If you are one of the mentors helping millions of first-time firearm owners learn about firearms and ammunition, or one of those new to gun ownership, here are some facts every gun owner should know when making choices in ammunition.

How do you know what to buy?

When buying ammo, the first step is to look at your firearm. Modern firearms have the make, model, caliber, and serial number stamped on them.

When buying ammo, you want to start with the caliber, which is based on the diameter of the firearm’s barrel. You can only use the ammo your gun is designed to take. This is not a place to make a guess or make assumptions. So if you are not sure, ask for help from someone qualified.

Why does knowing the caliber matter? 

Knowing what caliber your firearm is matters because it determines the ammo you use. There can be small differences in the way the caliber is stamped – for example, 9mm can be stamped as 9mm Luger, 9×19…these are the same thing. However, in other calibers (like 38 Special)  there can be different listings that look similar, such as +P ammo, which means more power. If your firearm is not designed for +P ammo, you CANNOT shoot +P through it.