5 Things You Should Always Do With A New Firearm
After hours of online research and shopping for the best price, you finally have your new firearms purchase in hand. So, what comes next? There are a few steps you should go through with each new gun after you get home from your local gun store.
1. Become Familiar With How Your Firearm Operates
Start by inspecting your handgun, rifle, or shotgun from top to bottom and make a note of any key features (type of action, manual safeties, etc.) Once you have looked over all the external parts, field strip the firearm so you can examine the internal components as well. This provide an opportunity to make sure your gun is free of gunk / debris and that it is properly lubricated.
2. Clean / Lubricate Essential Parts
While some guns are ready to use out of the box, other models may require a quick cleaning in order to function properly. Remove any foreign substances using an appropriate solvent, like Hoppe's #9, and make sure all metal contact points are wiped clean before adding a couple drops of lubricant. A cleaned and lubricated firearm will run more reliably and will be less prone to malfunctions.
Note: We recommend always cleaning and lubricating pre-owned firearms thoroughly before use.
3. Practice Dry Firing With Your Gun
Different firearms have different actions and thus, offer a variety of trigger pulls from light to heavy. Before heading to the range, practice dry firing without ammo to familiarize yourself with your gun's trigger (take up, break, and reset). Consult the user's manual to determine whether you need to use snap caps when dry firing and always double check that the firearm is unloaded prior to pulling the trigger.
4. Make Sure You Have The Right Ammunition
Even for experienced shooters, the incredibly nuanced subject of ammunition can be challenging at times. Attempting to use the incorrect caliber or ammo type can have serious consequences, including injury or death. It's always a good idea to confirm that the ammo you purchased matches the chambering on your firearm (located in the manual and on the firearm itself).
PMC 9A Bronze Target 9mm Ammunition 115 GR FMJ, Brass Cased, Boxer Primed, Reloadable - 1000 Round Case
5. Hit The Range & Do Some Shooting
No firearms purchase is complete without the inaugural trip to your local range. Invest in a couple targets and some practice rounds so you can break in your new gun and find out how it functions during live fire. Above all else, remember to relax and enjoy yourself as you exercise your 2nd Amendment rights!
How To Disassemble & Clean Your Pistol
Routine cleaning and maintenance is especially important for a defensive firearm designated for concealed carry. Watch our video with Clint and Matt for a step-by-step guide for disassembling, cleaning, and reassembling your EDC pistol.
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