** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
Gallery
1 of 1
Rule No. 1
ALWAYS keep the gun pointed in a safe direction.
1 of 1
Rule No. 2
ALWAYS keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
1 of 1
Rule No. 3
ALWAYS keep the gun unloaded until ready to use.
1 of 1
Grip
A good grip helps control recoil and allows for faster recovery. Grip a handgun high on the backstrap with the web of the hand and wrap the fingers around the stock.
1 of 1
Aiming
The proper way to aim is to align the front sight at the same height and centered with the back sight and pictured against the target with the eyes’ focused on the front sight.
1 of 1
Breath Control
Learn breath control by taking a deep breath and letting about half of it out before holding as you squeeze the trigger.
1 of 1
Hold Control
Keep the handgun still with a firm grip and a stable shooting position. Physical fitness and muscle tone is important for hold control.
1 of 1
Trigger Control
The secret to trigger control is squeezing the trigger slowly and smoothly in a way that the shot comes as a surprise.
1 of 1
Follow Through
Implementing all shooting fundamentals before, during and after the shot the same way every time is good follow through.
The cycle of operation is the mechanical sequence of events that it takes to fire one shot out of a firearm. If one of those steps fails to take place as designed, there is an interruption in the cycle of operation and the gun stops firing.
The Colt Model 1911 pistol and its derivatives are among the most iconic military handguns ever made. But in 2026, does the M1911 still hold up as a quality defensive arm?
CZ's 527 action was long a popular option scaled around compact cartridges like the .223 Remington and the 7.62x39 mm. Now, the new CZ 600+ Carbine brings that same concept to the company's new CZ 600 series.
In our latest "I Carry" setup, we're featuring the Smith & Wesson Model 386 Night Guard in an ANR Design holster, and we've got a Streamlight EDC flashlight to round out our kit.