Did you know that 44% of Americans have a gun in their household, with 32% of Americans personally owning a gun? The thing is, whether you use it for hunting, for sport, or for work, owning—and shooting—a gun can get surprisingly expensive.
And a lot of it comes down to gun accessories.
While you may not be able to cut down on the costs of purchasing a firearm, you can save money at the margins (trust us, it adds up over time). Here are a few ideas to help you save money on gun accessories.
Consider All the Costs of Owning a Gun
First, much like owning a house, you have to consider all the costs of gun ownership. Here’s a hint: it costs way more than just the firearm purchase and the state permit.
Unfortunately, many new gun owners burn most of their initial gun budget on the firearm itself. That’s a huge (and costly) mistake. If you have $1,000 to spend on a gun, no more than half of it should go toward the gun. The rest should go toward all the other gun essentials, such as:
- Cleaning kits
- Ammunition
- Permit
- Spare magazine
- Eye protection
- Ear protection
- Safe gun lockup
It’s also a good idea to budget for things like gun safety training. This will give you a chance to get familiar with your weapon.
What Gun Accessories Do You Need?
Next, think about the gun accessories you actually need. Yes, there are a lot of cool gun accessories out there, but at the end of the day, if you’re looking to save money, you should only purchase what you need.
This pares down to the essentials in the bulleted list above. If you already have a gun (and thus already own the basics like a permit, safety gear, a gun safe, and so on) then all you really need is the gun, a spare magazine, and ammunition. Note that we did not list a shooting range membership—these can get pricey, and if you have safe, free land to shoot on (keyword here is safe) it’s a good idea to shoot for free.
Research the Cost Before Buying Gun Accessories—And Look for Deals
Once you know what you need, you can research the cost before buying. This gives you a chance to hone in on what you actually need and shop for deals.
For example, gun calibers are not created equal. You should only ever purchase the caliber you intend to shoot with. However, as long as the caliber is the right fit, there’s no difference in the ammunition, and you should always look for deals. Walmart is the cheapest, but you can find a lot of deals at gun shows, and there are always sales around major holidays.
Don’t be afraid of refurbished accessories, either. A refurbished gun scope, for example, can go for way cheaper than a new one. As long as the gear is in good condition, there’s no reason to spend extra. Learn more about buying refurbished gun scopes, and do your homework on where to buy refurbished accessories.
Need More Tips for Saving Money on Gun Accessories?
Once you do your homework, saving money on gun accessories is pretty straightforward. And if you’re looking for more great tips to save money and have fun shooting, make sure to check out our blog for more great posts like this one.
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