Firearms are broadly used for two primary reasons: hunting and self defense. Also, there are three basic types of firearms: handguns, rifles and shotguns.

​

Let's dig a little deeper into firearm types and their features - each one having its own pros and cons which inadvertently become personal likes and dislikes among firearm users.

​

HANDGUNS:

While there are four types of handguns (based on its actions), we will hone in on two basic types: revolvers and pistols. A revolver has a rotating cylinder that stores the ammunition. Users acclaim that they have greater control when using revolvers; though the ammunition count is quite limited and significantly less than pistols.

 

A pistol houses a detachable magazine that stores its ammunition. It is the number of rounds that a magazine can hold which gives the pistol an advantage over the revolver; however, the recoil or "push-back" is stronger and oftentimes require more training to use.

​

RIFLES:

There are five common types of rifles based on their actions: bolt action, lever action, pump action, semi-automatic action and break (hinge) action. The main difference between these rifles is the way the parts load, unload, fire and eject its ammunition. Also, actions can either be single-shot or repeating styles. Each rifle is chosen by its user as a personal preference and designated for personal use; whether it be for hunting or protection.

​

SHOTGUNS:

Many of the same actions found in rifles are also in shotguns - including pump action, semi-automatic action and bolt action. Some unique features found among the physical attributes of shotguns are as follows: barrels, shotshells, and chokes.

 

Barrels found among shotguns can either be single- or double. The double barrels can be arranged horizontally (side-by-side) or vertically (over-under). Shotshells or shotgun shells can generally be categorized as birdshots (usually used when hunting small game), buckshots (usually used when specifically hunting deer), and slugs (usually used for protection and safari-type hunts).

​

Chokes are the degree of narrowing at the muzzle end of the shotgun barrel. Chokes directly affect the spread and reach of the shotshell pellets emitted from shotgun fire.

​

AMMUNITION:

With so many kinds of firearms and types of ammunition, it's not always easy to match the proper ammunition to your firearm correctly - but getting it right is critical. Match firearms and ammunition, correctly; otherwise it can cause an explosion, thus injuring and even killing yourself or bystanders.

​

​