
<p>America is seeing a wave of new gun owners. During the early stages of the pandemic alone, about <a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2021-12-21/5-million-more-americans-became-gun-owners-during-pandemic">5 million Americans</a> bought their first gun. And that trend doesn&#8217;t appear to be slowing.</p>



<p>But owning a gun is more than filling out paperwork and making a purchase. A firearm is a tool like any other. And you only spend good money on a tool if you have a purpose in mind.</p>



<p>So before buying a gun, check out the brief on the various types of guns and what they&#8217;re used for.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Handguns</strong></h2>



<p>Handguns are so named because they can be operated with one hand. Their primary uses are for home and personal defense, although some oversized hunting handguns do exist. <strong>ar kit</strong></p>



<p>They come in two subcategories: revolvers and automatics.</p>



<p>Rather than having a magazine that feeds rounds into a chamber, revolvers have a rotating cylinder with multiple chambers. They come in three varieties.</p>



<p>A <strong>single-action</strong> revolver has a trigger that only performs one function: firing the gun. To ready the gun to fire, the user has to pull back the hammer manually.</p>



<p>A <strong>double-action</strong> revolver&#8217;s trigger performs two actions: racking the trigger and firing the gun. Though the user can draw back the hammer by hand to reduce the amount of pressure they need to exert on the trigger.</p>



<p>There are also <strong>double-action-only</strong> revolvers that don&#8217;t have exposed triggers at all. These are ideal for concealed carry, as they are less likely to snag on clothing when being drawn in a defensive situation.</p>



<p>By contrast, automatics are magazine-fed and have only one chamber.</p>



<p>They come in a variety of sizes ranging from micro-compact pocket pistols to full-sized models. Likewise, they can be chambered in a variety of calibers to suit the needs of their users.</p>



<p>And they come in a wide range of price points. A modest sub-compact can be had for a few hundred dollars, or the discerning customer can invest a good deal more in a high-end pistol like those of the Staccato line. To see some available options, check out <a href="https://secure.arnzenarms.com/catalog-search/manufacturer/24629/stock/1">arnzenarms.com</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Rifles</strong></h2>



<p>Rifles are long guns that need to be held two-handed with their stock pressed against the shoulder.</p>



<p>The name comes from the fact that they were the earliest firearms to use rifled barrels. Rifling refers to the spiraling grooves with <a href="https://ar15parts.com/ar-uppers/22-arc-uppers/">AR15 Parts 22 arc upper</a> carved into a firearm&#8217;s barrel. The grooves grip the bullet as it travels, spinning it and helping it hold its trajectory over long distances.</p>



<p>Because of their size, rifles are only suitable for outdoor activities like hunting and target shooting.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Shotguns</strong></h2>



<p>Unlike the other firearms on this list, shotguns don&#8217;t have rifled barrels. Instead, they have smooth bores and use shells containing many small projectiles.</p>



<p>When fired, a shotgun expells its shot in a conical pattern. This makes it easier for a user to hit small or moving targets.</p>



<p>For that reason, their ideal hunting weapons. And the fact that they&#8217;re more forgiving in terms of accuracy makes them popular home defense tools.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Core Types of Guns and Their Purposes</strong></h2>



<p>Despite a rise in gun prices over the last few years — driven by increased demand and supply chain issues — demand for firearms is not expected to taper. And for the first-time buyer, understanding the differences between the types of guns is the first step to becoming a responsible owner.</p>



<p>But it&#8217;s only the beginning. Gun safety, accountable carry practices, and staying on the right side of the law are all concerns. For all the firearm info you need to be a responsible owner, be sure to follow our latest law and lifestyle guides and news.</p>

A Simple Guide on the Main Types of Guns
