What do you consider essential to gun ownership?

[gvcandyman]

I am new to owning guns and am wondering what you consider to be essential equipment/accessories. Things I'm thinking about are gun lock, sling, snap caps, bipod, cleaning kit, vise, range bags. Anything else you think are necessities?

 

[kostyanj]

One major thing you're missing is a safe!!

 

[Tim the student]

ammo!

 

[EddieNFL]

A sense of responsibility.

 

[dovedescending]

An NRA membership...?

 

[benEzra]

It depends on what you shoot, but I have been an avid shooter for more than 20 years and don't own any snap caps, a bipod, or a vise, and use an airline carryon as a range bag.

A safe is a good thing. Hearing protection is essential (I wear muffs over plugs, always). Some sort of eye protection, if you don't wear robust glasses. A shooting rest can substitute for a bipod.

 

[jnyork]

A thorough and complete understanding of the 4 Rules and an intense desire to follow them to the letter.

 

[CWL]

"bipod" and "vise" but no scope? This is assuming you are talking about a rifle.

How about training lessons?

I think "knowledge" should precede most of those "essentials" that you list.

 

[gvcandyman]

Well the rifle I want comes with a scope which I am planning on replacing with a Nikon as soon as I can.

 

[usmc1371]

You are doing the right thing by asking questions, you don't wan't to be the new guy who thinks he knows every thing. The rest of will know you are the fng. Good hearing protection is very important once your hrearing is gone its gone for good. If you go to a range you are unfamilar with don't be shy with the questions. Congrats on getting into the gun life but I warn you this is an addictive hobby, almost no one owns just one gun.

 

[gvcandyman]

Lol I know I shot my first gun with my girl friend's family this last year and i've already got a list of guns I want to buy. Just have to find a way to pay for it.

 

[cavman]

The frequent use of your Right to Vote.

 

[cleardiddion]

Hoppes 9.
Q-tips.
A safe.
A flashlight.
A good set of screwdrivers.
Allen wrenches.
Internet connection.

 

[LeonCarr]

A gun

 

[happygeek]

A cleaning kit and not minding cleaning guns. Shooting guns means cleaning guns. I'm still searching for the mythical self cleaning rifle, I'll let you know when I find it. I've found that the much vaulted gas piston just moves the gunk to the gas plug, gas piston, and gas tube. For me anyways, those parts are easier to clean than the inside of the bolt carrier, but you still have to clean em.

Shop around! I came back to the states right in the middle of the Obama Panic and didn't even find out I was paying too much until months later.

 

[jbrown50]

Not already mentioned -

Knowledge of the laws where you live

 

[hso]

The first material items are eye and ear protection. Get the best you can afford since you won't have any opportunity to replace vision or hearing. Luckily, good protection for both can be had cheaply.

The first non-material necessity is a 110% adherence to firearms safety rules.

Following those are cleaning supplies and ammunition and training and practice.

As your involvement in the sport grows and your firearms collection grows you'll find additional "needs".

 

[Sav .250]

One thing for sure. A "safe" place to store/secure your weapons.

 

[The Bushmaster]

Like at 4:30 to 2:00 on your waist...

 

[Ed N.]

A CCW license, if required by your state.

In some states, such as Florida, having your CCW will exempt you from a waiting period when buying a new gun, thus enabling you to go bankrupt even faster.

Oh, yeah - a large bank account will also come in handy.

 

[Spike89]

A good forum to ask questions like yours.
That is a check of the list.

 

[gvcandyman]

Great thanks for all the input everyone. I really appreciate it.

 

[Enachos]

Extra mags!!!!!

 

[oneounceload]

How about eyes and ears? Didn't see that mentioned

 

[searcher451]

+1 on a gun safe -- and a good one at that. Something else that's often not mentioned in the first blush, of even the second: insurance.