What would you describe as an essential list of beginner gear?

[TheComebacKid]

I tried searching for a similar thread but to no avail. Just as the title implies. If a new gun owner approached you and said,

"I just bought my first handgun, shotgun, rifle, etc. What accessories/gear/protective equipment/cleaning supplies do you recommend I buy to accommodate it?"

How would you respond? So if you could create a comprehensive list of all the basics/essentials every gun owner should own, what would you include? Something along the lines of:

- Cleaning supplies and appropriate tools
- ear and eye protection
- range bag
- etc

[Jimmybacon43]

I would add gun safe to that list.

[barrage]

Basic cleaning kit and some sort of safe storage.

Fancy hearing protection, range bags, and eye protection aren't necessary. You can carry a gun in a backpack, protect your ears with foam earplugs from Home Depot, and buy impact resistant sunglasses.

[LAKings22]

Ammo, extra mags, cleaning kit. Eye/ear protection is something that can be rented for free at the range. If the person shows intrest in shooting then I would recommend them to buy there own. I know at least 5 people that I helped pick out there first handgun and they have only been to the range 1 time and haven't been back since.

When I purchased my first handgun, I would take it in the factory plastic case and buy my ammo at the range for the first year. Then it turned into a 2-3 times a year. Up until 3-4 years ago is when I really got into shooting and collecting, then you find out what accessories you need or think you need.

I forgot to mention a holster, just in case.

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[Darto]

Highpower binocular or a cheap spotting scope. Anything is better than nothing. Not needed for indoor range because the targets will come to you instead.

[BOOGIEMAN]

For now just buy the things you need like ammo, cleaning kits, gun locks, firearms bag/case.

[AceGirlsHusband]

If the person really has never shot a firearm before... I'd say a safety and familiarization course before anything else. All the gear will come on its own as the passion takes hold. But knowledge and understanding are essential and invaluable.

[mikenewgun87]

Friends ...who have firearms knowledge/experience, also willing to share some of their ammo haha

[sl0re10]

spray rem oil and bore snake. Depending on the gun; a rubber mallet (I needed one to get my Mark II apart).

If they have a blued gun; remind them to clean it after every use and to coat in actual gun oil (vs rem oil), from their cleaning kit, before medium or long term storage.

[omgwtfbbq]

I think most of the very basic gear has been covered pretty well so far. One thing to consider is buying for the future. If you are serious about maintaining an interest in the shooting sports, it's always a good idea to buy something that is going to last rather than something at a bargain you are going to have to replace later. I spent a lot of "small money" on cheap cleaning kits and bags and gun cases when I first got into shooting a lot as an adult, and ended up having to replace most of it with more quality gear as time went on. I'm not suggesting throw out a ton of money on stuff you don't need, but if you know you need it, might as well get something that's going to stand the test of time.

[evidens83]

Eye pro
Ear pro
cleaning supplies

[Steve_In_29]

I tried searching for a similar thread but to no avail. Just as the title implies. If a new gun owner approached you and said,

"I just bought my first handgun, shotgun, rifle, etc. What accessories/gear/protective equipment/cleaning supplies do you recommend I buy to accommodate it?"

How would you respond? So if you could create a comprehensive list of all the basics/essentials every gun owner should own, what would you include? Something along the lines of:

- Cleaning supplies and appropriate tools
- ear and eye protection
- range bag
- etc

You already named the essentials right there. Anything else is just extraneous to the job at hand.

[enzo357]

My range bag continues to grow. Keep it simple for now. More things will be "needed" as time goes on. An uplula loader is a great addition.

[RobertMW]

I tried searching for a similar thread but to no avail. Just as the title implies. If a new gun owner approached you and said,

"I just bought my first handgun, shotgun, rifle, etc. What accessories/gear/protective equipment/cleaning supplies do you recommend I buy to accommodate it?"

How would you respond? So if you could create a comprehensive list of all the basics/essentials every gun owner should own, what would you include? Something along the lines of:

- Cleaning supplies and appropriate tools
- ear and eye protection
- range bag
- etc

Means of safe storage. A trigger or action lock is sufficent if neccessary, just enough to not get nailed for improper storage if someone gets where they shouldn't.

Muffs AND plugs, always a good idea to double up at indoor ranges.

A purpose built range bag is not necessary if the gun came with its own case. If not, it is an absolute necessity, since ranges wont let you in if you carry your gun naked from a vehicle.

The new Cabella's single caliber cleaning kits are a good deal for a starter.

Splurge on Eye-Protection. There is nothing more frustrating than having your eye-pro get scratched to hell, or fogged up while on the shooting line because they don't have good hard coatings or a case to store them in.

A lint free towel and water free hand scrub. It is nice to be able to wipe your gun of extra oil/grease and in case your hands get sweaty (happens all the time to new shooters, they get clammy.) Water free scrub is so you can get your hands clean without having to go searching for a bathroom to clean up at while leaving your gear completely unattended.

[Untamed1972]

The first item on the essential beginners list should be:

1: $$$$$$$