You may feel the need to join the 32% of American adults owning a firearm, but selecting the right one is not as simple as walking into a gun store and picking the one closest to your budget. Sure, a semi-auto rifle with a riflescope is handy at a shooting range, but it’s a poor choice as a concealed carry weapon. So, keep reading to learn how to choose a firearm suitable for your needs.
Here are the primary considerations when trying to find a firearm that fits your needs:
1. Ergonomics
You want the gun’s design to suit your hands comfortably. In short, when you use a secure two-handed grip, the safety, magazine, and cylinder releases should all be within reach for easy manipulation without unclutching the firearm.
2. Caliber
A larger caliber bullet will inflict more damage upon impact as it has a large diameter, so select one with a caliber that suits your needs.
For instance, a .22 caliber rifle is excellent if you plan on shooting at targets. However, if you’re looking for a solid defense handgun, you’ll want to look at a larger caliber firearm. A 9mm handgun would be a great choice.
3. Grip size
It would help to consider how comfortable you feel when holding the gun. Ensure that the grip of your firearm meets your needs; that is, it should feel like a part of you. If you have small hands, don’t rush out and buy the largest firearm you can find. The reverse is true.
Your middle finger and thumb should overlap when you wrap your fingers around the grip. The grip is too big if your middle finger doesn’t touch your thumb. On the other hand, if your middle finger overlaps your palm, then it’s too small.
4. Recoil
Recoil is the amount of force experienced after firing a weapon. If you don’t have much expertise, you’re better off with a firearm that has moderate to low recoil.
The caliber, size of the firearm, and material the gun is made of will influence the amount of recoil you’ll experience. Generally, steel pistols, though heavier, have less recoil than guns made from lighter-weight materials like polymer or Scandium.
5. Weight
If you can’t keep the firearm steady in a firing position for a minimum of 30 seconds, it’s too heavy for you.
6. Trigger Pull
Settle for a gun that needs reasonable force to squeeze the trigger and fire the weapon. Most guns have a standard trigger pull weight between 4 to 8 pounds. However, a firearm such as the Glock New York has a more significant trigger pull weight of 12 pounds.
Choosing a firearm can be tricky, but our Las Vegas Shooting Center team is on hand to provide expert help. Contact us today or call 702-778-5872 for help choosing a firearm.
