When it comes to buying accessories for a rifle, the first thing to be aware of is that you are looking at several things, all of which are equally important. Not only are you going to look at the quality of the part itself, but you also need to be aware of the layers of regulations on federal and state levels. There is much to consider when buying rifle accessories, so this quick guide should get you started in the right direction.
What Exactly Is an Accessory?
Oddly, even ammunition is often listed as an accessory although it’s not a firearm unless you fire it! Doesn’t that require ammunition? With that said, anything that didn’t come from the factory as part of a ‘working’ rifle is considered an accessory. Ammunition, by the way, is strictly regulated by federal law. Therefore, when buying ammunition, don’t be overly concerned that they will want to ensure you are not a felon and don’t have a violent history.
Know Exactly What You Are Looking For
If you are new to the wonderful world of rifles, you may not really understand some of the terminology being used. For example, when looking for a really precise sight for your rifle, you may come across the term “iron sight,” wondering how something that heavy can be as precise as they are reputed as being. Actually, an iron sight really refers to the alignment of markers, generally made of some kind of metal and not always iron. They are no heavier than most sights but their precision is top-of-the-line. Also, they are very low profile which can be misleading as well. It doesn’t refer to them being not easily spotted but rather their distance above and below the gun. That is really all that means. Because some terms can be misconstrued, do the research before ordering a part or accessory.
Inspect and Clean Prior to Using
One thing you will quickly learn is that most accessories and gun parts don’t come lubricated, but sometimes are overly lubricated. In other words, once they are run through quality control safety inspections, they are shipped as is. Always clean pertinent gun parts and lubricate them as recommended prior to attaching them to your firearm. For gun safety, this is an absolute must. When it comes to buying ammunition, many rifle owners prefer to buy .223 bulk ammo online due to the convenience and cost-effectiveness it offers. However, it’s important to do your research and make sure you are buying from a reputable source.
Know Which Parts Require Specific Licenses
Some rifle accessories such as laser guides and scopes are strictly regulated by federal law. For many of these kinds of accessories you will be required to have a federal license and those are not easy to obtain. Generally speaking, they are for law enforcement and military only but as with every other law, there are exceptions. The point being made here is that if you want a totally legal rifle, it pays to understand the laws regulating the accessories you are ordering.
It’s Up to You to Do Your Homework
Before just going online to order any rifle accessory or part, it pays to do your homework. Not only should you learn all that you can learn about the specific accessory you are looking at but also the laws regulating that particular part. In addition to that, you should pay attention to customer reviews of the company you are ordering your parts from. Pay particular attention to the feedback coming from seasoned gun owners because they have a wide range of experience in something you are new to. When it comes to feedback from customers, you can usually believe the good reviews because human nature typically only prompts us to open our mouths when we are dissatisfied. If a company gets a lot of good reviews, that’s the company to choose.
