6 Pieces of Big Game Hunting Gear You Should Own

So, you’re ready to go big game hunting, but you don’t have hunting gear. You’re not entirely sure you know what you need, but the thought of filling your freezer sounds more and more appealing by the minute.

It takes years to outfit yourself with quality hunting equipment. Focus on your long-term needs. You can build a collection of necessities on a budget if you take the time to talk with other hunters. Read reviews and buy quality gear now so that it will still work years down the road. Determining what works best for you will maximize your spending, so you’re not wasting your time with hunting supplies that won’t last or don’t work.

Let’s focus on a small but essential set of tools that you can use no matter what you hunt, to save money and lighten your load. Of course, you need a rifle or a bow, but we’re going to address the additional gear you might need for big game hunting. These are the things that, at an absolute minimum, you should never leave home without.

Finding the Right Hunting Boots

When it comes to footwear, there are a lot of options. The environment and how active you are while hunting will influence your decision on what footwear to buy. If you’re used to the cold, or you’re an active hunter, you shouldn’t need insulated boots, especially if you have quality socks to keep your feet warm and provide support.

If you’re hunting in the mountains, you need a stiff boot to prevent your ankles from rolling on the rough terrain. Only wear your boots when you’re hunting. If you drive or ride in the car with them on, your feet may sweat, giving you what could be some very cold feet for the rest of your hunt.

Remember, non-insulated boots are lighter than insulated ones, and if you plan to carry a hefty load of equipment, bag your limit, or be on your feet for a long time, non-insulated is the way to go.

Boots can make or break your hunting experience. The more supportive your boots are, the less energy you have to exert to stay comfortable. Get the best boot for the activity level and climate of your big game hunt.

Hunting Backpacks

How you carry your gear is an essential component of the hunt. Not only do you have hunting equipment, but you may have camping gear, and you probably hope to come home with a kill. You need to be able to carry water, food, game bags, extra clothing, knives, and maybe some survival gear.

Invest in a good pack that carries the weight on your hips. The padding on the waist and the shoulder harness should be comfortable and supportive. A hunting backpack with an internal frame works well during the day, but you may need something bigger or more versatile later. Find something that can expand to suit your needs on varying hunts.

You may choose to go with a pack that doesn’t have an internal frame because it’s lighter than a pack with a frame. Keep in mind though, a more rigid structure allows for more accessible, more segmented packing. It also helps with more even weight distribution, making it easier to carry because the weight doesn’t shift as much when you walk, climb, or lean.

Proper Clothing for Hunting

In any situation, dressing in layers allows for variation in temperature and is critical for your comfort. If you’re a seasoned hunter, you know to prepare for anything. If you don’t already know that, then take this advice to heart. Pack layers.

When it comes to hunting clothes, wool provides a functional base layer to keep you warm, but it may be wise to invest in some high-performance fabrics that wick the sweat away during more active hunts. They keep you dry and comfortable in any situation.

Trekking Poles

Trekking poles only come in handy for mountain hunting, but are still something to consider. You may decide you don’t need them, but they do save energy and improve balance if you have a heavy load while climbing. They can also assist with slowing down or stopping on a steep downhill slope.

Game Bags to Safely Bring Home Meat

For most hunters, the end goal is to bring home some meat. But you need a way to get home with the meat you kill, and when you’re hunting big game, that’s tough. As a part of your hunting gear, you need high-quality game bags in order to make manageable pieces out of a large animal, and then carry it with you until you’re done, without it spoiling.

Synthetic game bags dry quickly so moisture doesn’t get trapped inside like it would if you used cotton. Wet meat for a prolonged period could lead to a build up in bacteria, making it unsafe to eat, and leads to faster spoilage.

GPS

GPS has come a long way and can provide additional benefits over a map and a compass. If you use a device specifically for hunting, you have access to private land boundaries, which is something you can’t measure with a compass. Some also give you the ability to log and favorite your locations so you can return easily later.

GPS isn’t for everyone. If you’re familiar with the land on which you hunt, you may always get the most out of simple tools. A GPS navigator is pricey, and you have to rely on its battery to last. However, it can really up your hunting… game. Pun intended.

There are a limitless number of hunting accessories and hunting supplies available. We’ve done our best to list the essentials, but depending on your unique experiences, you may find you need more or less of any number of things.

Grab a Gun provides the best selection of hunting accessories and hunting supplies online. When it comes to gun and hunting expertise, Grab a Gun can help you find the perfect piece of hunting equipment for your next excursion.

Why the Ruger LCR Is the Best Concealed Carry Revolver

Ruger Makes Small, Yet Mighty Revolvers

Ruger produces the impressive line of Ruger LCR revolvers. These compact handguns, which first debuted in 2009, are surprisingly powerful. They feature composite polymer aluminum frames and come in over a dozen varieties. Ruger started out offering a basic .38 Special, weighing 13.5 ounces. Additionally, they now offer a 17-ounce version that takes .357 magnum ammunition, and a heavier revolver that mimics the .22 long rifle experience.

A lot of people tend to favor semi-automatic pistols for their concealed carry purposes. While these are slim, there’s a lot that can go wrong, including pistol misfires. Revolvers rarely misfire, but that isn’t the only reason many prefer revolvers over pistols. Here is our short list of the five reasons why the Ruger LCR is one of the best concealed carry revolvers available today.

Ruger Makes Great Firearms

Ruger remains one of the biggest, most well-known firearms manufacturers in the world. Starting in a small machine shop in Connecticut in 1949, the company has since sold well over 20 million firearms. Ruger reported a 39% increase in firearms sales in 2020 alone. More than 70 years later, the manufacturer remains a favorite among law enforcement and civilians for its reliability, affordability, and craftsmanship.

Ruger touts awards like the Shooting Industry Academy of Excellence award and back-to-back Manufacturer of the Year honors in 1992 and 1993. Handguns of the Year include the Ruger Super Redhawk and the Ruger LCR. Both the Ruger 22 Magnum 10-22 rifle and the Ruger 17 HMR rifle were named Rifle of the Year.

Revolvers Are Reliable

Maybe you grew up with guns. Or maybe you grew up watching old western movies with gun-slinging cowboys. Either way, you probably have a healthy appreciation for the revolver. If you understand how revolvers work, then you probably know they rarely misfire, which makes them fantastic for self-defense.

Revolvers have fewer moving parts than other firearms, meaning fewer things that can fail. There’s no magazine to feed, no elaborate trigger mechanism, and no slide to jam. Comprised of a basic trigger, hammer, and cylinder, the revolver is quick and simple to operate.

Revolvers Are Durable

Revolvers are battle tested. Again, fewer moving parts means fewer things to go wrong. These guns have very simple mechanisms and last longer than a lifetime. Revolvers are the perfect gun to hand down from generation to generation.

The fact that you can shoot this gun reliably, time after time — and look good doing it — should be enough to convince you that it’s worth more consideration than most of the semi-automatic pistols on the market today.

The LCR Is Easy to Shoot

Even if you’re a fan of revolvers from other manufacturers, after shooting the Ruger LCR, you’ll find that the execution is effortless. Right out of the box, the LCR has a smooth trigger that’s easy to control. This feature makes a huge difference in accuracy, especially at long distances.

Given the fact that these revolvers aren’t meant for long distances, this accuracy is impressive. However, even more critical is how easy it is to become proficient quickly at shorter distances. This ease of use and short learning curve comes into play in self-defense scenarios and other short distance situations.

The LCR Is Concealable

The size of the LCR Ruger alone makes it a great concealed carry option. It’s close to the tightest concealed carry package you can find anywhere. You give up some accuracy with a shortened barrel, and the hammerless look doesn’t have quite the same classic flair you see in the movies, but you’re probably not likely to find yourself in a shoot ‘em up situation as often as John Wayne or Clint Eastwood.

The lack of a magazine also helps keep the size of these revolvers small, so they’re not as bulky. And without that magazine in the way, there are no size limitations, allowing for a more natural handle grip.

For everyday carry, the compact nature of these revolvers gives you comfort, versatility, accuracy at the range you need it, and the perfect firearm for self-defense.

Whether you’re shopping around for your next concealed carry firearm of choice, or it’s your first experience with a revolver, the Ruger LCR is the perfect option. Because of its weight, durability, reliability, accuracy, and tried-and true background, you can trust that you won’t be disappointed.

Check out Grab a Gun to find a huge selection of handguns for sale online and gun financing options to fit every budget. If you’re looking for a revolver for sale, you can’t go wrong with this online gun store.

The Beretta A300 is the Best Reviewed Shotgun for Hunting

While we are covering the Beretta a300 here, we also think it’s important to start by acknowledging that Beretta is a very well-known brand with origins dating back to 1526. It has been a family-owned company for nearly 500 years. That’s a lot of time spent perfecting the craft of gun making. Among its most notable claims to fame is Beretta’s history of supplying guns to military and police throughout just about every major European war.

In 1977, Beretta brought its craft to the United States, and the company continues to manufacture all types of firearms here, including the Beretta 92FS semi-automatic pistol, which was used by the United States Army.

But Beretta makes plenty of firearms for civilians, including high-quality hunting rifles and shotguns. And the 2012 release of the Beretta A300 certainly caught the attention of hunting enthusiasts and target shooters far and wide. Let’s take a closer look at why this shotgun is so impressive.

About the Beretta A300

The A300 Beretta is simple, understated, and extremely reliable. Its sleek appearance is something firearms owners have to expect from Beretta, and it has a price tag is competitive with other hunting and target shooting rifles on the market today.

One of the best things about the Beretta A300 is that it’s a semi-automatic shotgun, priced where you can afford it, and it’s made in the United States. It rarely misfires, and in fact, after using seven hundred rounds in three months, it never malfunctioned once.

Features

It’s a fairly lightweight firearm, coming in at just seven pounds, so it’s easy to carry for long periods of time. It may fit great out of the box, but in case you need to make some adjustments, it comes with three different choke tubes and a spacer kit to adjust the drop and the length of pull. It’s easy to handle, quick to aim, and swings smoothly. You can also put a sling on it if you need to.

While it only comes in a 12 gauge, 28” barrel, that shouldn’t prove to be a limitation. The shooting experience is pleasant because the recoil is tolerable. It’s also very easy to clean and maintain with a cleaning kit, and reassembly is a breeze.

You can break it down into three parts for cleaning on the fly. You can also give it a deeper cleaning by removing the trigger group. The owner’s manual comes in handy, so keep it close if you plan to clean it away from home.

System

The Beretta A300 uses the same system at the Beretta 391, which is another great gun, so there’s no need to reinvent the wheel. It works great as it is already. It also uses the same MobliChoke system as many other Berettas do.

With lightning-fast action, you’ll feel like you have the fastest shotgun in the world, and that makes the low recoil even more surprising. Both of these things combined make taking your second shot on target easy.

Loading and Firing

Loading the Beretta A300 is easy, but the real difference is the placement of the safety. It’s in front of the trigger, but the button is a bit bigger, so it’s hard to misuse. Plus, it’s easy to find and switch when you’re wearing gloves.

The trigger pulls nicely, so no improvements needed there. This is the best shotgun of its kind. Easy to use, easy to clean, and fun to shoot.

Hunting

The Beretta A300’s lightweight nature makes it perfect for trap shooting. You can carry it for a long time before it starts to feel heavy, which comes in handy when walking. Equipping it with a sling makes it that much easier.

Because it’s smooth and easy to aim and fire, your chances of hitting a moving target are much improved with this shotgun than with many others on the market. The A300 Beretta also performs well when hunting dove, duck, goose, pheasant, and quail. It can handle any climate, which makes it versatile enough to take it out in any season.

Limitations

You may find yourself feeling a bit limited on options when it comes to a twelve gauge, 28” barrel being the only size. However, if you’re shopping different shotguns for sale, the price and functionality of the Beretta A300 make it a great option. You may also want to coat or finish the barrel, because it is rough, and can be hard to clean with a cloth. It also seems to rust easier if you don’t clean it enough, so a protective coating could help. As with any model, how often you clean your firearm makes a difference in its performance.

Overall, the Beretta A300 is one of the best shotguns on the market as far as ease of use, accuracy, affordability, and quality. It performs well in many different situations, fits perfectly out of the box, and rarely misfires, no matter whether you use basic or premium rounds.

If you’re looking to buy Beretta firearms, visit Grab a Gun, where you can check out the Beretta A300 and many other firearms. You’re sure to find the perfect gun for you, with the peace of mind that you’re purchasing from a reputable gun shop.

Optimize Your AR-10 With These Top-Rated Accessories

AR rifles are built on a solid platform. It’s reliable, it’s versatile, and it’s accurate. But best of all, it’s fun to accessorize. Your AR-10 was made for your enjoyment, so why not get the most out of it with some of the most popular attachments, additions, and customizations?

The AR-10 is the perfect foundation on which to build a great custom rifle that fits your needs. Check out the following must-have accessories, and get excited about tricking out your AR-10.

Suppressors

Suppressors are silencers. They can do wonders for preserving your hearing. Let’s face it, firearms aren’t quiet, but an AR-15 can really rip through your head space and show no mercy. A suppressor may help, especially if you’re not a fan of wearing ear protection. We don’t recommend skipping the ear protection, by the way.

However, suppressors have other uses, too. Your neighbors will thank you. If you live in a state that allows the use of a suppressor, it’s definitely worth looking into.

Grips

You can’t beat a good grip. Your grip is what establishes your relationship with that rifle. It’s your primary point of contact, providing comfort, stability, and accuracy. Under no circumstances do you ever want that grip to be compromised.

Customizing your grip can make your shooting experience one-of-a-kind. Anything to maximize your comfort is worth serious consideration. There’s no shortage of grips for sale at online gun shops and other retailers, so this particular accessory comes highly recommended.

Triggers

Some rifles come with great triggers, and others don’t. A bad trigger can affect your accuracy, especially if the spacing or the pull isn’t comfortable for you. Almost everyone benefits from a trigger upgrade, even if you don’t have a bad one to start. It’s a customization experience that isn’t necessary but is also never boring.

Charging Handles

Because your AR-10 won’t fire until it’s charged, a charging handle is a unique way to upgrade a critical component. You can choose one to match your preferences based on style, range, or use. Make your rifle work for you whether you just use it recreationally, to hunt, or in quick-fire scenarios like competitions.

Optics

The best thing about an AR rifle is that it’s accurate. You can really step up your accuracy with premium optics. By adding optics to your AR-10, you enhance your experience by taking advantage of all of the great features that make it so accurate in the first place.

Ambidextrous Safety Selector

Your AR-10 was made for right-handed shooters. If you’re right-handed, you probably don’t see the need for this feature. But if you’re not, this accessory is invaluable. The point of a safety to keep everyone, well, safe.

It doesn’t do much good when you’re reaching around for the safety with the wrong hand. It’s dangerous, and it’s cumbersome. Adding an ambidextrous safety selector is not only easy. It’s smart.

Stock

There’s an abundance of custom stocks on the market, and it’s one of the most fun accessories for which to shop. It’s the accessory that adds the most personality to your firearm and suits your tastes.

Installation is so easy, you can afford to get more than one! And the options are endless.

Barrels

A lot of AR-10s come with pretty basic barrels. It almost needs upgrading right out of the box. Especially if you purchased your AR on a budget, it probably came with a cheap barrel, and it’s definitely time for an upgrade.

Don’t risk shooting out your barrel over time. Upgrade it to extend the life of your rifle and improve your accuracy. Replacing the barrel is also good for reducing weight, increasing performance, and improving your resale value.

Lights

A tactical light comes in handy if you use your AR-10 for self-defense. An AR is a great firearm, but adding a light improves accuracy in the dark, especially in situations where you don’t want to be noticed.

The AR-10’s rail system makes it easy to mount these types of accessories, and the options are almost overwhelming. Good quality tactical lights are made to withstand recoil and are a great investment.

Receivers

Upgrading uppers and lowers is a right of passage for every AR owner. You just need to do it. Component replacement on an AR lends itself well to switching these types of accessories out, so as long as you pair your uppers and lowers from the same company, you won’t have any problems with fit.

You really get the most out of your rifle when you embrace this accessory for all it’s worth. It releases more potential from your AR-10 and makes the experience more enlightening.

Check out Grab a Gun for more accessorizing options including assault rifles for sale. It’s the most comprehensive online gun shop around, offering variety and affordability.

5 Things You Should Know About Shotgun Hunting

A hunting shotgun is a versatile part of a hunter’s collection. Not only is a shotgun a great addition to your home-defense strategy, it’s also an excellent gun for beginners, it comes at a variety of price points, and a 12-gauge shotgun is ideal for sport hunting a wide range of game, both big and small.

What You Can Hunt

With the versatility of ammunition, you can hunt any bird, including dove, quail, grouse, pheasant, geese, duck, and turkey. Birdshot in either a 12- or 20-gauge model gives you a deadly shot, and because they shoot a spread of pellets, shotguns are perfect for birds in flight.

You can also hunt small game like rabbits and squirrels, or load your shotgun with buckshot to pursue big game like deer or feral hogs at close range. If you use slugs, your shotgun is capable of hunting the same big game, or perhaps bigger, at longer ranges.

Range and Specs

The range of a hunting shotgun varies depending on the ammunition. Pellets are an adequate shot at about 40 yards, and slugs at about 75 yards. The reality is that shotguns will always be less accurate than rifles, however, because they can fire multiple projectiles, shotguns are ideal for small, fast-moving targets.

The two most common gauges are 12 and 20. The gauge refers to the diameter of the barrel, and the higher the number, the smaller the barrel. A 20-gauge shotgun is slightly smaller than a 12-gauge, is lighter weight, and has less recoil.

Ammunition also comes in gauges rather than caliber, which classified ammo for rifles or handguns. There are several different kinds of ammo you can use to load a shotgun. A shell is a self-contained cartridge loaded with multiple metallic pellets. Buckshot is the same is birdshot, but the spherical projectiles are bigger, so it does more damage and can be used to hunt bigger game. Slug is the term used for a shotgun bullet. It’s one solid lead projectile and is the most powerful ammunition you can buy for a shotgun.

How It Compares to Bow Hunting

Experienced hunters use both a gun and a bow regularly. However, for beginners, or anyone wanting to gain proficiency, it’s best to choose one firearm and practice consistently. Focusing on a smaller set of skills enables mastery of those skills more quickly.

The outdoor hunting experience is entirely different from shotgun to bow. Hunting small game with a bow is very challenging, and you’ll be largely unsuccessful unless you have exceptionally good aim with moving targets.

Big game is also hard to shoot with archery unless you’re within thirty yards of your target.  Stalking within archery range of elk or deer requires a lot of practice, skill, and sometimes luck. In most cases, a shotgun promotes more frequent success if your goal is to bring home dinner.

Seasons, Tags, and Regulations

Outdoor hunting regulations are complex, and they vary from state to state. Check local rules for where you can hunt, how to obtain tags, and how long the season is. When factoring in some of these things, bowhunters tend to have more of an advantage.

Some land is designated archery only, and many local landowners will only allow bowhunting on their property. If you know someone with land, hunting on private property can be cheaper, so gun hunting tends to be more pricey if you want the exclusivity that private property provides.

Over-the-counter tags are available on a first-come, first-served basis but are the best bet for beginners because you don’t need points to be competitive. More experienced hunters have a better chance at a lottery for obtaining the tags they need.

Archery season is usually longer than gun season. You may also want to consider whether the seasons overlap because many archers don’t enjoy sharing the woods with gun hunters due to a significant disadvantage. It can also be dangerous to have bowhunters and gun hunters in the same area at one time, although incidents are rare, especially if you practice appropriate safety techniques.

Archery season usually precedes gun season, meaning that if you hunt with a rifle, you’re already at a disadvantage before you even begin. Guns often scare off animals, so once gun season starts, it can be hard to bag your limit. However, the earlier in the season it is, the warmer it is, so gun hunters do have a weather advantage later in the year.

Best for Beginners

A shotgun is one of the most versatile guns and performs nearly all functions that a rifle does, with few exceptions. Its ability to shoot a wide range of ammunition makes it useful for almost anything. Small game, large game, and home defense are a few potential uses already addressed. Shotguns are effective at both short and long range.

Shotguns are also relatively inexpensive, so they’re not a huge investment for those wanting to learn. Because of their intended uses, they also circumvent some legislation where handguns and rifles are concerned, making them easier to acquire.

It’s easy to transform a shotgun to a home defense role or make it a bird-blasting gun for the field. With an endless line of aftermarket accessories, you can tweak a shotgun to make it comfortable for anyone.

If you’re looking to take up outdoor hunting, shotguns are well-suited to the sport. When shopping shotguns for sale, you will find a versatile selection, with plenty of options for comfort, size, and ammunition . Check out the complete selection of shotguns, accessories and ammunition available from Grab A Gun.

Best Survival Guns for When Things Go Wrong

Apocalyptic media is everywhere: movies, books, TV shows, etc. Societies crumbling and civilization as we know it ending is a hot topic for a reason. Millions of people around the world view these doomsday scenarios as viable possibilities. If they were to happen, do you know how to properly prepare for nuclear fallout, war, a deadly epidemic, or even another massive meteor colliding with Earth? These situations are not as far-fetched as some media sources may lead you to believe. Not all of us can be the next Rick Grimes if any of these situations take place, so it is better to be well prepared. A real question you need to know the answer to is what are the best survival guns you should have readily available when things go horribly wrong.

What to Consider When Selecting a Firearm

Before we start analyzing why a certain firearm would be superior to another, it is better to understand some of the situations presented in a post-apocalyptic world. Though we cannot plan for every instance we might find ourselves in, there are some basic uses that will be common for many scenarios.

Self-Defense

  • Against small predators
  • Against large predators
  • Against fellow man

Hunting

  • Against large game
  • Against small game

Ranged Advantage

  • Easily Concealable/Emergency

If you look at the variety of uses you may need a firearm for, you quickly realize that there is not an ultimate firearm capable of performing perfectly in all of these circumstances. A Glock 19 would be utilized in different cases than an AR-15 would, and vice versa. Once you realize that an ultimate firearm does not exist, what you want to do is find firearms that can be used for multiple functions.

Another aspect to consider when determining which firearms you want to carry is the availability of ammunition. Some of the most common and widely used calibers of ammunition include:

Widely believed to be the all-around go-to survival ammunition, the .22 caliber is produced by almost every ammunition manufacturer and is available for most models of both handguns and rifles, including the Henry AR-7 Survival Rifle.

This is the primary round issued to American military personnel. Nearly every military installation and firearms factory, not to mention millions of residences, are home to the 5.56 NATO.

The shotgun is arguably the best defense firearm, and its shells come in a variety of shells for hunting. A popular firearm of law enforcement and hunters, there should be no problem finding a stockpile of 12-gauge shells.

Considered by many to be the most widely used pistol around the world, there should be ample supplies of the 9mm no matter what country you find yourself in. Though predominantly found in pistols, some 9mm rounds are made for rifles.

With a reputation for its dependable accuracy and significant power for a civilian firearm, the .308 is basically the open-market manufactured version of the 7.62x51mm NATO round. Common for hunting and found in most AR-10 and some AR-15 versions, this is a round with many functions.

There are plenty of other makes that might suit your needs, but for overall availability and use, these are some of the best options around.

Do your research and find the firearms you feel comfortable with when things go wrong at Grab A Gun. The worst might not happen, but luck always favors the prepared.

Accessories You Need for Trap, Skeet and Clay Shooting

Target shooting games require trap, skeet, clay acccessories and a shotgun, and are one of the many joys of firearms enthusiasts. And it is one of the most anticipated activities for new gun owners. Whether you’re heading out for trap shooting, skeet shooting, or clay shooting, there are some important aspects to remember before you head out for your adventure.

No matter your level of shooting savvy, there’s more to consider than whether to use your semi-auto shotgun or top opt for your pump-action shotgun. And if you are new to the sport altogether, it’s important to understand each target shooting type and how they differ. Here’s a brief overview.

The Big 3 Target Shooting Games

Trap shooting

Trap shooting is a game of movement based around quick reaction time. Shooters try to repeatedly aim, fire, and destroy clay discs. These discs represent flight paths of birds and travel at speeds over 40 mph. This is one clay at a time.

Skeet shooting

Skeet shooting is also based on quick reaction time, skeet shooting has two different points at which clay targets are hurled into the air. Varying speeds and angles make skeet shooting an ever-changing sport. These also tend to be crossing angles.

Clay shooting

Clay shooting attempts to recreate an actual hunting scenario. With different angles, clays, and speeds all changing, clay shooting attempts to prepare the hunter for real-life situations. It is arguably the most challenging of the three sports.

Now that you know a little about each sport, let’s take a look at how you will want to approach getting into the sport. First, you don’t have to pretend like you know everything; in fact, when you let people know you are a beginner they will more than likely give you additional advice and help. Next, you want to prepare yourself as much you can prior to your first time. That means doing your research (like reading this article). Finally, you will want to bring some items with you to make your experience the best it can possibly be. We’ve put together some trap, skeet and clay accessories you’ll want to pack with your firearm to make sure you’re fully outfitted take a look.

Eye Protection

Keeping your eyes on the target is only half the battle. Keeping your eyes safe from dirt, debris, and discharge will keep you as accurate as your focus. There is always the risk of ricocheting materials, target shards, or even unburnt powder from the action hitting your eyes. The most convenient defense against this would be shooting glasses. These are closer to safety glasses than sunglasses. Reducing your light will most likely lower your chances of accurately hitting the target. There are also full face masks if you are extremely worried, but most shooters think a good pair of shooting glasses do the trick.

Ear Protection

Perhaps the most important part of your body to protect when firing a firing is your ears. Repeated noise pollution can have major consequences if not properly protected. Luckily, there are a number of effective noise dampeners that will prevent you from going deaf. There are a range of accessories to use. Depending on your budget, you can spend anywhere from a few dollars to around $100. Foam ear plugs are the basic protection against noise, while electronic noise dampers will amplify and dampen sound depending on the situation.

Vests

These are the first items of which the primary purpose isn’t protection, but a shooting vest can save you plenty of time and hassle when on the range. Most trap or skeet rounds consist of 25 shots; which, not by accident, is the number of shells in a box. A shooting vest allows you to pocket all of the shells and accessories you need during around of shooting. You can also keep your empties so you don’t dirty up the range. You can find a good vest for under $30, but can spend over $100 depending on your needs.

Choke Tube Wrench

For shooters who are going to spend some time on the range with different types of targets, a choke tube wrench is a must. For easily transitioning between chokes, a wrench with a handle will optimize your time.

Shell Catcher

When you are shooting trap, you will want to stop the empty cartridges from projectile firing at your buddies. Shell catchers hinder spent ammo cartridges from doing just that. They are an accessory that will run you about $20. A handy little device for people who plan on doing a lot of shooting.

Target-Shooting Ammo

This might seem obvious, but some people think they will just get rounds at the range. There are lots different the brands and type of ammunition, and sometimes they don’t offer what you are looking for. Other times there is a huge markup in price. Any way you look at it, it’s a smart idea to come to the range prepared, and that means bringing enough ammo for the amount of shooting you want to do.

Comfortable Clothing

Finally, you want to wear comfortable clothing. This is still range appropriate attire, but don’t try to wear something you won’t be comfortable shooting in. Again, this seems like an obvious thing to do, but some people forget to do it.

With these basics in mind, you should be well prepared for a fun and exciting day of target clay shooting. Find all the trap, skeet, and clay accessories you need at GrabAGun today! Enjoy!

3 Affordable Shotguns for Beginners: Mossberg, CZ, and Remington

So, you finally made the decision to purchase one of the affordable shotguns for beginners. Congratulations. It’s your first step into the firearms community. Before we welcome you fully, you need to decide which shotgun to buy. Are you looking at tactical shotguns? Would a lever action shotgun be more your style? Are you already overwhelmed by two options?

Don’t be.

Here at GrabAGun, we specialize in helping people buy shotguns. We’ve done the research on all of the shotguns we have listed for sale. And while we offer countless great options, we’ve narrowed down  three that are affordable, reliable, and ideal for new shotgun owners.

Affordable Shotguns for Beginners

Mossberg 500 Shotgun

First on our list, is the Mossberg 500. This shotgun can be found with as much frequency in a hunter’s gun case as an officer’s patrol vehicle. With over 50 years in production, Mossberg shotguns have fine-tuned their firearms for ultimate performance.

The 500 series has several different models to pick from, each with a different style to appeal to different hunters. But Mossberg is also aware that they can’t make a shotgun that fits everyone’s needs, so this firearm can be customized — there are several aftermarket parts that you can find to make your first shotgun truly unique. And as a final note, since you might not be aware of the maintenance required for proper upkeep of your firearm, Mossberg shotguns are built to withstand the rigors of the hunt, and neglectful owners (though you should always properly clean and maintain your firearm).

CZ 612 Magnum Waterfowl Shotgun

The next shotgun on the list is perfect for beginners, because it too is relatively new to the firearm scene. The CZ 612 Magnum Waterfowl is the new kid in town, but is making a reputation for itself quickly. All that praise comes from the capabilities of the shotgun; it’s a hell of firearm for beginners and experts.

The first aspect you’ll notice as a beginner is its recoil pad that will absorb a lot of the kick from those 12-gauge shells and slug you’ll be firing. For shooters not used to it, having a firearm that helps protect your shoulder can make a big difference. Once you begin to advance your knowledge some, you’ll notice that the 612 has a big forearm for easy action manipulation and easy-to-access release lever. It also comes standard with five choke tubes that can be interchanged with ease. All-in-all, you are getting a 3 ½-inch chambered 12-gauge that is camo-dipped for around $420. Among all of the shotguns for sale, you’ll be hard pressed to find one better than the 612.

Remington 870 Shotgun

You can’t have a list of shotguns without a Remington (if you did, it wouldn’t be a trustworthy one). One of the best for first-timers is the Remington 870. Similar to the Mossberg 500 and CZ 612, it features a list of aspects that make it ideal for people wanting to purchase their first shotgun. As one of the older gun manufacturers, Remington has been honing their craft for some time, so their steel receiver and twin action bars are made to withstand decades of use. They are also made in several different models, most of which can be found for under $500, most notably the Remington 870 Express and Super Magnum Express. These Remington shotguns are also easily upgraded with a variety of aftermarket accessories.

Those are three of the best affordable shotguns for beginners. Before you run out and buy the shotgun though, it’s a good idea to keep researching and even test fire a few. You’ll be able to determine which of these feels right in your hands, and understand the subtle difference between them. Once you’ve picked the one you like most, you’ll want to compare prices with local gun shops and an online gun store like GrabAGun. Odds are, you’ll find better prices when you buy guns online—and with options similar to local places. Here at GrabAGun, we offer a gun financing program so you can afford your shotgun. So do your research, pick your shotgun, and we’ll be ready to help you during every step of buying your first shotgun.

America’s Innovative Firearm Designer – John M. Browning

The father of modern automatic and semi-automatic firearms, and namesake of Browning firearms, was born in Ogden, Utah. The son of a Mormon pioneer, John Moses Browning started his illustrious career at the ripe age of thirteen when he crafted his first firearm in his father’s gun shop. He earned his first of over 120 firearm patents when he was 24. From a very early age, Browning’s life centered on firearms.

Revered by many as “The World’s Greatest Gun Inventor,” John M. Browning has left a mark on nearly every facet of weaponry. From lever action rifles to pump-action shotguns, Browning either created or improved upon existing gun designs. Some of these would go on to become the tactical shotguns or semi-automatic rifles we love today. These inventions revolutionized the early 20th century.

Browning’s Firearm Innovations

One of Browning’s most noted accomplishments was developing the first auto-loading pistols. These firearms were made possible by his invention, the telescoping bolt. This helped him create the pistol slide. This telescoping bolt is seen on almost all of the semi-automatic pistols today.

Additionally, Browning crafted a variety of firearms for the military. The M1895 Machine Gun defended battlefields during the Spanish-American War. WWI, WWII, and the Korean War all had soldiers carrying Browning firearms with them, such as the Colt M1911 and Browning 1917. The 50 caliber M2 is also one of his firearms that saw plenty of action on the battlefield. It is also one that is still seeing time out in the field. In addition to the 50 cal., his designs are still used today with firearms such as the Browning BPS 12 GA, Browning Maxus Rifle D Stalker, and Browning BPS Rifled Deer Hunter. Throughout his life, Browning produced and designed firearms for both military and civilians for a number of companies. Winchester, Colt, Remington, and Fabrique Nationale de Herstal all have been touched by Browning’s work.

The Browning Legacy of Firearms

A career that spans a lifetime would have plenty of achievements. Though writing about them all would take a novel (which has been published), we don’t have space for that here. Rather here is a quick overview of the more recognizable accomplishments by Browning. Some common pistols that are tied to him include:

●     Colt Model 1900

●     FN Model 1910

●     Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless

●     U.S. M1911 Pistol

●     Browning Hi-Power

The shotguns that helped make Browning famous include:

●     Savage Model 720

●     Winchester Model 1887

●     Browning Auto-5

●     Remington Model 17

His list of rifles accomplishments is as extensive as pistols and shotguns:

●     Winchester Model 1885

●     Remington Model 8

●     Browning 22 Semi-Auto

●     FN Trombone

It wasn’t just firearms either. His designs also helped shape many of the cartridges that were used. Some of the more recognizable ones would be:

●     9mm Browning Long

●     .45 ACP

●     .380 ACP

●     .38 ACP

The list of Browning’s work is extensive. An avid gun enthusiast who was devoted to his work, he also had a hunger to create. Quite literally until his dying breath, Browning’s life pursuit involved improving and creating reliable and dependable firearms, like today’s 1911-380 Black Label Medallion. While sitting at a workbench in his son’s production shop, John M. Browning died of heart failure. The firearm he was working on was a 9mm semi-automatic pistol that would be completed by a Belgian designer and go into production some ten years later as the Fabrique Nationale GP35, or more commonly, the Browning Hi-Power.

Today, Browning’s designs are still widely used. Though technology has brought modifications and enhancements to them, Browning’s presence can still be seen in modern firearms. To honor his accomplishments, there is museum dedicated to his many contributions in his birthplace of Ogden. Here, gun enthusiasts can look back in time; original models crafted by Browning. Pistols, shotguns, rifles, and even machine guns and cannons are all on display. The museum highlights four generations of the Browning family and their influence on firearms.

After reading all this, you might be ready to purchase a rifle or buy a shotgun for sale online. If you are in the market for a Browning firearm, then you will want to check out the selection at GrabAGun.com. With gun layaway and financing options buying a gun online is easy with flexible purchasing options for versatile firearms.