LearnAboutGuns.com

I would like to point out an excellent article entitled “Best Choices for Self Defense Ammo.” That article is the result of extensive testing of various self defense rounds, for handguns, rifles, and shotguns.  I would say it is one of the all around best self defense ammo reviews I’ve ever seen.

When facing attack by a violent criminal, the reliability of one’s self defense ammunition can be a matter of life or death.  If the round doesn’t fire, the crime victim can lose the opportunity to shoot the criminal before that criminal can harm them.  Even if the round does fire, an insufficient powder charge could prevent the firearm from cycling properly, leaving that crime victim unable to quickly fire a much-needed follow-up shot.  In the worst case, having a double or triple powder charge could cause the firearm to explode, injuring the crime victim and leaving them even more vulnerable to the criminal.  To be sure, such failures are quite rare, and I have a great deal of confidence in modern ammunition.  However weighing one’s self defense ammo is relatively cheap insurance against such very rare but very serious ammo problems: Read the rest of this article »

Although criminals can attack at any time of day, they often commit robberies and home invasions under cover of darkness.  However, many gun owners are unaccustomed to shooting in the dark, since ranges tend to be well lit and/or open during the daytime hours.  Training in daylight, while helpful, does not fully prepare a person for the realities of shooting in self defense at night.  The solution to this problem is Read the rest of this article »

Following up on my recent article about long term ammunition storage, I would like to make a few comments about the “first in, first out” ammo storage method: Read the rest of this article »

Prior to the current ammunition shortage,  I generally kept only a small amount of ammo at home.  I never really bothered to stock up, since I could always buy plenty of ammo at a reasonable price from my local gun stores.  But nowadays, ammunition is in short supply, and sometimes can’t be had at any price.  For example, I’ve wanted to go shoot my Springfield XD40 a few times this summer, but didn’t have any ammo (other than a limited amount of self defense ammo) on hand, and all of my local gun stores were completely out of .40 S&W.  Not wanting to repeat this experience, I’ve decided to stock up on ammunition.  Below are my suggestions for the long term storage of ammo: Read the rest of this article »

Ammunition used for self defense purposes must be carefully picked to ensure optimal performance.   A bullet that performs properly can be the difference between stopping an attacker in time, or dying at the hands of that attacker.  I’ve discussed, in general, my thoughts on the proper ammunition for such defensive purposes.  However I don’t have the time/resources to provide specific information about the performance of various different self defense round.  That is why I’m mentioning The Brass Fetcher website: Read the rest of this article »

In movies and on the TV, it is common to see gun users get very close to the bad guy, often placing the gun against the bad guy’s body.  While I hope that neither I nor anyone who reads this article ever has to use a gun in self defense, properly using the gun in such a situation is vital.  Those who defend themselves using a gun should keep their distance from the criminal for a few reasons: Read the rest of this article »

Although it seems obvious, I thought I would go ahead and say that handguns belong in holsters, rather than tucked into waistbands. Read the rest of this article »

A visitor to this site recently left a comment suggesting that Mace, pepper spray, or some other less lethal self defense tool would work just as well as a gun, and that using a gun for self defense against a violent criminal is wrong.  I find both of those assertions to be untrue.  While Tasers, pepper spray, and other self defense tools have their place, none of them can match the ability of a gun to stop a criminal before it is too late, and that is why I advocate self defense with firearms. Read the rest of this article »

Its always annoyed me to hear people incorrectly refer to magazines as “clips”.  This video clip does a nice job explaining the difference: Read the rest of this article »

Following up on the article in which I addressed the fact that sometimes it is not wise to clean a gun, this article addresses my recommendations as to how frequently a gun should be cleaned. Read the rest of this article »

For parents, the desire to protect their children from the horrible harm home invading criminals can inflict is a good reason to own a gun.  However having children, especially small children, means that extra care must be taken to ensure that children aren’t harmed by guns.  This article addresses my suggestions in this area: Read the rest of this article »

I advocate self defense with firearms for the simple reason that they are the best tools yet invented to stop a home invader or other criminal from committing a horrible crime.  Complementing gun ownership for self defense are home security considerations, as discussed below.

Read the rest of this article »

Having a gun that is comfortable for the user to hold and fire is important.  A gun that doesn’t fit the user will be unpleasant to shoot, and accuracy will suffer.  This article addresses such considerations when selecting a gun: Read the rest of this article »

Cleaning one’s firearms is important to ensure that they will function safely and reliably for years to come.  Strange as it may sound, however, it is sometimes important NOT to clean a gun: Read the rest of this article »

A rather contentious issue in the area of self defense is that of proper bullet weight/velocity – I would guess that this is second only to the “which caliber” or “which gun” question.  On one side is the idea that a lighter weight but faster moving bullet is superior, while others contend that a slower moving but heaver bullet is the better option.  This article addresses my thoughts on the issue: Read the rest of this article »

The question of which gun cleaning solvent, protectant, and lubricant to use is one that comes rather often.  This article addresses my thoughts and recommendations insofar as gun solvents/oils/protectants are concerned: Read the rest of this article »

I was reviewing the search engine statistics for this website, and found that there were quite a few people searching for “What is Gun Control”?  I, and many readers of this website are quite familiar with gun control, however I thought an introduction to gun control might be helpful for some people: Read the rest of this article »

The question of “which caliber” is one that is asked and debated quite frequently.  This article gives my opinion as to the proper revolver caliber for self defense purposes. Read the rest of this article »

I’ve bought a variety of gun cases, for transporting handguns, shotguns, and rifles. This article lists some tips that I have come up with for those choosing a gun case, based upon the lessons I’ve learned. Read the rest of this article »

I’ve seen that some people dislike handguns such as Glocks and some of the Springfield XD pistols because they lack an external safety, such as can be found on the Springfield 1911. This article addresses my thoughts on the matter: Read the rest of this article »

Pistols and revolvers each have their own advantages and disadvantages. This article discusses the pros and cons of each type of handgun: Read the rest of this article »

The pros and cons of pistol caliber carbines, which are rifles that have a relatively short barrel and are chambered for pistol cartridges, are discussed below: Read the rest of this article »

As previously discussed, safe and responsible gun storage is essential. I’ve been asked what features I recommend for gun safes, which I discuss below: Read the rest of this article »

I see quite a few visitors searching for information on the size of shot in the various shotgun shells, such as 00 buck, #1 buck, #4 bird, etc., and the number of pellets in a one ounce 12 Gauge shell This article provides that information for lead shot. Read the rest of this article »

There are a variety of options when it comes to choosing a sight for your handgun, shotgun, or rifle. Each sighting option has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. This article discusses each of the major options. Read the rest of this article »

Different shotgun activities require different barrel lengths. This article addresses the recommended barrel lengths for various purposes, and the pros and cons of these barrel lengths. Read the rest of this article »

In response to my articles on selecting a gun for home defense, taking a friend shooting for the first time, and facts about recoil, I have been asked how one can get used to the recoil generated by more powerful guns. Getting used to recoil is not too challenging, as this article explains. Read the rest of this article »

Few topics are as hotly debated as the question of “which caliber”. This article addresses my thoughts on the topic for semi-automatic (autoloading) pistols, intended for self defense use. Read the rest of this article »

Pump action shotguns and rifles are well suited to home defense, due to their reliability. An added benefit of pump action is that it makes storing the firearm in a relatively safe yet ready to use fashion easier. While this practice is likely obvious to those experienced with pump action firearms, it may not be as obvious for those more familiar with other action types, or those new to firearms. This article describes how to store a pump action firearm in a safe yet ready to use manner. Read the rest of this article »

Porting, which refers to the addition of holes near the end of a shotgun’s barrel, can be a good addition to your home defense or sporting shotgun.  There are some drawbacks as well, and this article addresses both. Read the rest of this article »

For a home defense or self defense handgun, simplicity and reliability are paramount. That said, there are several accessories which can provide the law abiding citizen with an advantage in a home defense situation, without adversely effecting the simplicity and reliability of the handgun. Read the rest of this article »

Although this site is dedicated to firearms, I thought I would post an effectiveness comparison of the various self defense tools.  These are guns, Tasers, pepper spray, and edges/blunt objects. Read the rest of this article »

For a defensive shotgun, simplicity and reliability are paramount. That said, there are several shotgun accessories which can provide the law abiding citizen with an advantage in a home defense situation, without adversely effecting the simplicity and reliability of the shotgun. Read the rest of this article »

Lawfully purchasing a gun online requires only a little bit more work than purchasing most other items online, and this extra effort can be worth the price savings.  Other times, the exact firearm that the buyer wants might not be available locally, especially when the gun in question is no longer in production, or is a high demand item that is in short supply.  This article describes the relatively simple process of legally purchasing a gun online. Read the rest of this article »

I received an email from a reader of this site, telling me about the Taurus Judge, which is a revolver that can fire either the .45 Long Colt, or a .410 shotgun shell (often loaded with birdshot).  By chance I happen to have handled a Taurus Judge right before I read that email.  Below is is the email I received, along with my thoughts on the use of birdshot for home and automotive defense. Read the rest of this article »

Below is a how to guide on breaking down, cleaning, and reassembling a Remington 870, complete with pictures of each step. The shotgun pictured is a Remington 870 XCS Marine Magnum, but the steps will be the same for any of the Remington 870 family. The steps for other shotguns are similar as well. Read the rest of this article »

Having discussed how firearms are the great equalizer, enabling a 90 pound grandmother to defend herself against a 250 pound home invader, I thought it would be proper to discuss which guns are best for those sensitive to recoil. Read the rest of this article »

There are a few basics of safe gun handling that everyone should know and abide by before they even consider touching a gun, much less firing one.  Safely exercising our Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms requires that we be responsible, for our own safety and for the safety of those around us. Read the rest of this article »

Having addressed safe and responsible gun storage, I will now address the importance of protecting your guns from damage due to humidity Read the rest of this article »

Selecting the right ammunition for home defense use is vital to effectively stopping an attacker and reducing the risk of injury to innocent bystanders. This article addresses recommendations for shotgun, handgun, and rifle ammunition. If you’re unsure as to what type of gun to get for home defense, see this article. Read the rest of this article »

Gun ownership is a sacred right, and with the exercise of the right to keep and bear arms comes the responsibility to safely and responsibly store those guns Read the rest of this article »

Gun terms defined:

Read the rest of this article »

Many people purchase their first gun for home defense, and the question of which type of gun to pick is a common one. The three basic choices are a handgun, shotgun, or rifle. Of the three, I would recommend a Read the rest of this article »

I am relatively new to firearms and had trouble locating a gun store and range near my home, which is in the Chicagoland area Read the rest of this article »

Getting started as a responsible, law abiding firearm owner in Illinois is a simple process, as this article shows. Read the rest of this article »