duplex scope crosshairs logo in orange color
duplex scope crosshairs logo in orange color

How to Choose a Gun

If you are thinking about buying a gun, you should research as much as you can so you can make an informed decision. There are a lot of choices and this task can seem daunting, especially for first-time gun buyers. This article can help you start thinking about the basic factors to consider when choosing a gun.

What is the Gun’s Purpose?

One of the first things to determine is what you are going to be using your firearm for. Do you need something for home defense? Are you looking to do recreational or competition target shooting? Do you want to use your firearm for hunting? Answering these questions can help you narrow down the style of gun you are looking for.

Caliber and Recoil

Once you have determined what you want to use your gun for, you can start looking at the details. Caliber is a good place to start. In basic terms, caliber is the diameter of the bore (barrel) of the firearm and determines what size bullet that it fires. A gun that has a .22” diameter bore will fire a .22 caliber bullet. The higher the diameter of the bore, the larger caliber it can fire. The larger muzzle increases muzzle velocity and stopping power. A higher caliber weapon also has to be loaded more frequently as the ammunition is larger and not as many cartridges will fit in a magazine.

If you own a gun and plan on using it, it is important that you are able to control it. Higher caliber weapons have stronger recoil or kickback. This kickback or backward movement of the gun happens when a bullet is fired and is caused by the momentum of the bullet leaving the firearm. The larger the bore of the gun, the faster the muzzle velocity, and the stronger you feel the recoil. Additionally, higher caliber guns are often larger in the hand. A smaller caliber gun is easier to control because it has less recoil but it also has less stopping power. Smaller guns are perfect for defensive situations and better for someone who has small hands.

Quality and Maintenance

Purchasing a high-quality firearm can save you trouble down the road. This doesn’t mean that you need the most expensive gun on the market, but you will want to look at manufacturers with a reputation of making accurate and dependable weapons. Your gun store is a great place to start when shopping for any type of handgun. Here you can try a variety of weapons in different price ranges and you have expert salespeople there to answer any questions you may have. Looking at reviews online from reputable websites can also help influence your decision. You want to select a gun that is accurate, reliable, and made from high-quality materials.

You should also consider maintenance when choosing the right gun. If you are looking for a gun with less to maintain then a revolver may be best for you as it has less moving parts than semi-automatic handguns. However, semi-autos can hold more ammunition and fire at a faster rate.

Get Help Choosing a Gun

Testing out different styles and calibers at a shooting range is highly recommended when choosing a handgun. At The Hub, you can try guns you are interested in at our indoor shooting range and get a discount if you choose to purchase after. Our gun professionals are happy to answer any of your questions.

Visit The Hub in Tucson, Lakeside, or online to browse our selection of firearms.
a wide selection of guns at the hub gun store tucson

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