Guns, explained
What each kind of gun is for, the best ones to buy, how to clean and shoot them, and how to choose, buy and store the right ammunition. Start with safety, then pick a section.
The four rules of gun safety
Every class, every range and every hunter follows these. Learn them before anything else.
1
Treat every gun as loaded
Even when you "know" it is empty. Check it yourself, every time.
2
Never point it at anything you are not willing to destroy
Keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction at all times.
3
Finger off the trigger
Keep it straight along the frame until your sights are on the target and you have decided to shoot.
4
Know your target and what is beyond it
Bullets go through walls, brush and people. Be sure of your backstop.
Pick a section
Rifles
Long guns with a rifled barrel: .22s for practice, deer rifles, AR-15s. The best three, cleaning, shooting and ammo.
Shotguns
Shells full of pellets or a single slug: birds, clays, deer and home defense. Gauges, chokes and the best three.
Pistols and revolvers
Handguns: semi-automatics and revolvers, sizes and calibers, carrying, and the best three.
.50 caliber
The giants: .50 BMG rifles, .50 handguns and .50 muzzleloaders. What they cost, where they are legal, and how to shoot them.
Ammunition
Every common kind, how to read the box, where to buy it, what it costs and how to store it.
How a gun works
The action is the part that loads, fires and unloads each round. Most guns use one of these:
| Action | How it works | Found on |
|---|---|---|
| Bolt action | Lift and pull a handle to eject the empty case, push it forward to load the next round | Hunting and long-range rifles |
| Lever action | Swing a lever under the grip down and back up | Classic "cowboy" rifles, brush-country deer rifles |
| Pump action | Slide the forend back and forward | Most shotguns |
| Semi-automatic | Fires one round each time you pull the trigger and reloads itself | AR-15s, .22 rifles, many shotguns, most pistols |
| Break action | The gun hinges open to load one or two shells by hand | Single-shot and double-barrel shotguns and rifles |
| Revolver | A cylinder holds 5 to 8 rounds and turns to line each one up | Revolvers |
| Fully automatic | Keeps firing while the trigger is held | Military only for new guns; tightly restricted by federal law since 1934 and 1986 |
Caliber and gauge
Caliber is the bullet's diameter, in inches (.22, .45) or millimeters (9mm). Gauge is for shotguns: the smaller the number, the bigger the bore, so a 12 gauge is bigger than a 20 gauge. Always use the exact cartridge stamped on your gun's barrel.
Which gun first?
| If you want to... | Start with | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Learn to shoot | A .22 LR rifle | Almost no recoil or noise, cheap ammo, very forgiving |
| Hunt deer | A bolt-action rifle in .308, 6.5 Creedmoor or .243 | Accurate, simple, legal for deer almost everywhere |
| Hunt birds or shoot clays | A 12 or 20 gauge shotgun | Pellets spread out, so moving targets are easier to hit |
| Protect your home | A pump shotgun, a 9mm pistol, or an AR-15 | Each works; pick the one you will practice with most |
| Carry for protection | A compact 9mm pistol | Small enough to carry every day, with enough rounds |
| Protect a ranch or farm | A rifle in .223 or .308, plus a shotgun | Covers coyotes, hogs and close range |
Buying a gun
| Topic | What to know |
|---|---|
| From a dealer | Licensed dealers (FFLs) have you fill out ATF Form 4473 and run a federal background check (NICS). Most take minutes |
| Age | Federal law: 18 to buy a rifle or shotgun from a dealer, 21 for a handgun. Some states set higher ages |
| Private sales | Rules depend on the state; some require a background check through a dealer |
| Across state lines | A gun bought from another state, or online, must ship to a dealer in your state, who does the transfer |
| Who cannot own one | Federal law bars felons, people under certain court orders, those convicted of domestic violence, and others |
| Waiting periods and permits | Some states add waiting periods, purchase permits or registration |
Storing guns safely
| Option | Good for | About |
|---|---|---|
| Gun safe | Rifles, shotguns, and fire and theft protection | $300 to $2,000+ |
| Quick-access handgun safe | A bedside or vehicle pistol, opened with a code or fingerprint | $100 to $300 |
| Cable or trigger lock | Basic protection; often free with a new gun | $0 to $25 |
| Locked case | Traveling, and storing when there is no safe | $30 to $150 |
Many states have child-access laws that make you responsible if a child gets to an unlocked gun. Lock them up.
Get training
A basic safety class
Local ranges and gun shops offer first-shot and basic pistol, rifle and shotgun classes. Many are a few hours long.
Hunter education
Required in most states before you can buy a hunting license. Online plus a field day.
Practice with a pro
One lesson with a good instructor fixes bad habits faster than months on your own.