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There is a lot more to armed personal defense than simply choosing the right gun. In fact, even after a suitable firearm has been procured, there are a few preparatory steps that should be undertaken to ensure the gun is ready for everyday carry (EDC). American Rifleman’s Joe Kurtenbach recommends that new guns should receive a thorough inspection and cleaning before ever hitting the range, and should be subjected to a good reliability test and break-in consisting of several types of ammunition, including the user’s intended carry load. Follow along as Kurtenbach describes his pre-carry checklist and preps a Smith & Wesson Performance Center Shield in 9 mm for service.
![Aero Precision[72]](/media/21vfqbw0/aero-precision-72.jpg?anchor=center&mode=crop&width=770&height=430&rnd=134334197362730000&quality=60)
![Aero Precision[72]](/media/21vfqbw0/aero-precision-72.jpg?anchor=center&mode=crop&width=150&height=150&rnd=134334197362730000&quality=60)
