Women’s Outdoor News and Avery Skipalis bring you a video on key things to consider before you purchase a firearm. Purchasing your first firearm can be a daunting task when you aren’t properly prepared. This video will provide you a foundational guide to start the necessary research, in order to make the buying process as seamless as possible. There are many first-time buyer pitfalls that we want to ensure you don’t experience.
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If you’ve been on the fence about purchasing a firearm, but you don’t know what specific one to choose, then this article is for you. There are many different first-time firearm buyer considerations, but we are just going to cover some of the most important.
People often purchase a firearm based on recommendations from friends or family. This can be a disadvantage if the person making the recommendation doesn’t take the time to fully understand your needs or isn’t properly educated on the topic themselves.
The first thing you need to determine is the intended or main use of the firearm. Will it be for concealed carry, home defense, shooting sports, or a combination of uses? Caliber choice will also be dependent on the main use. Once you have that narrowed down you will need to determine your desired budget.
When determining your budget, make sure you take into consideration the price of accessories like holsters, ammunition, and a proper means to secure the firearm. Next, you can start to research manufacturers or brands.
While researching various firearms manufacturers, ask yourself: who offers the features you are looking for within your budget? Reliability, warranty, customer service, and aftermarket support are all areas you should research when narrowing down brands.
Reliability should be at the forefront due to firearms serving in a defensive capacity for the vast majority of individuals. Let’s face the harsh reality, firearms are defensive tools, and you want them to perform when you need them the most.
Warranty is also another key point for consumers. Don’t only focus on the timeframe of the warranty but also if it will transfer to other owners. This is important if you resell or pass on the firearm to a loved one.
Doing your own research and due diligence on the front-end can save you from making a less-than-ideal purchase. Also, remember not all sales representatives at gun stores have your best interest in mind. Some can use predatory sales tactics to steer you towards firearms they are having trouble selling. Remember, research is the best way to protect yourself, and don’t be afraid to go into the gun store with notes.
Avery Skipalis is the owner of Skip’s Tactical Solutions, an organization that focuses on empowering women, men and children to make sure that no one else becomes a victim. She gained her firearms experience from the military where she’s been a military firearms instructor for 10.5 years. She’s also a certified NRA rifle and pistol instructor and Glock Advanced Armorer since 2015. She’s attended Sig Sauer Academy, FNH, Special Operations Command Armorers courses as well as multiple Advanced Shooting Schools across the United States. She resides in Florida with her husband and 2 kids. She’s currently serving in the United States Air Force and loves sharing her passion with others. She thinks it’s important that women also feel like they’re in control of their own safety. View all posts by Avery Skipalis
