I don't think there is a better feeling than getting a new gun. Having a kid is a close second, but opening the box of that new gun most certainly inspires feelings of excitement and trepidation. More than anything, the first thing most of us want to do when a new gun comes in is go out and shoot it. This leads many to wonder, can I shoot a new gun out of the box? Can I open the box, load the gun, and get after it? Well, the easy answer is, yes, most of the time, yes. Modern guns are made to be highly reliable and are produced to demanding specifications. Popping them out of the box and going shooting will likely end up being a very successful day. If you've taken a gun out of the box and experienced failures and reliability issues, it can be tied to several things. Used guns, for example, can have issues. Maybe the gun has sat unsold for a good bit of time, and the factory lubrication is gone, or maybe the factory never lubricated it. More than likely, you'll have no problems firing the gun out of the box, but if you feel a little unsure about the process, we have some best practices for you to follow.

Barrett M82A1

New Guns and Best Practices If you can control your excitement just a bit, there are a few best practices you can commit to making sure your first range trip is a successful one. The first step is to inspect the firearm for anything broken or cracked. Next, is the firearm bone dry? Add a little lubrication at the necessary points to ensure it runs reliably. You also need to inspect the firearm for stickers. Rifle companies like to stick stickers in weird places, including the barrel. A hot barrel and a plastic sticker can make a mess. Some guns come with chamber flags, and those obviously need to be removed. I've noticed that a 22LR rifle and pistols will often come with a dummy round in the chamber to protect the firing pin from dry fire breakage, so pop that out before you try and load live rounds. Lastly, peruse the manual. You'll discover a few things along the way that could help you ensure the firearm runs reliably. This includes the proper ammo to use, where to lubricate the firearm, and how the firearm functions. The information the manual contains is a great resource that I've seen many new gun owners ignore.

Tisas Zigana PX-9 Gen 2 9mm Semi-Auto Pistol w/ Night Sights

That Excitement

You don't want that excitement of owning a new gun to become a disappointment as it fails. You can likely avoid that disappointment and prolong your excitement by just taking a little bit of time to inspect, lubricate, and read. Stay safe, stay ready, and keep shooting. Shop All Handguns
Shop All Long Guns
Shop All Accessories