder of ammunition and have to be manually cycled between shots.
Rifles: Rifles are firearms with longer barrels that are made to be accurate at greater ranges. They are mainly used for hunting, target shooting, and military or law enforcement purposes. These are further divided into classes such as bolt-action, semi-automatic, and lever-action, each offering a range of precision and speed.
Shotguns: Generally used in bird hunting, small game, and law enforcement in close-quarter engagements. Unlike rifles, shotguns propel a spray of small projectiles, called shots, which makes them more forgiving at close distances. Shotguns can be pump-action, semi-automatic, or break-action, based on how the next round is loaded.
Knowing the Types of Ammunition
As with firearms, there are many types of ammunition (or “ammo”). Ammunition is specific to the caliber and action of your firearm, so proper matching of both guns and ammo is important. Here’s a look at some of the most common ammo types for beginners:
Pistol: The 9mm is considered the standard; it has a decent balance between power, recoil, and price. The. 40 S&W packs more punch but may be harder to control for new shooters, whereas the 45 ACP offers a larger projectile size, which is popular for personal defense, but with the downside of having a lot of recoil.
Rifle: Rifle ammo types are the. 223 Remington, .308 Winchester, and .22 LR. The .223 Remington is great for the recreational target shooter while the .308 Winchester is an effective round for big game hunting or long-range shooting.
Shotgun: You might want to consider shotgun ammunition, this can be divided into birdshot, buckshot, and slugs. Birdshot is used for small game and bird hunting, and buckshot is used for hunting larger game or for home defense. Slugs are solid projectiles designed to take down larger game and are much more accurate than standard shots.
How to Select the Best Ammo for Your Gun
When choosing ammo for your firearm, you must pick the correct caliber that properly fits your firearm. Every gun has the specific ammunition it was designed to function properly with, and some serious repercussions and malfunctions can happen from using the wrong ammunition. Always verify the proper ammunition in your firearm’s manual.
- With handguns, verify that the caliber of your ammo matches the markings on your gun. For example, a 9mm pistol needs 9mm ammo to fire.
- For rifles, if you have an AR-15, you’ll want one. 223 Remington or 5.56 NATO ammo (but make sure to check the caliber for your steel). Some other rifles are in different calibers i.e .308 Winchester or. 22 LR.
- With shotguns, it’s crucial to verify the gauge of the shotgun (12-gauge, 20-gauge, etc.) to make sure you’re using the right ammunition. Gauge is a measure of the internal diameter of the barrel, so a 12-gauge shotgun takes 12-gauge ammo.
Ammunition Safety
The top priority of anyone, whether a newcomer or an experienced vassal, is safety when dealing with firearms and ammunition. Here are some simple rules for ammo safety:
- Store Ammo Properly: Ammo should be stored in a cool, dry environment to avoid damage. Storage in high heat and high moisture environments are the top two causes of misfires or, worse, unsafe conditions when firing ammunition.
- Check Expiration Dates: Ammunition has an expiration date. Ammo should be checked for corrosion or signs of damage if it has been in storage for long periods.
- Check Ammo Before You Use: Always check your ammo before loading it into your weapon. Check for visible damage; dents, cracks, or rust can affect your performance and safety.
- Never Mix Ammunition Types: There is no way to use ammo for your gun that is not meant to be in your firearm. If you use the wrong caliber or type of ammo, it can cause damage to both the gun and the person shooting it.
Practice and Training
Of course, practice is the best way to become familiar with your firearm and ammo. As a novice, you must spend and invest the time it takes to understand how your firearms work and what your ammunition does when hit with the firing pin at the range. Most local gun ranges have introductory lessons for new shooters and these are invaluable in educating you on how to handle, aim, and be safe with firearms.
The first step in helping someone become a responsible gun owner is teaching them the basics of guns and ammunition. Whether it is the type of firearm or the ammunition that will be used with it, it is important to educate yourself on what each specific piece of equipment is used for and how to safely use it. Whether you plan your firearm use around self-defense, sport shooting, or hunting, understanding your ammo and firearm will enable you to shoot better and in a responsible manner.