What types of guns are commonly available at a gun shop?

Walking into a well-stocked gun shop for the first time can be an overwhelming experience. The variety of firearms available is vast, each designed for specific purposes from personal defense and competitive shooting to hunting and recreational plinking. Understanding the common categories can help you navigate the selection and have a more productive conversation with the knowledgeable staff. This guide provides an authoritative overview of the primary types of firearms you are likely to encounter.

Handguns: Compact and Personal

Handguns are designed to be held and fired with one or two hands. They are popular for personal defense, concealed carry (where legally permitted), target shooting, and some competitive disciplines. Industry data consistently shows handguns as one of the top-selling firearm categories.

• Revolvers: Characterized by a rotating cylinder that typically holds 5 to 8 rounds. They are renowned for their mechanical simplicity, reliability, and ease of use. Common actions include single-action (the hammer must be manually cocked before each shot) and double-action (pulling the trigger both cocks and releases the hammer).
• Semi-Automatic Pistols: These feed ammunition from a detachable box magazine, usually housed in the grip. After firing, the energy from the shot cycles the action, ejecting the spent casing and loading a fresh round from the magazine. They are popular for their higher ammunition capacity and typically faster reloads compared to revolvers.

Long Guns: Rifles and Shotguns

Long guns, fired from the shoulder, provide increased stability, accuracy, and power at longer distances. They are the primary tools for hunting and many sporting activities.

Rifles

Rifles feature a barrel with spiral grooves (rifling) that spin the projectile for improved accuracy. They fire a single projectile per trigger pull.

• Bolt-Action Rifles: The shooter manually operates a bolt handle to cycle the action. Prized for their exceptional accuracy and reliability, they are a top choice for precision shooting and big game hunting.
• Semi-Automatic Rifles: These automatically cycle a new round after each shot with a pull of the trigger. This category includes modern sporting rifles, often used for recreational shooting, competition, varmint control, and some types of hunting, as well as traditional designs.
• Lever-Action and Pump-Action Rifles: These use a manually operated lever or forend to cycle rounds. They have a classic design and remain popular for hunting, particularly in brushy terrain.

Shotguns

Shotguns typically have a smooth bore (though some are rifled for slugs) and are designed to fire shells containing multiple pellets (shot) or a single projectile (slug).

• Pump-Action Shotguns: The shooter manually slides the forend back and forth to eject and chamber shells. Known for their durability and versatility, they are widely used for home defense, hunting, and clay target sports.
• Semi-Automatic Shotguns: These use gas or recoil operation to automatically cycle after each shot, allowing for faster follow-up shots. They are common in waterfowl hunting and competitive clay shooting.
• Break-Action Shotguns: Including single-shot and double-barrel (side-by-side or over-under) designs, these hinge open for loading. They are valued for their simplicity, reliability, and classic aesthetics, often seen in hunting and trap/skeet fields.

Specialty and Historical Firearms

Many shops also cater to niche interests and historical enthusiasts.

• Modern Sporting Rifles (MSRs): This is an industry term for a broad category of modular, semi-automatic rifles, such as the AR-15 platform, which are highly customizable for various sporting uses.
• Black Powder Firearms: These are muzzleloading rifles, pistols, and shotguns that use loose powder and projectile. They are popular with historical reenactors and hunters in special seasons.
• Curios & Relics (C&R): Licensed shops may offer firearms classified by the ATF as curios or relics due to their age, historical significance, or rarity, appealing to collectors.

This overview covers the fundamental categories. The specific inventory of any gun shop will vary based on its focus, local demand, and state regulations. When visiting, the greatest value comes from speaking with the staff. Describe your intended use-whether it is home defense, hunting deer, learning to shoot, or collecting-and they can guide you toward the most suitable options within these common types. Always remember that laws governing the purchase, possession, and use of firearms vary significantly by jurisdiction. It is the buyer's responsibility to verify all federal, state, and local laws, often with the assistance of the FFL or qualified legal counsel, before proceeding with any transaction.