May 27, 2025 • 14 mins
In this episode of the Defensive Skills Academy podcast, host Joe discusses the crucial steps to take when handling a new firearm. The episode emphasizes that just because a gun is new, it doesn't mean it's ready for use. Joe advises listeners to clean the firearm thoroughly, check for any malfunctions, and run the specific ammo they plan to use through the firearm. Additionally, he stresses the importance of inspecting magazines, screws, and fittings, and the necessity of a break-in period. Listeners are encouraged to test their firearms in various conditions and shooting positions to ensure reliability. The podcast highlights that brand reputation does not guarantee readiness, and proper testing and training are essential.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:31):
Defensive Skills Academypodcast, where we dive into
firearm, second Amendment,information security, and more.
I'm Joe, your host, and eachweek we will cover a new topic
for your information and leadingto your personal protection.
Today we're talking about whatto do with that new firearm, so
(00:51):
stay tuned.
Don't forget.
You could listen to us onpodbean.com, Spotify iHeartRadio
YouTube podcast and buy me acoffee.com.
This episode is brought to youby Dynamic Tactic Firearms for
all your transfer needs, checkout Dynamic Tactic Firearms,
(01:13):
your friendly FFL dealer, Whatto do with that new firearm, or
do you trust it right out of thebox.
A lot of folks assume a brandnew gun is ready to roll.
The second it leaves the case.
However, because it's newdoesn't mean it's ready for use
(01:34):
right out of the box parts andmanufacturers aren't perfect.
If you are lying on a firearmfor defense, competition, or
hunting, you'd better be sure itworks the way it's supposed to
before you trust your life toit.
Check it out even beforeshooting it.
(01:57):
Here's what you need to checkfor.
Before giving a fresh out of thebox gun your full confidence,
you should clean your gun beforeshooting it.
First of all, most brand newguns come packed in grease oil
and metal shavings on them fromthe factory.
(02:18):
That stuff isn't helping youshoot better.
It's just there to prevent rustwhen shipping.
Giving the entire gun a propercleaning before ever shooting
it, racking the slide back, orpulling the bolt back, the
cleaning will remove most of thegrease and metal shavings.
(02:41):
Skipping the step is a great wayto invite feeding issues such as
causing the ammunition not tofeed correctly or ejecting the
casing the way the firearmshould.
It may also cause early wear andtear on the firearm.
I'm not saying to go and fieldstrip the weapon, but wipe
(03:04):
everything down with a clean ragor towel, whatever you use,
check for anything that doesn'tseem right, maybe weird, and
then lubricate the entirefirearm following the
recommendations made in themanual that was given to you
with your new firearm.
(03:26):
When you first shoot thefirearm, run the ammo, you're
going to carry in that firearmthrough that firearm.
First defensive ammo.
Often has different bulletprofiles because your EDC may
shoot cheap FMJ all day longwithout any issues.
(03:47):
It may not cycle hollow pointsor soft ammo with reliability.
That can also mess with feedingissues, especially in
semi-autos.
If you carry it or hunt with it,test it.
Never assume that expensive ammowill run flawlessly because your
(04:09):
range ammo does.
You don't wanna learn about anissue when the time counts and
that the ammo you just spentmoney on doesn't feed or reject
properly.
Remember, once ammo waspurchased.
It's usually not returnable.
I know for a fact that where weget our ammo from does not take
(04:33):
returns.
Check for loose screws andfittings before you start to
clean your firearm.
Check the screws for the sitesscope mounts, even the trigger
assembly.
Sometimes they may not be fullytightened.
(04:54):
This isn't the norm, but it doeshappen more often than not.
Optics ready models and rifleswith adjustable parts is where
you see most of this.
Before hitting the range withyour new firearm, go over it
with a basic toolkit.
Make sure everything that'ssupposed to stay put does now
(05:19):
that you put at least 20 shotsthrough it.
Go over the firearm again.
In any part you see backing out,place a little blue, lock tight
on it to keep it from backingout.
Inspect your firearm for somerough machining, like for burrs,
tool markings or sharp edgesinside the slide or the bolt or
(05:42):
feed ramp.
These rough spots can causemalfunctions and they may wear
unevenly over time.
Even well-known brands let acouple of lemons slip through
from time to time.
If something feels gritty orcatches, don't ignore it.
A little polishing orgunsmithing attention upfront
(06:06):
can save you from a headachelater, especially if you're
already out in the woods ordepending on it for defense, If
the gun is running smoothly,sometimes the magazine is a
problem.
If your firearm is a semi-autowith a magazine, don't forget to
inspect that magazine.
(06:29):
What you're looking for is atilted follower, weak spring, or
even bent lips at the top of themagazine that hold the bullet
in.
Any of these issues can causeproblems with your firearm, even
if it's new outta the box.
Never use just one magazine withyour firearm.
(06:50):
You should always testify withmore in case there's an issue
with one of the magazines.
If one magazine keeps causingissues, mark it.
Keep it out of the rotation anddon't use it when you're
carrying that firearm.
You should replace that magazinewith a new one.
(07:11):
And in my opinion, never buy aused magazine because you don't
know if it's reliable or not.
Don't skip the break in periodon that new firearm.
Most guns need a few hundredrounds before they smooth out.
Tight tolerances might feelgreat in theory, but they often
(07:33):
need a little wear beforeeverything cycles properly.
Plan on at least three rangesessions before you judge it
fully.
Most people will say if the gunis jamming after 300 rounds,
then something's up.
I tell our students they shouldput at least 500 rounds through
(07:54):
any new pistol before it'stotally broken in.
Now, that's not true for everyfirearm.
Some will need more, some willneed less.
It's pretty much up to the userand how they feel the firearm is
shooting.
Don't expect every gun to beperfect right out of the box,
(08:20):
making sure sites are actuallyzeroed in.
You'd be surprised how manyrifles or pistols come from the
factory with installed sitesthat aren't even close to being
zeroed.
In fact, I purchased a ninemillimeter from a very reputable
manufacturer, and I was shootingthe firearm and I was not coming
(08:44):
close to the center of thetarget.
300 rounds later, I was shootingworse than when I started.
We put a boresight.
On the firearm and at 10 yards,the bore site and the gun sites
were off about four inches.
I called the manufacturer andexplained the situation.
I shipped the gun back to them.
(09:06):
They replaced the sight andshipped it back before I shot it
again.
I did the whole boar site thingagain, and still the sites were
off again.
I contacted the manufacturer andtheir answer to me was, that's
the way it is.
If you don't like it, sell afirearm.
It's not what I was reallyexpecting to hear, especially
(09:28):
since my EDC is a differentmodel from the same
manufacturer.
That's not really a dig to themanufacturer, but they need
better gunsmiths.
Just remember to always confirmzero yourself, assume nothing is
cited in.
(09:49):
Whether it's Insights or Red Dotthat came prem mounted, go to
the range and dial it inyourself for your preferred
distance.
There are instructors who teacha zeroing in a firearm if you're
not sure how to do it or to whatdistance to sit.
An internet that contact aninstructor near you.
(10:13):
You could also drop us a line atinfo@defensiveskillsacademy.com
and one of our instructors willhelp you, to zero it in at a and
at a good distance.
It all depends on the type ofgun pistol rifle, so they could
help you with that or we couldhelp you.
(10:35):
Get in touch with an instructorin your area just in case you're
not familiar with any.
Don't forget to also test foreject and feeding issues.
Run a function testing.
Put a snap cap in the firearm.
Pull the trigger a few times,see if the striker is hitting
(10:58):
the snap cap consistently in thesame spot.
If you have dents all over thesnap cap, there may be an issue
with your striker because thebullet is somehow shifting when
seating in the chamber.
Either way, it's an issue andthe manufacturer should be
(11:19):
contacted.
However, before you do that,take a video of the problem.
Start by using a snap cap.
That has no markings on it.
Placing it in the firearm,pulling the trigger, racking the
gun.
Do this a few times to show the,in the video where the, the
(11:42):
striker fire is hitting it.
Also, videotape yourselfremoving the snap cap and again,
showing the striker landings onthe back of that snap cap.
That is the best way to provesomething is wrong.
You can do the same thing withan empty casing if the firearm
is not ejecting the casingproperly.
(12:04):
By running several differentmagazines through your firearm,
paying attention to how itbehaves is also important.
If anything looks or feels off,try to fix the issue now.
Don't bet your life that it willfix itself.
Try it in different conditionsbecause you never know when you
(12:27):
may need to use your firearm.
You should run rounds throughyour firearm in different
conditions and not just on sunnydays.
Go to the range when it'sraining, snowing, and cold
outside.
Not only will you see how thegun reacts in different
conditions.
(12:48):
But you'll also see how youreact.
Remember the colder, the wetteryou are, the slower your
reaction time is.
Running a clean gun at the rangeon a sunny day is one thing.
It's another thing to see if itworks with gloves on in the cold
or when it's a little dirty.
(13:09):
Your EDC or rifle should workoutside of perfect conditions.
When shooting.
Try different positions likeprone kneeling from cover, from
a bench or from quick draw.
Load it with sweaty dirty hands,or after crawling around in the
(13:32):
dirt, you'll learn really quickhow trustworthy your EDC really
is.
Don't assume brand equalsreadiness.
Because it's a Glock, a Sig,Smith and Wesson, or a high-end
ar doesn't mean it's ready forserious use.
(13:53):
Mistakes happen at every level.
We're all human.
Even the best brand ship, theoccasional dud or mismatched
parts trusting your firearmcomes from testing, not from a
name label or a logo on a slide.
Proper training and use.
(14:14):
That's what will buildconfidence in yourself and trust
in your firearm.
Thank you for joining today'sdiscussion on what to do with
that new firearm.
Please note that this contentshared in this podcast is
intended for informationalpurposes only, and should not
(14:36):
replace professional advice orguidance from qualified experts.
Always consult an appropriatecertified instructor for more
information and training.
Remember, stay safe, stayinformed, and thank you for
listening.
Defensive Skills Academypodcast, where we dive into
firearm, second Amendment,information security, and more.
I'm Joe, your host, and eachweek we will cover a new topic
for your information and leadingto your personal protection.
Today we're talking about whatto do with that new firearm, so
(00:51):
stay tuned.
Don't forget.
You could listen to us onpodbean.com, Spotify iHeartRadio
YouTube podcast and buy me acoffee.com.
This episode is brought to youby Dynamic Tactic Firearms for
all your transfer needs, checkout Dynamic Tactic Firearms,
(01:13):
your friendly FFL dealer, Whatto do with that new firearm, or
do you trust it right out of thebox.
A lot of folks assume a brandnew gun is ready to roll.
The second it leaves the case.
However, because it's newdoesn't mean it's ready for use
(01:34):
right out of the box parts andmanufacturers aren't perfect.
If you are lying on a firearmfor defense, competition, or
hunting, you'd better be sure itworks the way it's supposed to
before you trust your life toit.
Check it out even beforeshooting it.
(01:57):
Here's what you need to checkfor.
Before giving a fresh out of thebox gun your full confidence,
you should clean your gun beforeshooting it.
First of all, most brand newguns come packed in grease oil
and metal shavings on them fromthe factory.
(02:18):
That stuff isn't helping youshoot better.
It's just there to prevent rustwhen shipping.
Giving the entire gun a propercleaning before ever shooting
it, racking the slide back, orpulling the bolt back, the
cleaning will remove most of thegrease and metal shavings.
(02:41):
Skipping the step is a great wayto invite feeding issues such as
causing the ammunition not tofeed correctly or ejecting the
casing the way the firearmshould.
It may also cause early wear andtear on the firearm.
I'm not saying to go and fieldstrip the weapon, but wipe
(03:04):
everything down with a clean ragor towel, whatever you use,
check for anything that doesn'tseem right, maybe weird, and
then lubricate the entirefirearm following the
recommendations made in themanual that was given to you
with your new firearm.
(03:26):
When you first shoot thefirearm, run the ammo, you're
going to carry in that firearmthrough that firearm.
First defensive ammo.
Often has different bulletprofiles because your EDC may
shoot cheap FMJ all day longwithout any issues.
(03:47):
It may not cycle hollow pointsor soft ammo with reliability.
That can also mess with feedingissues, especially in
semi-autos.
If you carry it or hunt with it,test it.
Never assume that expensive ammowill run flawlessly because your
(04:09):
range ammo does.
You don't wanna learn about anissue when the time counts and
that the ammo you just spentmoney on doesn't feed or reject
properly.
Remember, once ammo waspurchased.
It's usually not returnable.
I know for a fact that where weget our ammo from does not take
(04:33):
returns.
Check for loose screws andfittings before you start to
clean your firearm.
Check the screws for the sitesscope mounts, even the trigger
assembly.
Sometimes they may not be fullytightened.
(04:54):
This isn't the norm, but it doeshappen more often than not.
Optics ready models and rifleswith adjustable parts is where
you see most of this.
Before hitting the range withyour new firearm, go over it
with a basic toolkit.
Make sure everything that'ssupposed to stay put does now
(05:19):
that you put at least 20 shotsthrough it.
Go over the firearm again.
In any part you see backing out,place a little blue, lock tight
on it to keep it from backingout.
Inspect your firearm for somerough machining, like for burrs,
tool markings or sharp edgesinside the slide or the bolt or
(05:42):
feed ramp.
These rough spots can causemalfunctions and they may wear
unevenly over time.
Even well-known brands let acouple of lemons slip through
from time to time.
If something feels gritty orcatches, don't ignore it.
A little polishing orgunsmithing attention upfront
(06:06):
can save you from a headachelater, especially if you're
already out in the woods ordepending on it for defense, If
the gun is running smoothly,sometimes the magazine is a
problem.
If your firearm is a semi-autowith a magazine, don't forget to
inspect that magazine.
(06:29):
What you're looking for is atilted follower, weak spring, or
even bent lips at the top of themagazine that hold the bullet
in.
Any of these issues can causeproblems with your firearm, even
if it's new outta the box.
Never use just one magazine withyour firearm.
(06:50):
You should always testify withmore in case there's an issue
with one of the magazines.
If one magazine keeps causingissues, mark it.
Keep it out of the rotation anddon't use it when you're
carrying that firearm.
You should replace that magazinewith a new one.
(07:11):
And in my opinion, never buy aused magazine because you don't
know if it's reliable or not.
Don't skip the break in periodon that new firearm.
Most guns need a few hundredrounds before they smooth out.
Tight tolerances might feelgreat in theory, but they often
(07:33):
need a little wear beforeeverything cycles properly.
Plan on at least three rangesessions before you judge it
fully.
Most people will say if the gunis jamming after 300 rounds,
then something's up.
I tell our students they shouldput at least 500 rounds through
(07:54):
any new pistol before it'stotally broken in.
Now, that's not true for everyfirearm.
Some will need more, some willneed less.
It's pretty much up to the userand how they feel the firearm is
shooting.
Don't expect every gun to beperfect right out of the box,
(08:20):
making sure sites are actuallyzeroed in.
You'd be surprised how manyrifles or pistols come from the
factory with installed sitesthat aren't even close to being
zeroed.
In fact, I purchased a ninemillimeter from a very reputable
manufacturer, and I was shootingthe firearm and I was not coming
(08:44):
close to the center of thetarget.
300 rounds later, I was shootingworse than when I started.
We put a boresight.
On the firearm and at 10 yards,the bore site and the gun sites
were off about four inches.
I called the manufacturer andexplained the situation.
I shipped the gun back to them.
(09:06):
They replaced the sight andshipped it back before I shot it
again.
I did the whole boar site thingagain, and still the sites were
off again.
I contacted the manufacturer andtheir answer to me was, that's
the way it is.
If you don't like it, sell afirearm.
It's not what I was reallyexpecting to hear, especially
(09:28):
since my EDC is a differentmodel from the same
manufacturer.
That's not really a dig to themanufacturer, but they need
better gunsmiths.
Just remember to always confirmzero yourself, assume nothing is
cited in.
(09:49):
Whether it's Insights or Red Dotthat came prem mounted, go to
the range and dial it inyourself for your preferred
distance.
There are instructors who teacha zeroing in a firearm if you're
not sure how to do it or to whatdistance to sit.
An internet that contact aninstructor near you.
(10:13):
You could also drop us a line atinfo@defensiveskillsacademy.com
and one of our instructors willhelp you, to zero it in at a and
at a good distance.
It all depends on the type ofgun pistol rifle, so they could
help you with that or we couldhelp you.
(10:35):
Get in touch with an instructorin your area just in case you're
not familiar with any.
Don't forget to also test foreject and feeding issues.
Run a function testing.
Put a snap cap in the firearm.
Pull the trigger a few times,see if the striker is hitting
(10:58):
the snap cap consistently in thesame spot.
If you have dents all over thesnap cap, there may be an issue
with your striker because thebullet is somehow shifting when
seating in the chamber.
Either way, it's an issue andthe manufacturer should be
(11:19):
contacted.
However, before you do that,take a video of the problem.
Start by using a snap cap.
That has no markings on it.
Placing it in the firearm,pulling the trigger, racking the
gun.
Do this a few times to show the,in the video where the, the
(11:42):
striker fire is hitting it.
Also, videotape yourselfremoving the snap cap and again,
showing the striker landings onthe back of that snap cap.
That is the best way to provesomething is wrong.
You can do the same thing withan empty casing if the firearm
is not ejecting the casingproperly.
(12:04):
By running several differentmagazines through your firearm,
paying attention to how itbehaves is also important.
If anything looks or feels off,try to fix the issue now.
Don't bet your life that it willfix itself.
Try it in different conditionsbecause you never know when you
(12:27):
may need to use your firearm.
You should run rounds throughyour firearm in different
conditions and not just on sunnydays.
Go to the range when it'sraining, snowing, and cold
outside.
Not only will you see how thegun reacts in different
conditions.
(12:48):
But you'll also see how youreact.
Remember the colder, the wetteryou are, the slower your
reaction time is.
Running a clean gun at the rangeon a sunny day is one thing.
It's another thing to see if itworks with gloves on in the cold
or when it's a little dirty.
(13:09):
Your EDC or rifle should workoutside of perfect conditions.
When shooting.
Try different positions likeprone kneeling from cover, from
a bench or from quick draw.
Load it with sweaty dirty hands,or after crawling around in the
(13:32):
dirt, you'll learn really quickhow trustworthy your EDC really
is.
Don't assume brand equalsreadiness.
Because it's a Glock, a Sig,Smith and Wesson, or a high-end
ar doesn't mean it's ready forserious use.
(13:53):
Mistakes happen at every level.
We're all human.
Even the best brand ship, theoccasional dud or mismatched
parts trusting your firearmcomes from testing, not from a
name label or a logo on a slide.
Proper training and use.
(14:14):
That's what will buildconfidence in yourself and trust
in your firearm.
Thank you for joining today'sdiscussion on what to do with
that new firearm.
Please note that this contentshared in this podcast is
intended for informationalpurposes only, and should not
(14:36):
replace professional advice orguidance from qualified experts.
Always consult an appropriatecertified instructor for more
information and training.
Remember, stay safe, stayinformed, and thank you for
listening.
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