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How to Choose the First Rifle for Beginner (For Your Purpose)

Just getting into weapons? Looking for your first rifle? Trust us, we understand the feeling! Everyone has to start somewhere.

This guide will provide a few key factors to keep in mind, which will hopefully help in your decision making.

Let’s get started!

The Basics of Choosing a Rifle for Beginner Shooting

Before getting into anything, we are going to assume that you have a general understanding of firearms safety, and are familiar with the process of purchasing a firearm.

There are a few basic terminologies to understand before getting any further.

Action. Action refers to the way in which the rifle ejects the empty shell after firing, chambers the next round, and fires that next round. A few examples are: semiautomatic, fully automatic, bolt action, lever action, and pump action.

Semiautomatic weapons use gas blowback. In a semiautomatic weapon, each trigger pull fires one round
Fully automatic weapons won’t be covered much. They require even further background checks and paperwork
Bolt action rifles require the user to manually move the bolt back to eject the shell and chamber the next round. Generally speaking, they have some type of handle that the user grabs onto to move the bolt back and then ride it forward. When you think of a sniper in the movies, those are probably bolt action
Lever action rifles are an older technology. They are used commonly for hunting, as they offer the ability to fire a larger projectile out of a smaller framed weapon. It is similar to a bolt action rifle, but instead of a handle on the bolt, it is a lever underneath the trigger guard
Pump action rifles are extremely uncommon. Rather than a lever, they use a pump, similar to a shotgun

Magazine. The magazine is a device that holds ammo. It is usually spring loaded to assist in feeding the next round into the chamber. The magazine capacity is how many rounds the magazine can hold.

Caliber. Caliber refers to the size of the bullet that the weapon fires.

What Are You Going to Use the Rifle For?

This has to be the first question that crosses your mind when you start shopping for a rifle. What are you going to use it for?

Generally speaking, a hunting rifle is going to be much different than a plinking rifle. Identifying your use for the rifle will help to pick which factors are important to you.

Hunting

Hunting rifles need to be durable, reliable, and reasonably accurate.

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Durability and reliability are extremely important. As you are hunting, there is a chance it will be exposed to the elements.

Identifying what you are going to be hunting for will help to pick the caliber. Do your research, there is plenty of information out there on the best caliber for different animals.

When looking for ammunition, there is a plethora of hunting-specific ammunition. There are some great options, and you really can’t go wrong with Federal Power-Shok, Remington Core-Lokt, or Winchester Deer Season, although these are just a few recommendations.

Generally speaking, jacketed hollow point ammunition will expand on impact and cause a lot of damage, which helps to bring down the target. However, when using a larger bullet, such as .308, this becomes less important.

As far as action is concerned, hunting rifles are commonly bolt action and lever action, as they are more reliable. However, semiautomatic rifles are becoming more and more popular.

For some types of hunting, such as hog and coyote hunting, semiautomatic may even be preferred. Pick the best AR-15 scope for deer hunting will be good for you.

Precision/Accuracy Shooting

Precision rifles need to be extremely accurate, obviously.

These competition grade weapons are usually pretty expensive, and are commonly bolt action as well, as they are slightly more accurate than their counterparts. However, more and more precision rifles are semiautomatic.

As far as caliber is concerned, it really depends on your range.

If you are planning to do some accuracy shooting at longer distances, 6.5 Creedmoor, .300 Win Mag, and .338 Lapua are all excellent choices. For closer ranges (think 400 yards and closer), 5.56x45mm NATO (used in AR-15s) is popular because of the number of aftermarket parts and accessories available.

When it comes to ammunition choices, there are plenty of options available specifically for accurate shooting. Lapua ammunition is notoriously accurate, as are Hornady Superformance and Federal MatchKing.

Defense

Home defense rifles need to be reliable.

When you pull that trigger, you need to be sure that you are going to be firing at the threat, whatever that may be.

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Semiautomatic is generally preferential, as you would be able to shoot faster at a potential threat.

As far as calibers are concerned, 5.56x45mm NATO is a popular choice (AR-15), but some prefer larger calibers, such as .308 Winchester.

The caliber is slightly less important than the ammunition chosen. High quality defense ammo, such as jacketed hollow point ammunition, is very important, as it will do the most damage on impact.

As wrong as it sounds, if the ammunition is good for bringing down large game, it will also be good for bringing down a potential intruder. You should keep rifle in best gun safe for the money to make it work stability.

Plinking

Plinking rifles generally just need to be inexpensive and reliable.

They don’t need to be too fancy or durable, as it is a just for fun gun. While not always true, the caliber is usually not that big of a deal for a rifle that is only for fun.

However, some people very strongly about having fancy, semiautomatic, large caliber weapons for plinking. My personal view is that I just need something basic, as I’m only practicing my skills for when I bring out my “real” guns – my competition shooting weapons and hunting rifles.

I practice with a bolt action .22LR that cost less than $300.

Recommendations

If you are looking for a home defense weapon, I really don’t think you can go wrong with an AR-15 or AR-10. With the number of aftermarket parts and accessories, you will be able to accomplish almost any type of shooting with this weapon.

For plinking, I recommend something simple, like I mentioned before. However, if you are just getting into weapons, I would recommend an AR-15. This is an easy recommendation to make, due to how ridiculously popular the weapon has become. They perform well and will let you meet many needs.

For precision shooting, I would look into anything made by Weatherby, Tikka precision rifles, and Howa precision rifles.

For hunting, it really just depends. However, the Ruger American is a basic bolt action weapon that is durable, reliable, inexpensive, and is available in just about every caliber imaginable. There are better options, but for the price, this is a great weapon.

There are hundreds of different factors to consider when buying your first rifle. This guide has hopefully given you a general concept of what to consider.

Should I Go Deer Hunting With an AR-15?

The AR-15 is the rifle of the modern day. It is an extremely popular sporting rifle for quite a few reasons. But you may be wondering, "Should I go deer hunting with an AR-15?"

For starters, it is easy to operate and maintain. They are relatively inexpensive, and there are literally thousands of aftermarket parts available.

Due to all this popularity, it is becoming more and more popular as a hunting weapon.

Many people are using AR-15s for coyote hunting, hog hunting, and other varmint hunting. More and more people are starting to use AR-15s for deer hunting.

Are you wondering whether or not you should deer hunt with an AR-15? Let’s take a look at some of the facts.

Caliber of AR-15

Assuming we are talking about a true AR-15, they shoot 5.56 or .223.

However, AR-frame weapons are available in many calibers, both larger and smaller.

For deer hunting, 5.56 is a little on the small side.

So obviously, a larger caliber AR-frame weapon would be a slightly better choice for deer hunting.

ARs are available in 6.5 Creedmoor, .50 Beowulf, .458 SOCOM, and .300 Blackout, to name a few. These larger calibers would generally be better than 5.56 for deer hunting.

Given how easy it is to customize an AR-15, it would be pretty easy to buy a new upper in a different caliber, and slap it on any AR-15 lower receiver.

However, the point of this article was about using a true AR-15 for deer hunting, so we will focus on 5.56.

Ammunition

Using modern ammunition, 5.56/.223 can be a viable hunting cartridge. Most old-timers will be really reluctant to say that. Based on ammunition of old, most people wouldn’t go smaller than .243, which was still considered small.

However, with modern bonded ammo, available in both 5.56 and .223, these rounds are deadly enough for smaller deer.

A few examples are Federal Fusion in .223, Winchester Power Max in .223, Reaper ammo in 5.56, and Nosler Defense ammo in .223.

All of these are heavier, bonded bullets. For those that are unfamiliar, bonded bullets work by keeping the bullet together. Bonding the projectile together prevents it from separating. As a result, the bullet gets deeper penetration, which translates into damaging more tissue.

Weapon

If you are deer hunting with an AR-15, there are a few key aftermarket parts you should have.

If you are building an AR, or have multiple uppers for your weapon, a longer barrel would be preferential for hunting. The longer barrel can help to increase range and accuracy.

A quality scope is extremely important, as with most types of hunting. You are going to want a durable scope that is preferably waterproof and shockproof, to withstand the damage that can come along with hunting. Best ar15 scope for deer hunting is great way to know which is the best

Sightmark Ultra Shot Reflex Sight-2

Other than that, the standard AR-15 parts will suffice. The standard trigger, collapsible stock, and handguards will likely serve you fine. However, you may wish to change things over time.

Other Considerations

Some states have magazine capacity limitations for hunting rifles. Make sure to look up your local state laws before using a standard 30-round AR-15 magazine.

Additionally, some states have a minimum caliber for game hunting. If your state has this, hunting with an AR-15 may be out of the question, due to the caliber.

Make sure you know your local laws before going hunting!

As I mentioned before, .223/5.56 is an acceptable cartridge for smaller deer. If you live in an area with large deer, such as Wisconsin, Iowa, or Nebraska, you really need a larger caliber weapon. In the more southern states, .223 will work just fine.

Conclusion

So, long story short, yes. You should go deer hunting with your AR-15, as long as it is legal where you live, you are using the correct ammunition, and you aren’t hunting large deer.

As a weapon system, the AR-15 performs extremely well. Due to its customizability, ease of use, and popularity, it is an awesome choice for deer hunting, as long as the correct criteria are met.

How To Choose The Right Shotgun For You – Shotgun Buying Guide

With the number of shotguns available, it can be difficult to choose the right shotgun for you.

In this article, we will go over the key factors to keep in mind when choosing a shotgun, and we will make some recommendations for which shotguns will meet which needs best.

What Gauge you should choose for your shotgun

When someone talks about the gauge of a shotgun, they are talking about the diameter of the barrel. In turn, this also means that they are talking about the size of the shell that the shotgun can shoot. 12 gauge and 20 gauge are the most popular, but there are actually quite a few different gauges available.

Here’s a list of the most common shotgun gauges, from smallest to largest:

410 bore – one of the smallest shotgun shells ever made. It is often used for small game and defense purposes. There are revolvers available that are able to shoot this shotgun shell, and they are popular for defense purposes
28 gauge – this is a small shotgun shell. The weapons are lightweight, and are commonly used for pheasant hunting or any other type of upland bird hunting
20 gauge – second most common in the United States. It is popular for hunting and target shooting alike due to its light weight and the fact that it has less recoil than 12 gauge. As far as hunting purposes, 20 gauge can be used for most bird hunting
16 gauge – not all that common. It is somewhat of a jack of all trades, but there are not many 16 gauge shotguns around anymore
12 gauge – by far the most common. They are on the heavy side, but recent technology has improved this. 12 gauge is excellent for waterfowl, turkey, and any other number of animals. It is also popular for home defense
10 gauge – another shell you don’t see much. It used to be very popular for waterfowl, but it is very heavy, and recent improvements to 12 gauge weapons have decreased the popularity

There are other shotgun shells that exist, but are extremely uncommon. Often, these shotguns will require custom ammunition.

Action

When it comes to shotgun actions, it essentially boils down to pump action, semiautomatic, and double-barreled shotguns.

Pum action shotgun: Pump action shotguns are the most common. They are inexpensive, reliable, and easy to use. A pump shotgun will excel in almost any use.

Semiautomatic shotgun: It don’t have a pump. They function using gas blowback, meaning that all you have to do is pull the trigger. They allow for much faster shooting, but are more expensive, and their reliability is questionable.

Double-barreled shotgun: whether over under or side by side, are breech loaded weapons. They are extremely reliable, but can also get expensive. Due to the fact that you only get two shots, these are popular weapons for shooting skeet.

Other Factors when buying a Shotgun

Barrel length.

Longer barrels will be better for shooting skeet, while shorter barrels are very popular for home defense and tactical applications.

Generally speaking, hunting shotguns have a barrel in the neighborhood of 26 to 28 inches long.

Rifled barrel.

Some folks will buy a shotgun for deer hunting, as they are unable to shoot rifles in their area.

If you’re buying a shotgun with the sole purpose of shooting slugs, it would be in your best interest to buy a shotgun with a rifled barrel.

Fit with you

Due to the size, weight, and recoil of a shotgun, it becomes very important to have a shotgun that fits you well.

Make sure that the stock is comfortable, and you are able to easily sweep the barrel.

Which Shotgun Is Right For you

For home defense, we recommend a pump action 12 gauge with a shorter barrel.

For waterfowl hunting, a 12 gauge is an excellent option. Both pump action and semiautomatic will perform well, but semiautomatic will allow for faster shots, which may be helpful.

For upland bird hunting, we recommend a 28 gauge. It is extremely lightweight and fast to shoot. However, many other gauges will work well for this use. 20 gauge is another great choice. As far as action, any will work.

For deer hunting, we recommend a pump action 20 gauge or 12 gauge with a rifled barrel will perform well. This is good shotgun for deer hunting, you should choose the best shotgun scope to have best target.

For skeet and trap shooting, 12 gauge is extremely popular. A 12 gauge double-barreled shotgun with a longer barrel will perform exceptionally well.

For general shooting, a pump action 20 gauge is a great choice. It is lighter and kicks less than 12 gauge, making it more enjoyable to shoot.

Conclusion

Hopefully this article has taken some of the guesswork out of buying a shotgun for you.

There are a few factors to consider, but having this knowledge and comparing it to your desired use will make it easy to select a shotgun.

What’s Rifle in Wind River Movie? Is That Good?

Wind River is a newer movie that is part western and part murder mystery. It takes place in Wyoming, and there are a few scenes where rifles are a significant part.

The main character is shown hunting coyotes with a bolt action rifle, but the most prominent weapon is the classic lever action used.

Here is trailer of movie:

What is Lever Action?

As the name might imply, lever action rifles utilize a lever to chamber the next round.

Generally speaking, the weapons have somewhat of a “loop,” if you will, that you put your hand in. This part of the weapon usually rests on the handguard of the weapon, to make for a very natural grip. They are generally just below the trigger guard.

After you pull the trigger, you make sure your pointer finger is out of the trigger guard, and then move the lever forward and then back to the starting position. This natural motion chambers the next round, and you are ready to shoot again.

Check out this YouTube animation that shows how a lever action works!

While lever action rifles do not shoot as fast as semiautomatic rifles, but they aren’t necessarily slow. They are likely faster than bolt action rifles, dependent on the user. However, lever action rifles are notoriously reliable and accurate.

They are excellent hunting rifles, because they are generally somewhat shorter, and can accommodate very large calibers. The reliability and accuracy also add into this. Some common lever action companies are Marlin, Colt, and Henry.

Which One Was in the Movie?

Now that you know what lever action rifles are, and what they are good for, I’m sure your wondering which one was in Wind River.

The rifle in the movie is a Marlin Model 1895SBL.

Marlin 1895SBL

This weapon is chambered in .45-70 Government, and has a 6 round capacity. It is a very sleek looking weapon, as I’m sure you noticed in the movie, but it is also an excellent big game rifle.

On top of its great looks, it also has plenty of stainless steel parts for durability. The laminated stock will match this durability.

Should I Get It?

Dependent on what you are trying to do, absolutely! This weapon is an excellent quality lever action rifle. It is on the expensive side, but would absolutely excel as a big game hunting rifle. The accuracy, reliability, and generally small size, make this an absolutely awesome choice.

You will need a scope for the rifle, but the picatinny rail makes it extremely easy to mount most scopes. Check out best scope for .308 rifle to choose one.

Conclusion

All in all, lever action rifles are fun to shoot and are excellent hunting rifles. Thanks to their smaller size, outstanding reliability, and well-known accuracy, they are an awesome option for hunting. They are also commonly available in very large calibers, while still being relatively small in size. For example, the Marlin Model 1895SBL pictured in Wind River is chambered in .45-70 rifle, but is only 37 inches long. That is a lot of punch packed into a small package.

For these reasons, the Marlin Model 1895SBL is an excellent big game hunting rifle. Be sure to check one out to see how you like lever action rifles!

What is the Difference Between an AR-15 vs M4?

Wondering what the differences are between the AR-15 vs M4 carbine?

The M4 Carbine used in the military and the civilian AR-15 are extremely similar weapons.

Look no further. In this article, we will go over some of the similarities and differences between the two weapons.

The History Of AR-15 vs M4

To start, we will talk about the history of both weapons.

The AR-15 was originally created by Armalite (as in ArmaLite Rifle ... not Assault Rifle) in the 1950s, but due to financial issues, they sold the rights for the weapon to Colt.

Colt began producing the Colt ArmaLite AR-15. It was designed to be a lightweight assault weapon, so as a result, Colt pitched the weapon to multiple militaries.

After some modifications by Colt, the rifle was introduced in the military as the M16.

The M4 was created as an improvement to the M16.

Once the military realized the need of a weapon that could operate in close quarters, a shorter and lighter version of the M16 was created.

The M4 was designed in the late 80s to early 90s, before being accepted by the military in the mid 90s.

Compared to the M16, the M4 features a shorter barrel and a collapsible stock, as well as a few lighter parts to cut down on the weight.

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What is different between AR-15 vs M4?

To compare the M4 to the AR-15, we will start with the differences because there are so many similarities.

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The differences between the two are extremely small. The M4 has a 14.5 inch barrel, while the AR-15 generally has a 16 inch barrel, although multiple sizes are available.

The primary reason for this is the law in the United States about short-barreled rifles. This law requires that rifles have at least a 16 inch barrel.

As a result of this shorter barrel, the M4 has a shorter gas tube. To deal with the decreased pressure as a result of this shorter gas tube, the M4 also has more pronounced feed ramps to ensure that the next round is seated properly each time.

The barrel of an M4 has an hourglass shape cut into it, which allows for military members to mount a grenade launcher to it. The last big difference between the two is that the M4 has either a three round burst or fully automatic firing option.

AR-15 vs M4: Similarities

As you can tell, there are very few differences between the two weapons.

The internals of the upper and lower receivers are very similar in both weapons.

The bolt and bolt carrier group of the two are the same.

The charging handle is the same.

The trigger and trigger assembly are the same.

Externally, the handguards and rail systems can be the same, dependent on which one you have on your AR-15.

Here is video about the fact you should know before buy an AR-15 or M4:

Which Should I Get, M4 or AR-15?

This is pretty much a trick question. Many people don’t know this, but the only way to get a true M4 is to go and talk to your local military recruiter.

The civilian AR-15 functions the exact same and is pretty much identical, but it is not the exact same as a true M4.

However, it is possible to get an AR-15 with the shorter barrel, as long as you have the proper tax stamp.

You can buy the exact same handguards as an M4, and could find a milspec lower, which would essentially give you the exact same weapon.

As far as the fully automatic feature, another tax stamp is required.

Conclusion

As you can see, the two weapons are extremely similar. There are very few differences between them.

The primary differences are the barrel, gas tube, feed ramps, and fully automatic functioning. In terms of similarities, the two are nearly identical.

If you have an AR-15, rest assured that it is extremely similar to the military M4.

What is Rust on a Gun and How to Remove Rust from a Firearm

Most modern firearms are treated with some type of exterior coating above the metal to reduce the chance of the metal underneath rusting.

However, this is not to say that it is impossible for a modern firearm to rust. Rusting is most common in older firearms. Looking to fix up one of grandpa’s old guns? Wondering how to get the rust off?

Look no further. We will go over the best way to take rust off a firearm, and some things to avoid doing.

It is worth noting that this will only help in removing surface rust off a firearm. If your gun has fully rusted through, it is going to take significantly more work than what we are recommending here.

What is Rust?

Rust forms when iron reacts with oxygen.

This process is referred to as oxidization. The process is generally really slow, but can be significantly sped up when the metal is introduced to salt or water.

This is the reason that one day in the rain can cause surface rust to form on a firearm.

How to Remove Rust

Removing rust is not a hard process.

You will have to essentially scrape it off, using a metal that isn’t as hard as the metal of the firearm.

You can use a harder metal, but it will ruin the finish of the firearm.

For this reason, your best bet to remove the rust off the firearm is going to be copper products. To successfully remove the surface rust, you’re going to want:

Copper wool. You can use copper wool to scrape the whole outside
Copper brush. The copper brush will help you get into the more tight spaces, and a caliber specific size will allow you to clean the barrel
Dry rags. Rags will help to wipe the scraped off rust off the surface of the firearm

Removing the rust is pretty easy. You just need to scratch it off using the copper products already mentioned.

It really is that simple. There is not an easier way to do it safely. It’s just going to take some elbow grease to get the rust off.

How Not to Remove Rust

There are quite a few rust removal products available on the market.

While these may work for other metals, I would strongly recommend against using these chemicals on a firearm.

Since you don’t know what the surface of the firearm was treated with and what else might have been added to the metal, you have no idea how the chemicals will react with the metal of the firearm.

The result could inadvertently ruin your weapon. I have heard of some people using Evapo-Rust as a worst-case scenario rust remover, but would still recommend against that, if at all avoidable.

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Conclusion

That’s it. It really is that simple to remove the rust off of a firearm.

Unless it is completely rusted through, using some copper wool, a copper brush, and some good old-fashioned elbow grease will take care of the surface rust on a firearm.

There are some commercially available rust removal chemicals, but I would strongly recommend against using these.

Why You Should Own a Ruger 10/22 Rifle

The Ruger 10/22 is the most popular .22 rifle in America, and for good reason.

It has been around for over five decades and its popularity remains constant. Have you been looking for a .22LR weapon, or considering the Ruger 10/22?

This article will give some of the reasons for its popularity, to show you why it’s an excellent weapon for you to own.

Reliability. The semiautomatic functioning of this weapon is extremely reliable. This mechanism hasn’t changed much since the weapon’s inception, and continues to be extremely reliable and consistent feature
Multiple options. One of the best features of this weapon is the number of different options available. There are classic wood-styled weapons and modernized black synthetic weapons. There are also compact sizes available. The Ruger 10/22 is an excellent weapon to teach a new shooter with. Due to the small rimfire .22LR cartridge, there is minimal recoil, and it is very quiet
Takedown model. This one option deserves its own point. One model of the Ruger 10/22, the Takedown, has a barrel that is detachable. As such, you are able to pack the weapon down into a smaller package. This is an excellent feature for a survival rifle or to take camping
Durability. The weapon is extremely resistant to the elements, due to its outer coating and polymer trigger housing
Affordability. As far as firearms go, this is one of the most affordably priced weapons. There are slightly cheaper .22LR weapons available, but none will be nearly as high quality as the Ruger 10/22. This weapon is an excellent value purchase
Trigger. The trigger of this weapon is extremely smooth and consistent. As mentioned before, it is housed in a polymer trigger housing that is extremely resistant to the elements
Positive safety. The manual cross bolt safety is an excellent feature, especially when using this weapon to teach new shooters
Scope mounts included. The weapon comes from the manufacturer with a scope base adapter and scope mounts included, which makes it extremely easy to install a scope on the weapon. The best scope for ruger 10/22 is good choice for your rifle.
Rotary magazine. The 10 round rotary magazine is extremely smooth and reliable. Since it’s a rotary style magazine, it is neatly tucked into the weapon to maintain a sleek look. It is equally easy to release the magazine

Conclusion

There is so much to love about the Ruger 10/22, but these are just a few of the highlights.

It’s an extremely smooth and consistent weapon that is very easy to use. The durability will make you feel comfortable with your purchase.

As long as it is treated properly, there is no reason that you won’t be able to pass this weapon along to your children one day.

All of these features come at an affordable price, to sweeten the deal.

All in all, the Ruger 10/22 is likely the best .22LR weapon on the market, and there are plenty of reasons to own it.

10 Tips for Choosing Your First Handgun

Are you starting to shop for your first handgun and feeling overwhelmed?

Choosing the first handgun

There are so many factors to consider! In this simple guide, we will give you a few key tips to keep in mind, to hopefully assist you in making the best purchase for you.

For someone new to firearms, handguns can seem extremely complicated. All of the different features can be overwhelming, but over time, they become easier and easier to understand.

1. What purpose will the handgun serve?

This should be self explanatory, but make sure to take into account what the handgun will actually be used for.

If you are looking for a concealed carry weapon, you are likely looking for a much different weapon than if you are looking for a home defense weapon.

2. Quality of your handgun

Handguns definitely follow the golden rule of “you get what you pay for.” If you buy one of the cheapest available handguns, you are likely to have issues with it at some point.

3, Grip size.

This is one of those things that when you know, you know. When you pick up what will be your new handgun for the first time, you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about. It’ll fit in your hand just right. Keep in mind that some handguns have replaceable grips and backstraps, so you can adjust the grip somewhat. Folks with larger hands will struggle to find a smaller weapon that fits their hand.

4. Thumb safety.

This can be a huge factor for some people. For me personally, I feel much safer and more comfortable with a handgun that has a manual thumb safety as opposed to a trigger safety.

Whatever kind of safety features your weapon has, make sure you feel comfortable with it and know how to operate it.

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5. Magazine capacity.

This somewhat ties in to the first tip, but what magazine capacity are you looking for? Keep in mind your use for the weapon.

6. Caliber.

Also ties into the first tip. If you are looking for a sidearm for big game hunting, you probably want to consider a larger round, such as .45ACP, whereas if you are looking for a pistol that fits in your pocket, you’re going to be looking for a .380.

7. Exposed hammer?

Some people prefer hammer-fired weapons with an exposed hammer, as you can always see the position of the hammer. The argument against this is always that you should know what state your weapon is, and the hammer is only one more thing to catch on your holser/pants/shirt.

8. Revolver or pistol?

This has been written about many times. Long story short, revolvers are more reliable and can shoot larger projectiles, and pistols have a larger magazine capacity.

9. Cleaning ability.

If you’re looking for your first handgun, it is likely that you are relatively new to firearms. Make sure that your new handgun is relatively easy to take down to clean. Don’t forget to buy a cleaning kit or some cleaning supplies to go along with your new weapon!

10. Sights.

It may seem like a small thing, but those difficult to see sights aren’t going to get any better with time.

Make sure you can accurately acquire a good sight picture with your new weapon.

Conclution

As with anything firearms related, safety is the most important thing to consider.

Before buying your first handgun, do a little research on how to safely operate and handle a handgun. This may save you an awkward minute at the gun store, and will also give you some confidence with your new piece of equipment while ensuring that you and everyone around you remains safe.

What’s Difference Between Shotguns vs Rifles and Who Should Use Which?

To someone new to hunting or firearms, it can be a difficult to decision to choose between a shotgun and a rifle.

In this article, we will go over the pros and cons of each, and make recommendations for when each one is better.

Before starting, we will go over some shotgun and rifle basics.

What Are Shotguns?

Shotguns are firearms that shoot shells rather than the traditional cartridge.

Shells are loaded into the shotgun, and are either automatically or manually (pump style) cycled through after shooting the shotgun.

Shotguns traditionally fire “shot,” which is a higher quantity of smaller projectiles, but can also fire a slug. Slugs are one larger projectile, and essentially make the shotgun a basic rifle.

The Pros and Cons of Shotguns

The pros of a shotgun are the versatility, legality, and slug size.

Shotguns are some of the most versatile weapons. With very few changes, you can hunt birds and big game with the exact same weapon.

weapon used has a significant impact on the range

By changing the shell used, you are able to do many different types of hunting with a shotgun.

In some places, you are not able to hunt with a rifle. In this situation, a shotgun shooting a slug is an excellent choice to be able to hunt.

Similarly, a slug that is shot from a shotgun is generally much larger and heavier than traditional rifle projectile.

As a result, a shotgun shooting slugs is much deadlier.

The cons of a shotgun are the accuracy and the range.

When a shotgun is used to shoot slugs, it is not nearly as accurate as a high quality rifle.

While scopes can be mounted on a shotgun, the accuracy is still limited.

There are shotguns available specifically for slugs with a rifled barrel, but this limits the shotgun to only shooting slugs.

Similarly, the range is limited to 75-100 yards, while high quality rifles can easily shoot out to 300+ yards.

What Are Rifles?

While there are countless different types of rifles, they all function basically the same.

Rifles fire a traditional cartridge, which has a projectile located above a propellant filled casing. Rifles fire this projectile downrange at extremely high rates of speed. There are many different cartridge sizes available.

The Pros and Cons of the Rifle

The pros of a rifle are the range, accuracy, and the available options.

Sightmark Ultra Shot Reflex Sight-2

As previously mentioned, many modern rifles can accurately shoot out to 300+ yards.

When paired with modern optics, shooting to 300 yards is not even a stretch for the experienced marksman.

Due to the rifling in the barrel, rifle projectiles are able to travel much further and much more accurately.

With modern rifles, there are many options available. There are seemingly endless cartridge sizes and ammunition types.

Choosing the exact cartridge size you would like to shoot and pairing it with a hand chosen ammunition will help to ensure your exact needs are met.

However, even with the multiple cartridge and ammunition possibilities, rifles are still extremely limited compared to shotguns.

If you are having an ar15, you should choose the best optic for your AR-15.

The cons of a rifle are its limited uses and potential legality issues.

Despite the fact that there are so many cartridges available, once you select your rifle, that specific cartridge is all that the weapon will be able to shoot.

With a shotgun, you can shoot multiple different loads of shot as well as slugs.

The other con, as previously mentioned, is that in some areas it is not legal to hunt with a rifle.

Why would a hunter choose to use a shotgun with slugs instead of a rifle?

First, there are some places where it’s illegal to hunt with a rifle.

In areas like this, hunting with a slug gun is absolutely necessary. However, there are other reasons to use a shotgun slug instead of a rifle as well.

If you hunt in an area with a lot of brush, a slug will travel through brush much better than a rifle bullet. Similarly, due to the stopping power, if you’re shooting within 100 yards, a shotgun is a better choice.

Shotgun Slug vs Rifle Bullet

Shotgun slugs and rifle bullets are similar in some regards, but different in others.

On one hand, they are both largely used for hunting deer and other larger animals. However, there are some key differences. Right off the bat, the biggest difference is the size.

Shotgun slugs commonly weigh about an ounce (437.5 grains), while rifle bullets are usually closer to 150 grains, dependent on the size.

Slugs are also significantly wider, at .69 inches in diameter, compared to rifle bullets which are commonly half that diameter or less.

As you can imagine, the significantly increased size and weight of the slug can be extremely devastating. A well placed shot with a slug will stop a deer dead in its tracks.

Recommendations

If you are planning on doing nothing but hunting for larger animals, such as deer, elk, and hogs, I would recommend getting a fine tuned modern rifle
If you know for a fact that you will be taking similar shots over and over again, a rifle is going to be your best bet, as long as it is legal in your area.
If you live in a flat area, where you will likely be taking long distance shots, you absolutely need a rifle.
If you plan on doing multiple types of hunting, but don’t mind buying multiple weapons, I would still recommend a rifle due to the increased accuracy and range.
However, if you plan on doing multiple types of hunting, but only want one firearm, a shotgun is the way to go. Choosing different loads will allow you to do many different types of hunting with this one versatile weapon.
If you plan on only hunting for birds, a shotgun is definitely your best bet.
If you live or hunt in a heavily wooded area, I would recommend a shotgun. As a result of the terrain, it is unlikely that you are going to take any shots at long distance. The added size and weight of a shotgun slug will be deadlier, but will also cut through foliage better.
If it’s illegal to hunt with rifles where you’re from, a shotgun is your best bet. If you’re looking for a home defense weapon, a shotgun will function admirably.

Conclusion

As you can see, both rifles and shotguns serve specific purposes.

While there are definitely circumstances where one is better than the other, they are both very useful weapons.

Shotguns are some of the most versatile firearms out there, and modern rifles have come a long way in terms of effective range and accuracy.

All said, decide what you need your firearm to do, and decide from there whether a shotgun or a rifle better suits your needs.

What Are Shotgun Slugs and When Is It Better to Use a Slug?

To first understand the basics of shotgun slugs, you must understand what exactly a slug is and how a shotgun works.

How a shotgun works

A shotgun is a firearm that shoots shells rather than the traditional rifle cartridge.

So what's the shotgun shells?

Shotgun shells are generally plastic and are filled with their intended projectiles
Shotgun shells are commonly filled with smaller projectiles, called shot, but can also have one singular piece of metal, called a slug

The traditional rifle cartridge is generally some type of a metal filled with a propellant and the projectile on top of the cartridge. Both are fired by a firing pin striking a primer.

After the shotgun is fired, many shotguns are pump action. When the pump is pushed rearward, it ejects the spent shell, and loads in the next shell.

What exactly is a slug

As previously mentioned, a slug is one solid projectile, rather than smaller projectiles, such as birdshot or buckshot.

When a slug is fired from a shotgun, one larger solid projectile is fired, making it similar to a rifle firing a bullet. A shotgun firing a slug can be viewed as a simple rifle.

Pros and cons of using a slug

Strength of Slug

When compared to a similar hunting rifle, a shotgun slug is much heavier. source

Generally speaking, a rifle slug is at least twice as heavy as a comparable rifle bullet. I have a article to compare shotgun with rifle, you can read it in here.

While an advanced rifle fires its projectile nearly twice as fast, the sheer weight of a shotgun slug makes it extremely deadly.

The Cons of Slugs

However, the range of a shotgun with a slug is much less than that of a rifle.

A general rule of thumb is that slugs work within 100 yards. Modern advanced rifles can accurately shoot out to at least three times that far.

Another con of using a slug is that they cost slightly more than rifle ammunition.

Man is holding his Shotgun

When is it better to use a slug?

There are multiple situations in which using a shotgun firing slugs would be better than using a rifle. This is some situations:

Legal issue: In some states and areas, you aren’t able to hunt using a rifle. In an area like this, using a shotgun shooting slugs will allow you to continue hunting legally
About weight: If you are hunting large game, due to the weight of the shotgun slug, you will have a deadlier shot. While there are also bigger rifle cartridges, these come with larger weapons. Shotguns are generally easier to carry around than a much larger comparable rifle
About performance: In heavily wooded areas, using a slug may also be preferential. As a result of the added weight and size, a slug will be able to penetrate through brush easier. Similarly, in any situation in which your expected shot is within 100 yards, a slug will be better than most rifle cartridges, because it is more deadly.

Conclusion

Shotguns are an extremely versatile weapon. Slugs are just another facet of their versatility.

Shooting slugs from a shotgun give you a basic rifle. While the range is greatly decreased, it fires a much larger and heavier projectile than most rifles, making it a much deadlier projectile. (You should choose the best scope for ar15 rifle to make a perfect shot)

While the slug is by no means a one size fits all answer, there are definitely specific circumstances in which shooting a slug is more than likely better than most rifles.

While it will ultimately come down to personal preference, a shotgun shooting slugs is a formidable weapon for hunting.