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Hunting at night can be one of the most intriguing — and most difficult — challenges for hunters. And when it comes down to it, there’s a lot more to it than simply finding the best gun for hunting. You also need to be able to visualize your target. That’s where night vision gear comes into play.

Night vision equipment used to be difficult to find, and was primarily used by the military. Civilians rarely possessed anything like a night vision scope, making it difficult to hunt nocturnal game. But today, night vision gear is readily available and easy to find. From Generation 1 to Generation 3, you can find the scopes and goggles you need for each specific use. They range in price and effectiveness, so let’s review your options and address the basics of commercial night vision devices.

Night Vision Devices

There are three categories by which we group night vision gear. There’s night vision gear that you wear, night vision gear that you carry, and night vision gear that you mount on your firearm.

You can wear or carry goggles, monoculars, or binoculars, but weight distribution is critical. You want to aim for long-term comfort and ease because overnight hunting is a strenuous task. It takes a toll on your body and your sight.

Keep your gear light and close to your face for increased balance and less noise. Long binoculars hanging around your neck, swinging while you walk, could be too noisy for hunting at night.

Helmet Mounts

While wearing a helmet isn’t the most comfortable solution, it often offers the most stability. Make sure your helmet mounts are snug, so the forward weight is easy to manage. Also, keep your chin or harness straps tight.

You may also find that the higher-priced night vision goggles have helmet mounts that flip up out of the way when you’re not using them, which is a convenient feature when your environment is rapidly changing.

You can also find helmet mounts with good padding that are more comfortable than the less expensive ones. You may spend a little bit more money for your comfort, but it’s well worth it, especially when hunting in the dark.

Firearm Mounts

Another way to see at night is firearm-mounted scopes. You can find stand-alone night vision optics, rear-mount optics, or front-mount optics.

You have to remove your day optic to use stand-alone optics, meaning your gun needs to be a dedicated night hunting platform unless you want to change out the scope regularly. Stand-alone optics are usually big, so it’s not easy to switch them a lot.

Rear-mount optics can be used in conjunction with day optics, so you don’t have to fiddle with toggling back and forth all the time, but be aware that you may need a special coupling bracket for any magnified optics. It can also be difficult to shoot this way because the loss of eye relief is significant and not comfortable.

Sometimes you can eliminate the glow of night vision scopes on the face, but eyecups aren’t very comfortable, and in humid weather, they may cause fogging problems. Not to mention, all night vision devices glow very brightly at long range, no matter what you do to try to stop it.

Most people’s preference for firearm-mounted night vision scopes are mounted in front of the day scope. Zero isn’t affected as it is with the others, and you don’t have to adjust your normal head position on the gun.

The bad thing about front-mounted night vision scopes is that they are pricey, and the added weight on the front of the gun makes it difficult to hold.

An old option for firearm-mounted night vision is a piggyback mount. They have significant zero-retention problems though and are quickly being replaced by the front-mounted variations.

Handheld Night Vision Tools

Many of the same tools you mount on your helmet can simply be carried in your hand. It can be more comfortable than a helmet, but it adds weight to different areas of your body you’re not used to, and it’s just another thing to hold in your hand when you want to use it.

However, if you’re merely testing out hunting at night or you don’t do it a lot, this may be the best option. After all, sometimes hunting at night should be about the fun and not about the results.

Other Benefits

Hunting at night gives you a certain advantage because many people prefer not to hunt at night. Only if you’re a serious huntsman do you consider journeying out in the dark to catch elusive beasts.

Night vision also comes in handy if you’re hunting with others. It illuminates the night and allows you to find other members of your party. Especially if someone gets lost, it’s an invaluable tool to recover those wanderers.

Which is the Best?

Most people can afford night vision today. There are many affordable options, so don’t shy away from giving something in your budget a try. It’s an irreplaceable experience to have eyes in the night when all of the night-dwelling creatures are out.

If you’re a firearms enthusiast, then you’ve probably heard of Class 3 firearms. This class of weapons includes a variety of products, all of which need extra TLC because of their high power. However, owning military grade firearms is fun, for lack of a better word. It’s pretty cool to be able to experience what a lot of civilians don’t.

It’s important to remember that these high-powered firearms are regulated by the National Firearms Act (NFA), and only licensed dealers with a permit can sell them. They are highly collectible, and with a proper understanding, you too could be the proud owner of one of these pieces of equipment.

The National Firearms Act

Originally enacted in 1934, the NFA was established to place a tax on manufacturing, importing and dealing of certain types of firearms as defined by the act.

The Secretary of the Treasury required that all shotguns, rifles with barrels less than eighteen inches, machine guns, and firearm mufflers or silencers be registered. The ultimate goal was to deter any transactions involving NFA firearms.

If Congress found an unregistered NFA firearm, they assessed a $200 fine. This was the same as the tax imposed on imports, manufacturing, and dealing. It was significant enough in 1934 that Congress hoped it would prohibit these activities, and the tax is still in effect today.

Progression of the Law

In 1968, the NFA was amended with Title II, deeming part of the NFA unconstitutional. People who already possessed NFA firearms were no longer required to pay the fine. It violated their protection against self-incrimination under the Fifth Amendment.

Title II also prevents the use of information on any NFA application as evidence in a criminal case. It expands the definition of ‘machine gun’ and adds the term ‘destructive devices.’

Items Defined by the NFA

Firearms, or destructive devices, must meet one or more criteria as listed here to be included.

Machine Guns

The NFA defines a machine gun as “any firearm which shoots, is designed to shoot, or can be readily restored to shoot, automatically more than one shot without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger.” Included are parts or combinations of parts intended to manufacture a machine gun, as well as machine gun receivers.

Rifles such as the AR-15 and M16 are considered machine guns.

Short-barreled Shotguns

Short-barreled shotguns include any shotgun with a barrel shorter than eighteen inches. Firearms made from shotguns with barrels shorter than 26 inches fall into this category as well. This includes sawed-off shotguns if the barrel length is less than 18 inches.

Short-barreled Rifles

Rifles are firearms fired from the shoulder. They fire one bullet at a time through a rifled barrel. Short-barreled rifles have barrels shorter than 16 inches, but also include firearms made from rifles, resulting in a firearm length of fewer than 26 inches.

If the rifle has a telescoping stock, this measurement includes the stock fully extended. If the stock is detachable, then the Firearm is measured without the stock. This measurement extends from the end of the muzzle to the front of the breech face.

Short-barreled rifles include M4 Carbines and semi-automatic pistols with shoulder stocks.

Destructive Devices – Explosive Ordinance

Any explosive device, poison gas, or incendiary including grenades, missiles, rockets, bombs, or mines are defined by this ordinance. The definition also includes parts used to make these devices. Claymore mines and improvised explosive devices (IED) qualify as well.

Destructive Devices – Large Bore Firearms

Projectile firearms with bore diameters larger than half an inch are considered large bore firearms. Most shotguns not specified by the ATF are exempt. Antique firearms “not likely to be used as a firearm” also don’t qualify. A manufactured date of 1898 is required for this exemption.

Silencers

Any device intended to silence, muffle, or diminish the report of a firearm is a silencer. Combinations of parts for the assembly or manufacture of a firearm are included. All commercial silencers on the market today fall into this category.

Any Other Firearm

The NFA includes a clause for any other firearm capable of concealment on a person that can be shot and discharged through the energy of an explosive. It’s a catch-all category including pistols with forward grips and cane guns.

With a better understanding of the NFA and what firearms are included, you can protect yourself and others while still enjoying the use of these military-grade pieces of art.

If you’re looking for firearms for sale, Grab a Gun specializes in all types of guns and accessories, and you’ll find many NFA firearms for sale including fierce-looking Sig Sauers, and this Kriss Vector.

All firearms are subject to NFA purchase guidelines, but now that you know what those are, you don’t have to worry. Happy firing!

Pop culture references to blanks have increased their notoriety among most people, even those who aren’t a fan of guns. Movies, television, and live theatre use blanks to produce drama. In the area of sports, blank bullets are often used in starting pistols to signal the start of the race.

Blanks are different than bullets, but you should still exercise safety with any weapon, no matter what you choose to load in it.

What are Blank Bullets?

A blank is a cartridge without a bullet. Often the terms ‘cartridge’ and ‘bullet’ are confused. They are not the same thing.

Typically, a cartridge contains gunpowder and a bullet. When you pull the trigger, it ignites the gunpowder, propelling the bullet toward your intended target. A blank is a cartridge with gunpowder and no bullet.

The cartridge has crimping on the end to hold in the gunpowder. Sometimes plastic, paper, or cotton seals the cartridge to keep the gunpowder contained. When you pull the trigger, it ignites the gunpowder, producing the same noise as firing a bullet, but without any projectile.

Uses of Blanks

When you need the flash and sound of gunfire without the damage of a projectile, or when a real bullet would not be safe, you can use a blank.

In movies, theatre, and television, blanks produce the flare needed to convince the audience that the gun is real. They produce the same sound but are much safer when used under the appropriate conditions.

Often, a starting pistol signals the beginning of a track and field race. The primary purpose is to make a noise that runners cannot mistake for the start of the race. It reduces the amount of false starts and clarifies exactly when to begin.

For this same reason, they can indicate the start of a horse race or hound race. In this case though, the noise also frightens the animal, triggering their response to run. Fast.

Blank cartridges called power loads can also be used in things like nail guns, where what you want is power to drive the nail in place. The noise doesn’t matter so much in this case as does the propulsion of a different kind of projectile.

Some blanks contain slow-burning rifle powder layered with fast-burning pistol powder. The rifle powder and the pistol powder ignite at the same time. The pistol powder reacts quickly, propelling the rifle powder forward.

Because the rifle powder has a slower reaction time, it combusts in the air after traveling only a few yards. This is particularly effective in quick draw competitions because it travels just far enough to pop the target balloon.

Wax bullets are effective in situations in which training requires a non-lethal projectile. Some people consider this a blank and some don’t. It depends on your perspective.

Dangers of Blanks

Make no mistake. Blanks can kill. As stated above, one of the uses of blank cartridges is for nail guns, which are very dangerous tools if not used correctly. Just because something is loaded with a blank does not mean it doesn’t have the power to do any damage.

When used at very close range, the power elicited from the explosion can still cause severe trauma. On the set of CBS’s Cover-Up, actor Jon Erik-Hexum reportedly died after placing a gun loaded with blanks to his temple and pulling the trigger.

The force of the exploding gas is the same as a real bullet, so even though it isn’t launching a projectile, it still contains a massive amount of power. Blanks often contain even more gunpowder than regular cartridges because the intention is to produce a very loud, convincing sound.

You must always exercise caution when dealing with any type of ammunition, even if you don’t think it’s harmful. There are many other reported incidents of fatalities with blanks.

Blank bullets are useful for many different things. Sporting events, competitions, movies, and other productions use blanks for noise and other purposes. While blanks are effective, they can also be dangerous. Always be careful and make sure you take every necessary precaution to protect yourself and those around you.

If you’re interested in getting some blanks for yourself, check out our selection of blanks at GrabAGun!

If you’re a beginner at hunting and looking at rifles for sale to make your first purchase, the options can seem overwhelming. But don’t worry. We’re here to help make your search less daunting by introducing you to the Browning BLR.

There are certainly plenty of options vailable to beginners, and in this post, we’re going to focus on one of our favorites — the Browning BLR. Browning has a long reputation of quality, and the BLR is a good choice, thanks to its ease of use. The Browning BLR offers the fast shooting of a semi-automatic with the accuracy of a bolt action rifle. This rifle is compact, lightweight, and perfect for deer hunting.

While it’s an excellent gun for almost anyone, it’s particularly well suited to beginners because it has minimal recoil and noise, making it less intimidating.

Hunting

The Browning BLR’s standard cartridges are a win over those of traditional lever-action rifles. Standard Win 308 calibers give you a 400-yard trajectory with enough power to take down the biggest buck.

Its short barrel and light weight make it easy to carry back and forth between hunting spots or to tote up to the tree stand.

The magazine slides nicely into place with little fuss and isn’t really noisy when you move it. It’s detachable, and better than a tube because it keeps the weight closer to the operator. This makes weight distribution easier to manage. When it comes to the best guns for hunting, the Browning BLR is also a standout because it’s quick to load and unload.

While 400 yards is about the maximum distance you get with the Browning BLR, it is a relatively easy shot in a moderately sized package.

Accessories

The Browning BLR is the best lever action rifle on the market because it’s advanced enough to fire off powerful rounds. The bolt locks into place firmly enough to bear the brunt of your shot and enables pointed bullets to fly farther. It doesn’t require hollow point bullets like a lot of lever action rifles with tube magazines.

If you like scopes, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the ease in which you can mount one on the Browning BLR. A traditional lever action rifle with a top eject is difficult to fit for scopes, but the BLR does it with ease.

Quality

Browning is one of the world’s most well-known manufacturers so you can count on the quality of all of their firearms. They are some of the more expensive rifles on the market, but they come with a better fit and finish than many others.

The Browning BLR is not an exception to this rule. It’s sleek and beautiful. You can view the full line of BLR Browning rifles at GrabAGun.

Safety

The Browning BLR is a mite safer for a beginner than a semi-automatic rifle. For starters, you can’t have a live round in the chamber of a semi-auto with the bolt open, so you have to use the safety. While necessary in some scenarios, this makes it more difficult to tell whether or not a rifle is loaded.

A bolt action rifle allows you to have a round in the chamber with the bolt slightly open. A lever action rifle, like the Browning BLR, enables you to have a shot in the chamber with the lever slightly ajar.

The BLR also offers a half cock option. Taking it from half cock to full cock is quiet, and it’s safer than using the safety because the probability is minuscule that you will both full cock the hammer and pull the trigger by accident.

Firing is faster than with a bolt action, and beginners have more selection to choose from.

Drawbacks

One drawback to the Browning BLR is that there are a lot of small parts. You can’t tell when it’s assembled, but if you were to take the BLR apart to clean it, you’d have a heck of a time putting it all back together.

The only other drawback is that the maximum range is 400 yards. If you want to shoot at any longer range than that, a bolt action rifle is your best bet. Accuracy is on point, just not at longer ranges.

At the End of the Day

The Browning BLR features fast firing and easy handling, which is excellent for any beginner who is learning about rifles or learning to hunt. It’s lightweight and has relatively quiet operations, so it’s the perfect hunting companion.

There are many different variations of the Browning lever action rifles like this one with a walnut finish and other classic-looking finishes. You can accessorize as needed and find something that’s just right for you.

Online retailer Grab a Gun has a number of Brownings in stock and can meet all of your lever action rifle needs.

Home protection is at the top of everyone’s mind these days, and so should the Mossberg 500. When it comes to home security, there are a lot of different options. Security systems, smart home controls, and various other electronic devices are all fine choices. Still, those options, which can be pricey, simply alert you to an intruder. For those who understand firearms and firearm safety, having the means to protect your own home should a bad situation arise, provides great peace of mind.

When it comes to home security, a semi-automatic shotgun or pump-action shotgun is among the popular choices when shopping firearms for sale. And a quality, reliable home protection firearm doesn’t have to break the bank. The Mossberg 500 is one of our favorites that checks the list for quality and affordability. The Mossberg 500 meets you at the intersection of home security and cost savings. And, if you want your shotgun to serve dual purposes, it comes in various models suited to different types of hunting too.

History of the Mossberg 500

In its 100-plus years in business, Mossberg has solidified its place as a household name. The 500 model is especially well-known in the shotgun business. It’s safe to say that it is the benchmark by which we judge all other budget shotguns.

Over the years, the 500 Mossberg has been released in more than 100 variants. You can choose from a wide range of finishes, calibers, sizes, and features, resulting in endless combinations.

Models like the All-Purpose 500 FLEX give you the ability to switch stocks, barrels, and butt pads quickly, making it the most versatile of the Mossberg 500 line of rifles.

The Mossberg Maverick 88 comes with a significant pocketbook savings and is essentially a Mossberg 500 without the ambidextrous safety and upgraded trigger group. It offers the same reliability and versatility of the Mossberg 500 and doesn’t feel at all like a downgrade.

Versatility for Dual Purposes

The reason why the Mossberg 500 is the best affordable option for home protection is that it’s versatile. If you can only afford one gun, this one will do most of the things you need it to do by just switching out a few accessories.

By switching out only the barrel, you can have a long-barreled shotgun for hunting waterfowl, and a short-barreled shotgun for deer. Conversely, when you get home, you can switch out your birdshot for buckshot to stop an intruder.

A Perfect Shotgun for Home Defense

The Mossberg 500 is among the most requested firearms for home defense. It is made of alloy, so it’s lightweight and easily maneuverable. The placement of the slide release and safety is perfect because you can reach them both with your shooting hand, giving you the ability to make quick decisions without fumbling the firearm.

You can extend the capacity of the Mossberg 500 to nine, as well as change out accessories like barrels and forend grips. It has two extractors on the bolt, giving you the ability to eject shells when they get stuck. Again, it’s easy to reach with your shooting hand, just in case.

Keeping a round in the chamber always ensures you are better prepared for a worst-case scenario, saving you valuable seconds loading a shell in the pipe. The expanded 8+1 capacity of the 500 Mossberg allows you to do just that.

With the easy-to-reach safety, you can quickly and efficiently defend yourself and your home with one-handed operation. This gun makes it easy to follow common sense firearm safety practices and store it out of reach of children, with the safety on.

You can load the Mossberg 500 with either birdshot or buckshot, but it’s safe to say that buckshot has a better chance of stopping an aggressor. With birdshot, there’s a good chance you’ll have to fire more than once.

It goes without saying that you should always be situationally aware of your surroundings when handling a firearm, becasue buckshot will not only stop your aggressor, it will hurt anyone else in its path, too. Make sure when you fire the firearm, you aim true and make sure your family members are out of the way.

The Mossberg 500 is an affordable choice whether you can only purchase one firearm, or you want a cost-effective firearm for home defense that leaves you to splurge elsewhere. It’s a multipurpose firearm that’s effective for hunting, home defense, and fun at the shooting range.

When it comes to shotguns and other firearms for sale, Grab a Gun has a wide range of options to choose from. Check out our selection of Mossberg 500 shotguns, accessories, and other firearms. Also, check out a blast from the past, a prior Mossberg 500 blog post with even more info on this iconic shotgun!

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If you’ve done you’re research on the most concealable firearms, then Derringers has likely come up in your search. When looking at pistols for sale and considering what to purchase, size is often a top consideration. 

The Derringer is among the easiest weapons to carry simply based on its compact size. Not only does this pistol fit in the palm of your hand, the Derringer also has a fascinating history.

Derringers aren’t the most modern pistol, but they are arguably the most concealable. The historic use of Derringers tells us that. It was made for concealability and ease of use, and its most famous performance is what boosted its novelty and propelled it to success nationwide.

Deringer, or Derringer?

Named for Henry Deringer, its creator, the original Philadelphia Deringer only had one “r.” It was a black powder, muzzle loading, single-barrel pistol. It was sold in pairs, so if the first shot failed, you had another.

Henry Deringer lived in Philadelphia. His father was a gunsmith, so he grew up around the rifles his father created and held an apprenticeship in Richmond, Virginia to follow in his father’s footsteps. The Philadelphia Deringer was one of his first creations, after switching from manufacturing rifles to pocket pistols.

Pocket pistols were not new to the people of Deringer’s time. However, nothing so small and concealable had existed before. Now men and women alike could defend themselves efficiently and secretly.

The Philadelphia Deringer was affordable, making it accessible to anyone. It was popular among gamblers and ladies who used them as muff pistols in their hand warmers. Popularity soared, and money came pouring in for Henry.

As fate would have it, the Deringer became even more well-known with the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, and from there, other manufacturers started capitalizing on the name. To circumvent copyright law, the Derringer, with an extra r, was born.

Today’s Derringer

Remington, Colt, Heizer, Ruger, Browning and many more all Deringer-inspired pistols in their product lines today. These little firearms have made quite a transformation from Henry’s original.

People most likely associate Remington’s design with derringers because of the improvements Remington made. The double barrel, over-under design (doubling capacity), and the metal cartridges helped maintain its popularity. Smokeless powder enabled the use of smaller cartridges with higher power.

Remington ceased production of their derringer models in 1935, but they paved the way for the evolution of the derringer in other manufacturers lineups.

Other companies have continued to make these pistols in a variety of calibers. Cimarron produces a .38 special and Bond Arms makes a .357 magnum.

Some derringers have trigger guards, and some have longer barrels. They even have fun names like Dragon Slayer, Ranger, and Cowboy Defender.

What’s not to love?

Carrying a Derringer

While a derringer lacks the same firepower as a larger revolver, it’s ideal for deep concealment. You can holster a derringer almost anywhere on your body, but even without derringer holsters, they fit nicely in jeans, jacket pockets, and even a bra. Looking at you, ladies.

Yes, the derringer is for everyone. It’s accessible, lightweight, small, and versatile. It’s not intimidating, and it really is a point-blank weapon. In a self-defense scenario, you only have one chance to make an effective shot, and the derringer’s deep concealability and and short-range capability are designed for precisely that purpose.

You won’t get much distance with it, but a small gun is better than no gun, and this type of pistol is much less frightening and risky to carry. You may not intimidate your target, but the point is that they not see it at all. Should you find yourself in a situation where you need to protect yourself, this gun is most effective where you need it — at close range.

You can carry it when it’s uncomfortable to carry something bigger, and it hides entirely out of sight. Going for a run where you might run into critters? Derringer. You can even stick it in an athletic smartphone carrying case.

We’ve covered how well the derringer conceals, and by now you may be convinced that it’s not just a novelty item. While the history of the derringer makes it a popular pistol by notoriety alone, it’s easy of use and carry are what have kept it in the spotlight all these years.

Derringers are fun to shoot, and while they’re often referred to as ‘dainty,’ or ‘cute,’ don’t underestimate the need to practice with your pistol before carrying it. It offers a one-of-a-kind concealed carry option and is ideal for precisely that purpose. Find a huge selection of Derringers at GrabAGun today! 

Glock has become synonymous with the word ‘handgun.’ Thanks to an abundance of references in countless Hollywood movies and rap lyrics, the popular Austrian firearm has secured its place in pop culture. But that’s not the only place you’ll find the Glock hangun; two-thirds of America’s police departments now carry them.

So, how did an Austrian entrepreneur, with no experience making guns, become one of the most influential names in the United States? In three decades, Glock grew to be one of the most recognizable brands, making it an icon among gun enthusiasts and a target among gun control advocates.

Glock: A Brief History

In 1982, Gaston Glock was an engineer working outside Vienna. He ran a radiator factory and had no experience in the gun-making arena. This inexperience was to his advantage. Having no knowledge of the firearms manufacturing process, he created his own.

Unlike all other models at the time, he built his unique design on a plastic frame and with only 34 components — about half as many as other gun manufacturers. With its lightweight composition and simpler design, the Glock was easy to make and less likely to malfunction.

In less than 10 years, the company was shipping more than 120,000 units per year to the United States. To this day, the brand is owned by the Glock family, and they are very secretive about their process. Rarely do they agree to interviews, and never do they open up their U.S. plant in Smyrna, Georgia to journalists, tourists, or anyone else.

Loyalty of Glock Enthusiasts

Glock has its fair share of followers. Gun enthusiasts around the world love it, and it’s a favorite among law enforcement officers, the FBI, and even famous terrorists and dictators. Military personnel found Saddam Hussein in his hideout in 2003 carrying a Glock.

The brand has a huge presence at trade shows, and no other manufacturer is more influential. With so many law enforcement officers carrying a Glock, it quickly grew to be one of America’s favorites.

Glock’s Image

It’s clear how Glock’s image has grown in the past 30 years. Glamorized by the likes of Arnold Schwarzenegger as Jericho Cane in “End of Days” and Matt Damon as Jason Bourne in “The Bourne Ultimatum,” the iconic firearm has taken over the big screen. Add to that the countless name drops of the firearm in beats from rappers including Tupac Shakur, Dr. Dre and many others.

Filmmakers and prop masters throughout the industry began using Glock because it was different. That was part of the appeal. Different meant exciting, and America caught onto the hype.

Other firearm manufacturers have been trying to catch up to the brand, and while they can match firepower, they’ve never achieved quite the same level of star power.

Glock’s Functional Advantages

Star power aside, the Glock also has many tactical advantages. For one, it is well know for it’s reliability. It rarely misfires or malfunctions. It can outgun many semiautomatic pistols, and it’s simple to shoot. It’s easy to see why law enforcement chose this handgun over any other.

This iconic pistol also fires nearly four times faster than a revolver. When put to the test, a revolver can achieve 18 shots in 22.7 seconds, while it takes the Glock only 5.7 seconds, on average. The beauty is in its simplicity. Even when handled by someone who has never shot a gun before, it hits every target.

With a variety of models to choose from like the Glock 17, Glock 19 Gen 5  and Glock 43, there are handguns for sale for almost everyone. Grab a Gun has one of the most expansive online gun stores with competitive pricing and our Shoot Now, Pay Later gun financing. Make your entry into the gun arena or enhance your existing collection with semi-automatic handguns that fit your unique needs.

We are here to write about the Springfield XDS, but no matter what’s happening in the world, it seems that people are up in arms (pun intended) about gun control, self-defense, and what we can do to protect our families and ourselves. Self-defense is a fine goal, to be sure, and all political discussions aside, the fact is that some people just feel more comfortable knowing they have a firearm to protect themselves at home should they ever need to.

This is the perfect time to discuss what seems to be the ideal firearm for self-defense — the Springfield XDS. Springfield has a long-standing tradition of producing quality firearms at affordable prices. Their steady stream of premium products pleases everyone who uses them.

About the Springfield XDS

Springfield took the XDS’s predecessors, the XD, and the XDM, and unveiled something even hotter. The XD Springfield was versatile and held sixteen rounds, whereas the XDM held nineteen. Both were also difficult to carry around for long periods of time. More rounds added to an already significant carry weight.

The XDS Springfield is slimmer, more compact, and lightweight. Not to mention, it has surprisingly little recoil due to the flexibility of the polymer frame and its shape. The only strike against it is that it doesn’t hold as much ammunition, but we’re talking about self-defense firearms here, not target practice. If you need more than six rounds, you might be in more trouble than the XDS (or any other firearm) can help with.

Variations

The Springfield XDS comes in both 9mm and .45-caliber models. The .45 holds five rounds plus one, but the grip is a bit small and hard to stabilize. However, using an extra-length magazine and a frame-sized sleeve make it much more comfortable.

On the contrary, the 9mm version is sleeker and lighter. It holds seven rounds, and the extended version holds nine. It’s easier to carry than most double-stack 9mm firearms despite how much ammo it holds. With a barrel clocking in at 3.3 inches, it doesn’t bump your hip as you walk.

Disassembly and Cleaning

When it comes to cleaning, you have to dry fire the XDS to take it apart. Not only that, but if you leave the magazine in the frame, you can’t move the disassembly lever. If the lever is in the up position, you can’t reinsert the magazine. You have to completely remove the magazine to disassemble it, adding just one more safety precaution to the operation of the firearm.

Concealment

This pistol is great for almost any carry purpose. It’s lightweight and compact, and it has the capability for expanded ammunition rounds. It has comfort and controllability, and in the realm of single-stack subcompact pistols, it’s a clear leader.

The short grip, thin frame, and flush magazine make the XDS one of the most concealable firearms today. Even with its magazine capacity of seven plus one, it beats out many other top contenders. And when you don’t care to conceal it, you can expand the magazine to nine plus one for a grip that’s more comfortable.

The downside to its compact size and concealability is that you may feel like you have no place to put your pinky if you have large hands. You could lose a little bit of control, but it only takes a bit of getting used to. Some pistols this size feel flimsy or a bit like a toy, but the XDS feels like a real gun comparatively.

Home Defense

The expanded ammunition capabilities are perfect for home defense as well. Even if you don’t plan to conceal the Springfield XDS, you can use it as an effective tool for protecting your home, because you have more versatility of magazines and don’t have to worry about bulk.

Most likely, you don’t conceal firearms on your person at home, so this one is the perfect choice for home use because there are so many different options that are easily accessible and great for rapid use in defense situations.

The Springfield XDS is the perfect self-defense firearm for so many reasons that it might just be our new favorite. You can’t beat the lightweight composition of the frame, making it more comfortable with less recoil. You also won’t find another firearm that’s this concealable with this level of capacity.

If you’re looking for a new conceal carry firearm for self-defense, the Springfield XDS should land at the top of your list, thanks to its comfort and ease of use. Check out cheap guns for sale online at Grab a Gun, the internet’s leading online gun shop.

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.

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.

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