Whether you're looking for a rifle for the next hunting season or a handgun for personal protection, you have to consider some things to make an informed decision. However, it's easy to get overwhelmed by all the advanced features and forget to consider the basics.
Here are some of the most critical things you should consider when shopping for a firearm.
Safety First
Although it's not exciting, safety should be your number one concern—especially if you've never taken a firearm safety training course. You can learn the fundamental firearm safety rules at the NSSF website but knowing these rules is not enough. Just like you can only learn how not to fall off a bicycle by actually practicing bicycle riding, you only learn to follow these precautions with practice.
However, some firearms are safer to handle than others. Most semi-automatic handguns and rifles have safety switches that prevent you from accidentally firing the weapon. If you're a beginner, we wouldn't recommend getting a western-style revolver for safety or a traditional break action rifle for hunting just yet.
Choose Precision Over Power
Many beginners are enthusiastic about getting handguns with as much power as possible. However (if you excuse the pun), a high caliber isn't always better.
If you're buying a firearm for protection, you need to be able to use the weapon with precision without the risk of damaging anything or injuring anyone you don't want to. Even at the same precision, high-caliber bullets are more dangerous because of their higher penetration power.
If you're looking for a firearm for hunting, you still need a weapon with high precision, while power is not as important. You'll mostly be aiming from very long distances, so you don't alert the prey, and you only get one shot at it, or the prey will flee out of sight (again, excuse the puns).
Sights and Accessories
If you're getting a rifle for hunting, believe us, you will need powerful sights. You'll probably also want to add other accessories to make your rifle more accurate and ergonomic. Don't mistake getting an antique rifle that you can't even mount a scope on. Get a modern pump-action rifle and verify that you can mount standard scopes, stocks, and other accessories on it before finalizing the purchase.
Ready to buy a new firearm for yourself? Check out Saint Louis Tactical.
Saint Louis Tactical is one of the biggest gun stores in St Louis, MO, with a vast collection of all kinds of firearms for you to choose from. It's also the best-rated store for tactical accessories for rifles in St Louis.
Want to get your hands on a new firearm? Browse our collection now!
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