5 Easy Steps to Load and Reload a Pistol

A person is holding an automatic gun in their hand.

5 Easy Steps to Load and Reload a Pistol – NRA Women.com Load your semi-automatic with ease and confidence by following these five steps. Pistols are semi-automatic, magazine-fed handguns. To load a pistol, you must first load the firearm’s detachable magazine. The type of magazine that is used in your pistol is either a single…

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A Brief History of Firearms

A close up of the back end of an antique gun.

A Brief History of Firearms – NRA Women.com Here are the six major developments in firearm technology that led to the guns you know today. We live in an age when researching our past is common. Many companies offer DNA tests so individuals can trace their ancestry. Our cable networks and streaming services have numerous…

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Let’s Do the Twist!

A picture of the inside of an object.

Let’s Do the Twist! – NRA Women.com Here’s what that “1:10” means in the gun reviews you read … and why it matters. Rifling is more than just grooves in a barrel. Barrel rifling was first introduced in 1498 by August Kotter, an armorer in Germany. Kotter applied the concept of putting a spin on…

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NRA Gun Safety Training Brings Families Together

A person sitting on the ground holding a rifle.

NRA Gun Safety Training Brings Families Together – NRA Family.org Recognized the world over, NRA training offers a safe, supportive entry to your family’s favorite new hobby. I have been teaching firearms training courses for many years and educated many, many thousands in firearms safety and proper handling and use. I am very lucky–my vocation is my avocation!…

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The Different Types of Firearm Safeties

A close up of the trigger on an automatic rifle.

The Different Types of Firearm Safeties – NRA Women.com Familiarize yourself with these common safety types so you’re prepared to properly handle a variety of firearms, including your own. Firearm safeties are designed to prevent a gun from an accidental discharge. Safeties come in a variety of types and shapes, and each is engaged and…

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How to Choose the Right Holster Type For You

A woman 's hand is holding a gun in her pocket.

How to Choose the Right Holster Type For You – NRA Women.com Deciding on the right gun and holster type go hand-in-hand. One of the most common questions I am asked as a firearms instructor is, “What gun would you recommend for self-defense?” As all instructors should, I go through the pros and cons of…

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Rimfire Roster: Smallest Calibers, By the Numbers

A pile of brass bullets sitting on top of each other.

Rimfire Roster: Smallest Calibers, By the Numbers – NRA Women.com What’s the difference between all those kinds of .22 ammo? Some critical facts … and some history you didn’t know! When most people think of rimfire ammunition, they think of the most common cartridge in the world–the .22 LR. There are two types of cartridges:…

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Maybe You Can’t Hit Your Target Because—You Just Cant! 

A woman is holding a rifle and aiming it.

Maybe You Can’t Hit Your Target Because—You Just Cant! – NRA Women.com It’s possible that you’re canting the firearm, or holding it at an angle. When teaching a new shooter, I often see inconsistent shot placement. At first glance, everything looks right. The shooter is following all the fundamentals but he or she cannot hit where they are…

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The Lost Art of Gun Cleaning

A group of people sitting around a table.

The Lost Art of Gun Cleaning – NRA Women.com Avoid misinformation and risky shortcuts! Here are our step-by-step instructions. The first step to maintaining a properly functioning firearm is proper cleaning of the gun. The word “proper” is the key here! As an NRA Firearms Training Counselor, I’ve heard some misinformation about the importance of and…

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