Getting Started: How Guns and Ammunition Work

Whether you're a new handgun owner or looking to enhance your knowledge, our guide to basic handgun terminology will help you get smarter.

Get a breakdown of the most popular types of handgun ammunition, along with their most common applications.

If you have recently purchased an AR-15 or other rifle to add to your collection, you may not know what type of ammunition you can use.  .223 seems to be the most common ammo for an AR, but you may have also heard that 5.56 may be used as well.  How reliable is that information?

Even if you've been shooting your whole life, there may be some gun-related terms that you're not quite sure about. To help you understand some of the most mixed-up gun terms, we put together a guide to help you become a more informed gun owner.

When you begin your quest for the perfect handgun, there are so many choices that it can be overwhelming! Where do you begin? Start with this helpful information about each type of gun to make your decision less complicated.

Do you know the differences between single action and double action firearms? It's important to know the difference, and we've got the answer!

What are shotgun choke tubes and how do you choose the right one? We've got your answers in our GunGoddess Guide to Shotgun Chokes

Video: Assault Rifle vs Sporting Rifle

Video Animation: How an AR-15 Works (Part 2 - Function)

Video Animation: How a semi-auto handgun (with hammer, eg. a 1911) works

Video Animation: How an AR-15 works (Part 1 - Components)

Video Animation: How a semi-auto handgun (striker fired) works