Are you interested in guns? Maybe you want to learn all about them before you head to your first gun show or shop online.

Whether you’re a gun enthusiast or want to buy one for home defense, you should start with the basics of all the different types.

Read on to learn all about all the types of guns and what they do!

Handguns

A handgun is a firearm that you can hold in one hand. It is small enough for you to conceal but also powerful enough to use in self-defense.

Handguns are an essential part of self-defense as you can use them to deter an attacker and give you the upper hand in a dangerous situation. It is important to choose the right handgun for your needs and to receive proper training before using one.

Full-Sized Handguns

The most popular type of handgun on the market today is the full-size handgun. These handguns are large and usually have a barrel length of four to six inches.

Full-size handguns typically have a higher capacity than other types of handguns and they are also easier to shoot accurately. They are often used for self-defense or by law enforcement.

Compact Handguns

Compact handguns are smaller than full-size handguns and have a barrel length of three to four inches. They are easier to carry than full-size handguns, but they have a lower capacity and are not as easy to shoot accurately. The most popular types of compact handguns are the Glock 19 and the P320 compact.

If you’re looking for Glock 19 parts, you can find them easily online. Just do a search for “parts of a gun” and you’ll come up with a ton of results. Make sure you know what you’re looking for before you buy anything.

Sub-Compact Handguns

Sub-compact handguns are even smaller than compact handguns and have a barrel length of two to three inches. They are the easiest to carry, but they have the lowest capacity and are the most difficult to shoot accurately.

Micro-Compact/Pocket Pistol

A Micro-compact/pocket pistol is a handgun that is small and easily concealable. They are often used as a backup or hideaway gun.

Micro-compact/pocket pistols usually have a shorter barrel and grip than a conventional handgun. This makes them easier to carry and conceal. The most popular types of micro-compact/pocket pistols are the Glock 42 and the Ruger LCP.

Revolvers

A revolver is a wheel gun with a cylinder that contains the bullets. The cylinder revolves around a central axis and is fired by pulling the trigger. The most common type of revolver is the six-shooter, which has six chambers that hold the bullets. There are also eight-shooters and ten-shooters.

Single-Action

The most common type of revolver is the single-action revolver. This type of revolver has a cylinder that holds the ammunition and a trigger that you can pull to rotate the cylinder and fire the gun. Single-action revolvers are simple to use and are often used by beginners.

Double-Action

There are many types of revolvers on the market today, but the two most common are the single-action and the double-action. The difference between the two lies in the mechanism that cocks the hammer.

On a single-action revolver, the hammer must be manually cocked before each shot. While on a double-action revolver, the hammer is automatically cocked when you pull the trigger.

Double-action revolvers are generally more popular. This is because they are easier to use and require less training to use effectively.

They are also more versatile since you can use them for both self-defense and target shooting. However, single-action revolvers are still popular among many shooters. And this is because of their simplicity and reliability.

Double-Action Only (DAO)

Double-action only (DAO) revolvers are a type of double-action revolver that you can only fire in the double-action mode. This means that the user does not need to cock the hammer before each shot, making it a safer and more user-friendly option.

Rifles

Rifles are a type of long gun with a long rifled barrel. You should fire a rifle from the shoulder.

Rifles come in a variety of calibers and styles. They also serve a variety of purposes, from hunting to target shooting to military and law enforcement applications.

Lever-Action Rifles

Lever action rifles are popular for a number of reasons. They are typically lightweight and easy to handle, making them a good choice for hunters and target shooters alike. Additionally, the simple design of a lever action rifle means that they are typically less expensive than other types of rifles.

Bolt-Action Rifles

Bolt-action rifles get their name from the way they operate. To chamber a round, the shooter must first cock the gun by hand. Then, they pull the trigger, which releases the bolt, allowing it to fly forward and chamber the round.

Bolt-action rifles are accurate and reliable. Many shooters prefer them for hunting and target shooting because they can be very accurate, even at long range.

Semi-Automatic Rifles

A semi-automatic rifle is a type of rifle that is able to fire a single shot with each pull of the trigger. It can then automatically load the next round of ammunition into the chamber.

Break-Action Rifles

A break action rifle is a type of firearm in which the barrel breaks open to the side to load and extract cartridges. Break action rifles can be either single shot or double barrel.

They are generally more accurate than other types of guns, due to the fact that there is no action required to cock the hammer. Break action rifles are also generally less expensive than other types of firearms.

Air Rifles

Air rifles are a type of rifle that uses compressed air or CO2 to propel BBs, pellets, or sometimes Paintballs. They are mostly used for plinking, target shooting, or small game hunting.

Shotguns

A shotgun is a firearm that is usually fired from the shoulder. It uses a light gauge smooth bore barrel and large bore ammunition. Depending on the intended purpose, you can use shotguns for hunting, sport shooting, or self-defense.

Break Action Shotguns

The term “break action” refers to any type of shotgun where the barrels are hinged on the frame and break open much like a revolver. The term can apply to side-by-side and over/under shotguns. While the action is strong enough to handle heavy loads, it isn’t suitable for rapid fire.

Lever-Action Shotguns

The design of the lever-action shotguns is for firing from the hip. Lever-action shotguns have a smaller barrel than other types of shotguns. They often have a knurled grip to help keep your hand from slipping.

Pump-Action Shotguns

This type of shotgun has a pump handle located on the side of the receiver. You use the handle to pump the action of the shotgun, which loads a fresh round of ammunition into the chamber.

Pump-action shotguns are a versatile and reliable choice for hunting and home defense. They are relatively simple to operate and very reliable.

Semi-automatic Shotguns

A semi-automatic shotgun is a type of shotgun that is able to fire a round each time you pull the trigger. You don’t have to manually cock the hammer each time. Some of the most popular semiautomatic shotgun brands include Beretta, Browning, and Remington.

Machine Guns

Machine guns are a type of firearm that is able to fire multiple rounds in quick succession. These firearms are typically used by military and law enforcement forces to provide suppressing fire or to take out multiple targets at once. There are a variety of different types of machine guns, each with its own unique capabilities and features.

Submachine Guns

Submachine guns are a type of machine gun that fires pistol-caliber rounds. These guns are magazine-fed, meaning they have a box that holds the ammunition and feeds it into the gun. They are typically used in close-quarters combat and have a high rate of fire.

Heavy Machine Guns

Heavy machine guns are the heaviest and most powerful type of machine gun. This makes them ideal for anti-aircraft and anti-tank use.

Heavy machine guns are more difficult to transport and maneuver when compared to light machine guns. They are generally mounted on vehicles or in fixed positions.

Light Machine Guns

Light machine guns are a type of machine gun designed to be used by one person and fired from the shoulder. They are smaller and lighter than other types of machine guns. This makes them ideal for use in scenarios where a large, bulky weapon would be impractical.

Knowing All About the Different Types of Guns

If you’re looking to purchase a gun, it’s important to know the different types that are available. This guide provides a complete overview of the most common types of guns, so you can make an informed decision. Remember to always practice gun safety, and handle guns with care.

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