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3 Reasons Why Every Gun Enthusiast Needs a Rifle!

Some of you might already know this but the oldest firearm on earth is in fact the rifle! Rifles have come a long way from what they used to be. This being said, the same was as effective then as they are now. Lethal, fast and feared!

Firearms Today

When it comes to firearms today, there seems to be a whole lot to choose from. You want something smaller, you go for a handgun. You want something overbearing, a shotgun is where it’s at. You want to be regal or tip your hat to your heritage, a colt – 45 type revolver is probably where it’s at!

Why You Need a Rifle

All that being said, if you’re someone who truly considers themselves a firearm enthusiast, it wouldn’t be right if you didn’t have at least one rifle in your private collection or arsenal. Are you wondering why? We’ll tell you!

Rifles have Value

When it comes to purchasing firearms as investments, rifles are known to appreciate in value if kept well and maintained. As someone who collects firearms, it makes sense to have one of these babies in your cabinet even if you don’t really intend on using it. Chances are, what was a whim for you, holds massive value for your future generations.

Rifles are Old School

Save for semi-automatics, there is something to be said about the classiness and old school clout that a rifle brings. For one, handing a rifle is not everyone’s piece of cake. Rifles were also considered a rite of the package back in the day and in a sense, the “trusty companion” of most men back when the country was still young and barely populated. They didn’t use semi-automatics in the war for independence. They used rifles!

Rifles are Fun and Useful

You can only really understand the joy of shooting and handling a rifle if you have done so yourself. They are accurate, fun to aim and extremely fulfilling to shoot. As a hobby it is also fun to learn a thing or two about rifle maintenance and repair. You can use your rifle for self-defense, practice long range target shooting or even use it as a deterrent for attackers.

What we’re saying is, if you own a rifle, you stay safe and have a nice time understanding how the same works.

The Upshot

Sure there is a lot to choose from when it comes to firearms. That being said, having a good old rifle in your collection is never a bad idea. Just make sure you purchase your firearms from a reliable vendor!

AK-USA is a reputable gun and ammunition retail and customization service provider based in Fort Myers. The store offers customers looking to buy arms and ammunition as well as accessories online a versatile choice of products.

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What’s in the Action: Common Shotgun Action Types

The UN has categorized guns into eight standard classifications which include pistols, revolvers, machine guns, rifles and shotguns and others. Common uses for shotguns include but are not limited to self defense, protection of property and hunting.

If you’re looking to buy a shotgun in the near future, it would help to know what this firearm is about; more precisely, specifics regarding the different kinds available to you.

Shotguns and Different Types

Shotguns are classified by action as well as by gauge (this as opposed to caliber which is the word applied when discussing other types of firearms). A brilliant and foreboding choice when it comes to close quarter self defense and usage, shotguns leave a little wanting by way of long distance aim and accuracy.

This being said, when it comes to stopping power, these firearms are nothing short of devastating which make them a brilliant home defense candidate. Like with rifles, shotguns are available in a range of action types which we will proceed to go over briefly.  

Pump Action Shotguns

Remember the James Cameron film Terminator 2? The gun Arnold was using—the one he’d reload with a single hand? That was a pump action shotgun. Though essentially similar to bolt actions by method of operation, reloading a pump action involves placing rounds in the magazine and then simply cocking the bottom grip or handle back and forward. This causes the shell to spring into the chamber, ready to fire.

Simplicity, ruggedness, versatility and reliability have made pump-action shotguns the overwhelming choice for law enforcement and military units throughout the world.

Bolt Actions

Bolt action shotguns are not used very extensively. The bolt action here works pretty much in the same way as it does with rifles of the same action type. To load, a bolt needs to be turned and pulled back. This reveals the shotgun’s chamber which may then be loaded. A reverse movement on the bolt places a shell in position, stripping the topmost cartridge from its placement within the magazine. The rifle may now be fired. The bolt movement must be repeated after every shot.

Bolt action shotguns have been traditionally used for hunting applications.  

Break Actions

The simplest and arguably safest type of shotgun, break action shotguns have workings similar to air rifles (which were once commonly sold at toyshops). There is a break at the point where the chamber of the gun meets the barrel.

The barrel is pushed down and cocked for loading. Shells are placed in the chamber and the barrel is put back into position. Break action shotguns are relatively easy to maintain. They are primarily used today for hunting, sport shooting and competition.  Break actions are available in both double and single barrel designs.

Semi-Automatic Shotguns

Semi-automatic, also referred to as auto-loading shotguns will fire one shot per pull of the trigger until empty.  The principal strength of the semi-auto shotgun is speed.  Today, they are used in a wide variety of roles.  Target shooting, hunting, competition and defense.

This design requires somewhat more maintenance, is not as flexible in the range of ammunition selection of the pump and break action and generally requires more training particularly for defense.  

Winding Down

This article should give you a brief sense about what is available to you when you proceed to buy your own shotgun and help you make a choice which suits you best. Remember; you will have a lot to choose from even if you narrow down action types so do take the time to go over your options. After all, a firearm is a serious investment.  

AK-USA is a reputable arms and ammunition retail and customization service provider offering customers looking to buy arms and ammunition as well as accessories online a versatile choice of products.

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Handgun Selection: Revolvers Vs Semi Automatic Pistols

Though crime rates in the USA have dropped in the past few years according to statistics, the risk of becoming victim to a violent crime or some sort of act of aggression is still possible. While it always helps to avoid aggression and violence in any situation and take the high road if you will, there are instances where carrying a firearm for protection might actually help.

Even if you aren’t partaking in a firefight or actually shooting your weapon, a firearm can serve as a useful deterrent to diffuse situations that may escalate.

Choosing a Personal Carry Weapon

When it comes to choosing a weapon to carry for self-defense, handguns usually make a fine choice. Revolves and semi-automatic pistols are easy to use handguns and don’t require much maintenance.

Unless you plan on purchasing both, you may be wondering which of the two types you should opt for. Specifications vary within these categories, including; caliber, capacity, weight, and size. That being said, there are certain commonalities which will help you narrow your choice down to either revolvers or semi-automatic pistols in general.

Revolvers

Revolvers may be available in both single as well as double action designs. The single action requires manual cocking of the external hammer to fire each shot.  The single action design today is popular for nostalgia and target shooting and not the common choice for self-defense.  The double action, as its name implies is capable of firing by just pulling the trigger.  This one action will advance the cylinder, cycle the hammer and fire one shot.  This is repeated until empty. It can also be fired in the single action mode. With cylinders capable of holding anywhere between 5 and 10 rounds in most cases, revolvers are prized most for their simpler method of operation and reliability.

This is attributed to the very simple and extremely visible firing mechanism and cycle.  This allows the firing condition of the gun to be known.  Revolver jams are rather uncommon and un-jamming a revolver is a relatively quick and simple process. As well, a misfire requires merely pulling the trigger again.  Further, revolvers are generally easier to maintain than their semi-automatic counterparts, making them a good choice for first time buyers or those that will receive minimal training.

On the flipside, the argument against revolvers includes a slower reload time as well as a slower rate of fire and limited round capacity in comparison to some semi-automatic pistols. There is also some argument about ease of handling more in favor of semi-automatics when it comes to amateur gun use and accuracy.

Semi-Automatic Pistols

You have numerous well known gun companies that manufacture semi-automatic pistols. Available in a range of specifications, semi-automatic pistols are acknowledged for a quicker rate of fire than revolvers generally speaking. They are also simpler to reload and offer a higher round holding capacity than revolvers for the most part.

Arguments against semi-automatic pistols include the fact that they are more prone to jamming which is a problem near non-existent with a revolver.  A “jam” is a very old term which as it applies to the semi-automatic pistol can refer to a wide range of conditions.  This could be a failure to feed, a failure to eject, a misfire, etc.  A pistol “jam” might not be the best thing to experience if the situation is dire and the individuals training is limited.  This said, the modern pistol is a very advanced design and with proper training and good ammunition is nearly as reliable as a revolver. Further, DIY semi-automatic pistol maintenance can be a little trickier than revolver maintenance because of slightly more complex mechanisms that remain hidden for the most part. And finally, the “actions” of some can be stiff and hard to operate, particularly for those of small stature.

The Upshot

The idea here was to give you the most important information with regard to your two broader options. Look at what each offers, think about what you need from your firearm, think about your level of commitment to attain proficiency and what you’re comfortable with and pick accordingly.

Once you narrow it down to a semi-automatic pistol or a revolver, or both, there will still be a bunch of things you need to consider before making that final specific selection. Hopefully, this article has been some help narrowing down your options! If it has, maybe check out what’s available and proceed accordingly!

AK-USA is a reputable arms and ammunition retail and customization service provider offering customers looking to buy arms and ammunition as well as accessories online a versatile choice of products.