Prepping Firearms for Beginners
The topic of firearms and weapons can be overwhelming for beginners. Adding the context of prepping and choosing a starting point can be even more difficult. If you have made the decision to prepare for a shtf event and want to include firearms in your planning but don’t know where to begin, then you are in the right place. I wish to help you avoid a few common mistakes that I have seen others make and give you some things to consider before choosing a firearm or firearms for your plan. As a reminder, I suggest that everyone check State and Federal Laws before purchasing a firearm. Keep everything legal.
This article will offer a broad overview of firearms, aimed at giving you a starting point. I will offer you some ideas to consider before buying. Subsequent articles, should I choose to write and publish them, may offer greater detail and focus on specific areas of this topic.
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Making the Choice
Choosing to purchase a gun is a big decision. There is a huge responsibility with not only just having it but also with using it. A gun is useless if you’re not ready to use it. You must train with it regularly. You must be proficient with it and maintain a level of proficiency. You also have to prepare mentally to use it. Everything in this article about guns is to be considered within the context of self-defense too. I am not pro-murder and taking another life is serious business, even when the situation is kill or be killed. So you have to understand that when you’re facing a deadly threat and you decide to take the other person’s life, you are taking everything they have and everything they’ll ever have. It’s perfectly natural not to feel comfortable with that reality and if this is too much for you, then go ahead and make the choice to exclude firearms from your life. They aren’t for everyone and I understand if you’re not mentally ready to accept this responsibility. Just stop reading here and move on. You’re not ready.
However, for those of us who have chosen to accept it, keep reading. You have decided that you will do whatever it takes to defend your life or the lives of others, which you have an absolute right to do. I’ll make no bones about it, the Second Amendment was written so that there was no question about whether or not you had the right to defend yourself. It certainly had nothing to do with hunting. That was a way of life already. Whether it was against tyrants or murderers, the right to bear arms was put into 27 words so that the citizens of this country could defend their absolute right to their own lives.
Now, in terms of prepping, firearms offer an advantage over other types of weapons. Some guns are better for eliminating threats at close range and are easier for some to use than contact weapons, such as bats or knives. Some allow the user to neutralize a threat from a distance. If used with skill, they can be used in such a manner that minimizes the exposure of the user and others to the threat. Modern firearms offer the ability to engage several threats in a short period without having to reload as often. Many can be reloaded quickly with a little practice. Reloading drills are just as important as marksmanship drills because they build the muscle memory required to keep your gun in a fight. Being able to clear the malfunctions of a gun is also important. I will tell you later in the article how to practice both at the same time.
Safety
Before I get too far along, I have to mention gun safety. Safety is very important and I cannot stress it enough. There is what’s called the Rule of Four or the 4 Rules of Firearms Safety. Now is a good time to learn if you’ve never heard of this before. If you follow the rule of four, then you will protect yourself and others from getting seriously hurt or killed.
They are as follows:
Treat every gun as if it is loaded.
Always keep the firearm pointed in a safe direction
Keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
Be sure of your target and what’s behind it.
It is absolutely critical to always follow these rules. Discharging a firearm accidentally (also called a negligent discharge or ND) could have catastrophic consequences to others and serious legal consequences. The rules offer a multiple redundant set of fail-safes to prevent accidents. Trigger discipline is one of the most important fundamentals. If it helps you to remember to keep your finger off the trigger, then remember the phrase: Keep Your Booger Hook Off the Bang Switch.
As a general rule of thumb, I check the chamber of a firearm with my index finger to see if it is loaded. I use my finger to physically touch and feel the breech to see if there’s a cartridge there. This assures me that I didn’t miss anything after a visual inspection. I also don’t ever hand anyone else a loaded firearm. Handing someone a loaded weapon in my opinion is generally not a good idea because doing so could result in a ND.
Before shooting a gun you will want to protect your hearing and your eyes. Make sure to invest in a good set of safety glasses and ear protection. There’s a variety of ear protection on the market, but if you get a set of noise-canceling earmuffs, then I suggest getting a set with a 3.55mm speaker jack. This will enable you to integrate a communications device, like a radio, at a later point in time. This is certainly something worth considering because if you’re serious about prepping, you’ll realize that communication is a priority. Shoot. Move. Communicate. Having other people with you, whether they are family members, neighbors, or friends, for neighborhood or community defense is better than being alone. You will need to coordinate. You will need to communicate. This is why having your ear protection integrated into your communications is crucial. How else will you protect your hearing while shooting or being shot at? Some firearms, when discharged, are loud enough to cause permanent hearing loss. Protect your hearing.
Fundamentals
Let’s talk basics. Shooting a firearm requires a few things such as trigger pull, sight picture and breathing.
Pulling the trigger isn’t as easy as it seems. To shoot with any degree of accuracy, pulling the trigger must be done regularly and there has to be consistency in how it is done. It must be pulled straight back without moving the other fingers or parts of the hand. Tiny movements in other fingers can cause the jerking of the trigger, which can result in missing the target. Jerking the trigger is a common mistake that even I have had problems with. To pull the trigger with any degree of consistency, practice. Dry fire drills are a good way to practice without spending money on ammo. There are several devices on the market to help with this. Simply search on the internet and find one with good reviews.
Another way to practice is to put an empty shell casing on the end of the barrel and dry fire the weapon. Dry fire, by the way, refers to releasing the firing pin on an empty chamber by pulling the trigger. Snap caps, which are plastic dummy rounds, loaded into live ammo while on the range are another tool to help. At the end of the day, however, it comes back to practicing so that muscle memory can be built. Shooting, after all, is a diminishable skill.
Sight picture refers to aligning the front and back sights of the weapon with the target. Sights can vary widely from weapon to weapon, so it is critical to know how they line up before using one. Before firing a gun, make sure you know how the sights align and then put those sights on the target you wish to shoot.
When shooting, it’s important to control your breathing. The movements from the rise and fall of the chest during breathing affect accuracy. Don’t shoot until the action is complete. Take a deep breath, exhale and then pull. That way, your chest isn’t rising or falling and you will hit your target.
One last thing I’ll mention is that it is easier to control a semi-automatic rifle than it is a pistol, shotgun or other type of firearm. Learning and practicing these fundamentals first on a rifle will greatly help any beginner learning to shoot for the first time.
Still with me? Good. There’s more to cover. Don’t forget to share!
Basic Types of Firearms
I want to discuss three categories of weapons platforms. These three categories will cover the different weapons for beginners and first-time gun buyers. Firearms in each category have their own place and application for self-defense, which in a shtf scenario is important. For example, when other people are trying to break into your stockpile of supplies, how will you get them to stop? Hungry people become desperate. Desperate people are dangerous. Therefore, hungry people are dangerous. Some hungry people have weapons. Some will use those weapons to rob others of their stockpile of supplies. What’s the best way to stop those who are desperate? I believe a gun is the best way and that’s what I plan to use.
What type of gun is best? The answer depends on the circumstances. Different circumstances require different tools. I think these tools can be broken down into three categories: shotguns, pistols, and rifles.
Shotguns
What is a shotgun? A shotgun is a long-barreled firearm that shoots a cartridge called a shotshell. Most shotgun barrels are not rifled. These are called smooth-bore barrels. Rifled barrels are made and can be placed on a shotgun. Shotshells discharge a group of spherical projectiles called shot or a single solid piece of shot called a slug. Shotguns are useful for shorter distances and closer threats. At close range, they are effective at eliminating one or more threats. They come in a variety of calibers, with 12 gauge being the most common for self-defense. It is important to note that the size of the chamber may vary between 2 3/4 inches and 3 inches. The reason for this is that shotshells come in these sizes. A 3-inch chamber will accommodate both sizes of shells. The larger 3-inch shells have more gunpowder. The more powder, the greater the velocity of the shot leaving the barrel. The greater the velocity, the more force.
Different shotshells have a different number of projectiles. The greater the number of projectiles, the smaller their size. These are handy for bird hunting, and while deadly, I don’t believe birdshot is optimal for self-defense. They usually come in the shorter 2 3/4 in cartridge so they’re also slower. This is good for avoiding overpenetration within the confines of your home, but buckshot is a popular solution for home defense. 00 Buck, a form of buckshot, has 9 projectiles that are 00 in size. The size of this shot is capable of quickly neutralizing a threat or set of threats at close range. Close range, meaning within twenty feet.
Shotguns do not require as precise aim as other guns. In a pinch, simply point the barrel at the threat and pull the trigger, letting the buckshot do the rest. The weapon will “kick” so it’s important to take your shotgun to the range and use it. You’ll get a feel for the recoil and how to compensate for it. The longer shotgun shells will kick more. This is important to know for follow-up shots. When faced with multiple threats, follow-up shots may be necessary. A large group of home invaders may require multiple shots.
To make it easier for me to take follow-up shots, I equipped my shotgun with a recoil-reducing stock made by Phoenix Technology. The Kicklite Stock on my shotgun reduces the recoil, therefore making additional pulls of the trigger a lot easier. This was an essential upgrade to my shotgun. I also upgraded the sights to fiber optic night sights and I mounted a flashlight under the barrel.
If you decide to put these upgrades on your weapon, be sure to take it to the range and try it out. Make sure you’re comfortable with how everything works. After you’re happy with how everything works, set up a new target at a known distance and take a shot. Then stop, secure the weapon so it is safe, and then measure the spread of the holes in the paper. A tape measure will make this easier, but simply measure the radius of the grouping. Knowing your spread at a given distance is important to know. The farther away the shot travels, the wider the spread. Shot will travel out and away from a barrel in the shape of a cone. That’s why it’s easier to hit a target with a scattergun. A “choke” on the muzzle end of a tapered barrel is a way to tighten the spread of the shot. Getting a tapered barrel with a choke may be something to consider before buying a shotgun. Regardless, knowing your spread for different distances will enable you to know what you can hit at any given distance.
One last thing, don’t buy cheap shotguns. It’s not necessary to spend a fortune on them either. Simply find a model that has a reputation for decent quality. It’s better if it’s a brand that’s been mass-produced so the military or law enforcement agencies can buy them. The high production will help ensure that the market has a lot of parts that will be handy during a collapse. They will be easier to find. It’s also handy to have a couple of loaded shotguns strategically placed around your area of operations for ease of access and ease of use.
Rifles
A rifle is an essential weapon to have when the world goes sideways. In a rural location, it may be a good idea to have a hunting rifle or two, to engage threats at a greater distance. Ranches and estates with several acres may have clearings and open fields. With proper planning, most threats won’t risk traveling across these areas. They would have already received the message not to mess with this place. That’s with the proper planning and the right way to communicate to them early on. However, I’m sure that there will be someone who didn’t get the message. If you’re smart, you’ll have some early warning detection system set up ahead of time to alert you that someone is creeping around out there.
Long-range shooting requires understanding how a bullet travels over a long distance. It requires calculations for distance and windage and good optics are a must for this level of marksmanship. We’re talking 600 yards or more. Careful consideration has to be given regarding the choice of caliber and cartridge. The fundamentals of shooting still apply. Before choosing a rifle for long range, first study the caliber you think you want. Reference the data on the ammo. You want to know how far it drops or rises at a given distance, its velocity, its mass, and how far it penetrates. Then look at how much a good scope costs versus how much the rifle costs. Good glass costs a lot. I would suggest looking at German, American or Japanese-made scopes.
Urban environments require something different. Most urban warfare engagements happen under 100 yards. The average may even be around 50-55 yards. Semi-automatic rifles are more than capable for these distances. Notice how I didn’t write “assault rifle.” AR stands for Armalite Rifle anyway. I may be digressing, but AR and AK-style rifles have their place in this environment. Kyle Rittenhouse demonstrated how to effectively use his AR-15 in an urban environment. He even defended himself at close range.
During the 1992 riots in Los Angeles, store owners on the rooftops of their stores defended their property with various types of guns, including semi-automatic rifles. These rifles were a little different from today’s AR-15s but they used the same 5.56mm caliber bullet and they were fed by a detachable box magazine. They demonstrated how a group of regular civilians can group together and defend their property on the streets of a big city.
The bottom line is that AR and AK-style rifles can be configured to carry a wide variety of optics, sights, grips, lights, lasers, suppressors, and many other accessories. These magazine-fed rifles are capable of stopping multiple threats at a wide range of distances, including those around 400-500 yards. You have to know what you’re doing and have the rifle set up for that, but it is possible. Taking follow-up shots with these rifles is a lot easier than with a shotgun and multiple shots can be made within a short period of time, making them the ideal platforms for close quarters and other environments.
For me, the AR platform is my go-to platform. I like the accuracy. I like how it operates. I’ve even dropped my AR in the sand and dirt before firing it. Yes, it still fired. My AK fires after being dropped in the sand, dirt and mud. It will fire after taking all kinds of abuse, but it may not be as accurate after suffering that abuse. That’s okay. Sometimes you just need the bang switch to make the gun go bang. Yes, I have both types. Should you? That’s up to you. I can’t answer that because I don’t know your situation.
If you decide to get an AR or AK-style rifle, then make sure to find a lot of good magazines, spare trigger kit, and a spare bolt. Then, stock up on ammunition. In the event that society decides it wants what you’re having for lunch for the next several years, there won’t be a way to buy more. At least, not like you can now. Ammo will be scarce and that will make it expensive. The ammo you buy today for your rifle will be the cheapest ammo you will ever buy and that also applies to all the accessories.
As far as accessories go, be mindful of adding too much weight to your rifle. A rifle that is too heavy is worthless. You’ll get tired of carrying it and that fatigue could get you killed. Put a good optic and flashlight on it. Have backup sights. Any more at this point and you might as well be carrying bricks. Lasers and IR illuminators are necessary for running night vision, but this article is for beginners, remember?
Familiarize yourself with the operation of the rifle. Learn how to take it apart and clean it. Then learn some basic gun smithing so you can repair or replace broken or worn-out parts on it. You’ll need a few tools like an armorer’s wrench and a stock wrench for this but trust me, it is well worth having this knowledge. If things get bad, you may have to rely on this knowledge to repair your weapons.
Then take it to the range and practice with it. Practice reloading. Remember when I mentioned I would tell you a good way to practice clearing a jam and reloading? Have your shooting partner load your magazines. Tell them to short load them, meaning they won’t be at capacity. This will make you reload more often, but when you’re out of ammo the bolt will lock open. This will force you to check the bolt, reload and close the bolt. Manipulating the rifle to reload or clear a jam is about the same. Repeat this often to build the muscle memory of reloading and closing the bolt.
You may want to have a way to carry multiple mags on you prior to doing these drills. A chest rig, gun belt or a plate carrier with mag pouches will help with carrying multiple magazines in a location on your body and that will enable easier access to those mags. Think ease of access under pressure. The easier it is to access spare mags, the better off you’ll be.
Pistols
Pistols are the most compact and concealable firearms platform. They are smaller and easier to carry than rifles or shotguns. They can be hidden inside the waistband and covered with a shirt or carried outside the waistband or even off the body in a bag. Maybe that’s why gangbangers like them. That’s certainly why law-abiding citizens like them too.
What you should know as a beginner is that learning to shoot a handgun is more difficult than learning to shoot with a rifle. Despite that, once proficiency on a rifle is reached, the fundamentals of shooting transfer right over. Sight picture, breathing and trigger pull are applied in much the same way. Get yourself a good holster that has good retention. The holster should cover the trigger and trigger guard to prevent a ND. Get a good belt to hold your weapon if you decide to carry it on your waist.
When looking at what to buy, find something that fits well in your hand. Make sure it is comfortable to operate. This is very important. You don’t want to buy something you don’t like and regret it later. Make sure you can operate the slide and mag release button if it’s a semi-auto. If it’s a revolver, then make sure you can open the cylinder and dump the shells. Pull the trigger. How does that feel? Smooth? What's the quality? What other features does it have? If you buy something that doesn't come with night sights, for example, that’s okay. You can probably change out the original sights and have a gunsmith install night sights later. You may ask about that when looking at a gun.
Look at the magazine capacities available for the weapon. Sorry California and New York, but 10 rounds is just stupid. The standard capacity on all my weapons is 15 rounds or more, except for a couple of bolt-action rifles in my basement. Higher magazine capacity means fewer reloads and more time on target. If it’s a revolver, then look at speed loaders or speed strips. Pay attention to the direction the cylinder rotates. Always reload ahead of the rotation so if you are under stress, you aren’t pulling the trigger on empty cylinders. “Click, Click, Bang!” won’t win the battle but, “Bang, Bang, Bang!” will.
Again, I recommend looking at weapons that are mass-produced so that accessories and ammo are found with greater ease. I also recommend renting various guns at your local gun range to try them out to see what you like. With a variety of pistol calibers, makes and models, everyone will have their own preference. If you have a group of individuals organizing and preparing for community defense, it may be a good idea to at least make sure you are using the same caliber so you can share ammunition. Some groups that I’m aware of have pistols that all use the same magazines too. That way if someone runs out, another person can just hand them a mag and he’s good to reload and keep his gun in the fight.
As you improve your pistol shooting skill, you will want to practice reloading. The drill with short loading the rifle mags can be applied to pistol shooting too. Again, you’ll want to have a way to carry spare mags. During normal operating circumstances, having spare mags is still a good idea because you may need them. Nobody can predict the future, but if you buy a pistol, carry it if it’s legal in your state. It’s a tool that comes in handy at the right time. I carry a pistol with me ALL THE TIME. I even carry it inside my home. That way, I’m not left having to go get a gun when the circumstances dictate that one is needed. It’s already with me. I also carry spare magazines on me. Everything is concealed on my body and if you correctly carry concealed, nobody will ever know.
I encourage beginners to take a concealed carry class in their state to learn the laws regarding firearms. The instructor should be certified to teach the class. Make sure to seek out a reputable instructor from a well-known establishment. Knowing the law will help your understanding of when and when not to shoot and what the consequences will be if you screw it up. You might want to consider getting legal insurance in case you’re involved in a shooting. There’s insurance for concealed carriers and there’s supplemental insurance offered for firearms owners as well. Just do your research. You’ll find it.
Also, consider putting your firearms in a gun trust. This not only protects your firearms in a variety of ways from the government and others, it sets your heirs up to inherit them at some point if something happens to you. There are a variety of lawyers who can help with this. Some specialize in this area. For instance, I had the Gun Trust Guru set up my trust after doing some research. He specializes in gun trusts and offers different tiers to suit your needs. If you ever plan to purchase a suppressor or a firearm regulated by the National Firearms Act of 1934, then I recommend protecting these things with a gun trust.
Conclusion
Are you still reading? Good. That was a lot of information, wasn’t it? I know this article is long and I appreciate you reading to the end. Before I conclude, I want to emphasize safety, safety, safety and practice, practice, practice. Don’t let your gun become a paperweight. Stock up on ammo, magazines, spare parts and other accessories you may need. This is not just about self-defense, but also about surviving the collapse. It’s about prepping to protect what’s yours. Buying a gun is a serious choice and you must take it seriously. You must learn how to safely incorporate it into your daily life.
Ultimately, it is up to you to decide to buy one, but I recommend having a weapon from each category in your home, per adult. Yep. That means three firearms per person for home defense during the collapse. This will enable each person to engage targets at all of the most likely distances (far, close and in between) and to stay in the fight until it is over. You’ll be able to stop multiple threats too. If you can only afford two, then get at least a pistol and a rifle. These two types of weapons should be the least to get you through.
I also recommend having at least two thousand rounds of ammunition per caliber per person. So, if you have a pistol and a rifle, you should have four thousand rounds minimum. I’m not joking. When the collapse happens, you won’t be leaving your home for a while, which means you won’t be buying ammo. Nobody is going to arrive at your door and say, “here’s some more ammo.” You need to start with those numbers and continue to get more. Plan on pure chaos and needing every round to survive. Depending on your location, you may need every single round. Make each shot count.
If you’re already experienced with firearms but you know someone who can benefit from reading this article, please share this with them. In the meantime, stay frosty with your head on a swivel. Thank you for reading. Take care and God bless.