Buying your first AR is a big step for a new hunter, but the process of getting one doesn’t end after you complete your purchase. There are still a lot of things you’ll need to do once you bring it home. That’s why we’ve put together this guide on what to do after buying a rifle.
Thoroughly Clean and Inspect It
One would think that a brand-new gun would come out of the box ready to be used, but this is not the case. They are rarely clean or lubed up for use, so that is where you’ll want to start. While taking the firearm apart to clean it, be sure to check it for defects or imperfections. If you are unsure, check the manual for verification. If there is a problem, you’ll want to contact the manufacturer immediately.
Take It To the Range
Of course, not all problems can be noticed simply by looking the rifle over. You’ll have to inspect some of them while shooting it for the first time at the range. Simply firing off a clip won’t be enough, either. You’ll want to fire off hundreds of rounds before determining that a new AR is good to go before your first hunting trip. If you get through those with no issues, you should be all set with the one they sent you.
Buy Some Accessories
Now it’s time to start customizing it with some accessories. Extra magazines, slings, and enhanced sights are just a few of the possible additions you can get for your gun. You’ll also need some accessories for when your gun isn’t in use either—specifically, a gun safe. There’s a chance that you might already have one that’s big enough to fit your new rifle. However, if you don’t, this is one of the things you’ll want to purchase right away.
Learn How To Best Use It For Hunting
For the final point in our guide on what to do after buying a rifle, we want you to make sure you know how to correctly use it for the best results out in the wild. If you are new to using an AR, we’d recommend that you hire a professional trainer or find a highly-skilled friend who hunted with a rifle before who can show you the ropes. You won’t want to pick up any bad habits from teaching yourself.
If you already know how to use a rifle, though, you’ll probably still want to work on improving your aim with it. Fortunately, this is easy to do with the help of some friendly pointers. With enough practice, we’re sure you’ll be consistently hitting your desired prey in no time.
