A Basic
Guide
To Buying Your First
Handgun
This information is designed as a GUIDE ONLY. It is not a set of rules. There maybe many
other things to consider in your situation. Seek out knowledgable, expert help
from NRA Certified Instructors. Take a course.
Use your head, the final
decision IS yours.
Important,
Firearm Safety Is Your Responsibility!
DEFINITIONS
- HANDGUN - is a firearm with a short barrel that is usually able to fit into a holster and be concealed. Handguns are divided into two categories, "Pistols" & "Revolvers".
- PISTOL - is a handgun that automatically loads another cartridge from a magazine when it is fired.
- REVOLVER - is a handgun with a rotating cylinder that hold the cartridges. Sometimes called a "Wheel Gun."
- CARTRIDGE/ROUND - is the entire assembly that is loaded into a firearm. It is made up of a bullet, a case, powder (smokeless powder), and a primer.
- BULLET - is the projectile that is fired from a gun.
- CASE - is the container that holds the powder, bullet and primer.
- POWDER - is the chemical that is used to create the gas to propel the bullet.
- PRIMER - is the device used to start the reaction in the cartridge.
- CALIBER - is how we rate the size of the gun. It reflects the approximate size of the diameter of the bullet.
QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF...Seek out help, if you need.
- Do I need a license or permit in my state?
- WHY do I want a gun? What is its purpose, defense or target use?
- What type of action to I want or need? Do I want a revolver or a pistol?
- What caliber is good for my purpose?
- What features do I need?
- What price can I afford?
- Does the handgun of my choice, fit my hand? Can I reach everything (like the safety, the magazine release, etc.)? Is it comfortable to carry, hold & shoot? Try to find a place locally where you can try the handgun of your choice.
TRIGGER TYPES
- DOUBLE ACTION (DA) - type triggers perform two operations. It can release the hammer to strike the firing pin (as in an SA), but it also cocks the hammer, if it is not already cocked, and loads the next round for firing. A double-action gun can be fired even if the hammer is not cocked by pulling the trigger. After the first round is fired, the handgun is left in the cocked position with the next round ready for firing. On some handguns this causes the first trigger pull to be heavy and the subsequent ones to be lighter.
- DOUBLE ACTION ONLY (DAO) - type trigger resolve the difference in trigger pulls, as with DA types. These types of triggers do not cock the hammer after the first shot, so all shots are fired with the heavier trigger pull.
- SINGLE ACTION (SA) - type triggers are the simplest. The SA trigger only performs one operation, it releases the hammer to strike the firing pin. The hammer is either cocked manually before the first round is fired or by the action of the handgun after firing a round. A SA type handgun CAN NOT be fired until the hammer has been cocked.
MAINTENANCE
Guns need to be maintained, and a cleaning is going to be a requirement.
When you buy a firearm, the manufacturer will supply you with an Owners Manual.
The manual will tell you how to clean that firearm.
If the Owners Manual
is missing, contact the manufacturer and they will send you one. These manuals
are usually free.
ALWAYS ASK FOR HELP.
Compliments of
the
Freeport Junior Program
www.FreeportJuniorClub.org
Juniors@freeportjuniorclub.org
BOOKMARK
THIS SITE