Owning a firearm comes with much responsibility, which includes purchasing the proper ammunition. Whether your pistol is for protection or hobbies like hunting, you never want to pull the trigger and have the gun not work correctly due to using the wrong bullets. Below, the firearms safety and training experts from LTC Austin, your premier choice for Austin LTC online training, explain some of the problems that can result from using incorrect ammo for a handgun and tips to follow when shopping for the correct type.
Increases the Risk of Injuries
Using ammunition that’s a larger or smaller caliber than intended for your handgun can be catastrophic. The pressure caused in the gun may result in serious injuries to yourself or someone near you. Make sure the ammo caliber being loaded into your gun matches the caliber of the gun itself. Handgun calibers should be stamped on the barrel of the gun. Ammunition that’s smaller than the rated caliber of your handgun may fit in the magazine and appear to load properly, but it can still be extremely dangerous to shoot.
Affects Your Shooting Experience
Your purpose for using the handgun will determine what ammo to buy and what to avoid. Purchasing an incorrect caliber for your handgun will do more than ruin your shooting experience—it can also damage your gun and cause you serious injury. However, some guns can shoot multiple calibers or types of ammo, which can affect your experience with that gun. For example, a revolver that can shoot .357 may also be able to shoot 38 special. You may find 38 special very enjoyable to shoot, but .357 is way too powerful. Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for what ammo you can shoot out of your gun.
Damages the Handgun
Using the wrong ammo could damage your gun and prevent it from working. If this happens, you’ll need to have your handgun repaired. However, some damage is beyond repair, and you’ll have to purchase a new firearm. Ammunition needs to fit the chamber for the gun to operate correctly and reduce maintenance issues.
Affects Trajectory
Because most handgun shooting takes places within 25 yards, weather conditions are usually not a concern for affecting the path of a bullet from a pistol. For longer range shooting, something as simple as the wind could prevent the bullet from going on its intended path. Because of added velocity from the additional propellant, longer ammo typically maintains the most energy and can go farther.
Whether you’re a new or veteran handgun owner, choosing the right ammo is one of the most important things you can do. If you’d like to learn more about selecting ammunition, practicing gun safety, taking an Austin license to carry online class, or any other aspect of firearm ownership, reach out to the experts at LTC Austin today at 512-766-3039.