3 Best Upgrades for Your Gun – Prepper Edition
Salty’s Note: this guest article was written for 3BY by Josh.
What are the best upgrades for your gun? You’ve probably asked this question several times before stumbling upon this article. Thankfully, we have the answers to your questions right here.
Knowing which upgrades are important for your gun is key. You want to upgrade it to ensure that it performs better than ever. Some of the parts that come with the gun are often subpar in quality and overall performance, which puts you at a disadvantage in most applications (like hunting, competition shooting, and even self-defense).
Especially when the Stuff Hits The Fan (SHTF), you’ll need a gun that will be able to ensure your survival when used properly and has the upgraded parts.
Must-Haves For Preppers
Aside from your EDC items, it is important to have some things ready for your “bug out bag” in the event of a crisis or disaster. Believe it or not, opportunities for dangerous situations are just about everywhere. It’s only a matter of where they will happen and when.
We don’t say this to scare you. We say this to ensure that you are one step ahead at every turn. To increase your chances of survival after a natural disaster or in any situation where survival is paramount, we’ll talk about items like self-defense weapons, first aid supplies, and water purification tablets. We’ll discuss why these are important to have when you bug out or, in some situations, bug-in.
Self Defense Guns
One major key to survival is knowing how to defend yourself in a survival situation. Here in the United States, our Constitution guarantees us the right to bear arms. However, in some states, this right is often curbed by strict gun laws that disallow some accessories or even particular types of firearms. However, your life is important. You must be prepared to defend yourself from any dangers that may threaten your life and the lives of your loved ones. Let’s dive into the firearms you should have in a survival situation, why these are important, and the upsides and downsides of each:
Rifle
While we recommend a rifle for the purpose of self-defense, it should also be used for the purpose of hunting wild game. At some point, you’ll want to rely on the meat from a deer or elk as a source of sustenance. A reliable rifle has to be accurate and allow you to hit your target or threats from long range.
Pros:
- Can be versatile in its use. Suitable for self-defense and hunting.
- Able to hit your targets at long range.
- Some rifles are easy to carry on your back.
Cons:
- Some rifles that can hit longer ranges (500+ yards or more) can be expensive.
- They’re often the target of gun control advocates, so availability may be limited depending on your jurisdiction.
Shotgun
There are several types of shotguns available for self-defense purposes. Nothing can beat the stopping power of a good old fashioned shotgun. And nothing can intimidate an attacker more than the sound of a racking shotgun. That is your way of saying get out of the way or be ready for a fight. Like a rifle, a good reliable shotgun can also be used for the purpose of hunting. However, you may or may not have enough ammo reserved for when you need it most.
One of the important aspects to consider while looking for a shotgun is finding the type of ammo that you want to use. For example, bird shots are typically used for the purpose of hunting for waterfowl or partridge. With buckshot, the name is self-explanatory. A slug shotgun shell is at its most powerful. It is important to choose wisely in terms of choosing the type of ammo you need.
Pros:
- Like a rifle, can be used for both self-defense and hunting purposes.
- You have a wide choice of ammo for your intended use.
- Easy to carry on your back.
Cons:
- Depending on the type of shotgun you use, you’re limited to the number of rounds you’ll use.
- The range is more limited when compared to a rifle.
- Some of the ammo will be bulky in size and therefore heavier in weight.
Pistol
There is nothing more reliable than a trusty sidearm. A good quality pistol is always a good idea to have as a self-defense weapon. Most of them are small enough to be concealed without appearing bulky or noticeable.
Some pistols are available in a wide range of capacities. At the low end, you’ll have a round limit of 6 while some will carry up to 19 rounds, perhaps more. Something to keep in mind while you are looking for a pistol for self-defense purposes is that the greater the capacity, the better off you are. This will mean less time to reload, plus it will give you more ammo to conserve.
Pros:
- A very reliable sidearm that has long been used for self-defense.
- Available in a wide range of magazine capacities.
- Most pistols are concealable.
Cons:
- Some jurisdictions have laws that may disallow carry (concealed, open, or both).
- Some pistols may have moving parts.
- May be susceptible to jamming.
First Aid Supplies
No bug out bag or survival bag is useful without the use of a good first aid kit. Wounds and injuries can happen anytime and anywhere. Knowing basic first aid and knowing how to use the contents of your first aid kit is of paramount importance. If you have no idea how it all works, we recommend taking a course offered by your local American Red Cross chapter or nearby healthcare facility.
Also, if you’re looking for a good first aid kit, there are some things that you need to look for that are considered “must-haves”. No first aid kit is useful without bandages, gauze, or other materials that are used to stop bleeding. Safety gloves and tweezers are pretty much required in every first aid kit. Other recommended items should include antiseptic cream, ointments for burns, lotion for rashes (usually as a result of being exposed to poisonous plants), and painkillers like ibuprofen. This is only a small sample of some of the recommended items that will comprise a good first aid kit.
Water Purification Tablets
In the event you must bug out, this can mean venturing out in wooded areas. This can also mean coming across bodies of water such as lakes and rivers. In its natural state, water you find out in the wilderness is not safe to drink. This is due to the likelihood of bacteria, parasites, and other organisms in the water that may be harmful to your health.
Water purification tablets will instantly kill such nuisances and will ensure that your water will be drinkable. Likewise, you may want to carry a LifeStraw with you, as it will have the ability to purify your water regardless of where you’re drinking it from. That said, it’s always important to carry the tried and true water purification tablets. Be sure to have plenty on hand in your bug out bag. Water is a necessity that you’ll need to rely on in order to stay hydrated and most importantly, alive.
Gun Upgrades To Improve Your Chances Of Survival
One of the major advantages of upgrading your gun is promoting easy operation. With easy operation comes fast timing, and in a self-defense situation, timing is everything. The time between drawing your firearm and taking a shot is a rapidly closing window that can mean the difference between life and death.
A gun that is able to function smoothly can give you a critical advantage over your enemy. With that in mind, we’re going to dive into the three most important upgrades for a rifle, a shotgun, and a pistol. We chose these three elements of each firearm as they are the most important functions for its use. Upgrade these for maximum performance and in turn, your odds for survival.
Three Best Upgrades For Your Rifle
As mentioned before, a rifle is excellent for the purposes of hunting and self-defense. As far as the rifle goes, there are three parts that we believe are vital for a rifle’s performance: the barrel, stock, and muzzle brakes. Let’s discuss in detail each of their respective functions and the advantages you will experience with each upgrade:
Barrel
The barrel is one of the most vital parts of a rifle. The longer the barrel, the better the velocity you’ll get out of every shot; a longer barrel will also ensure that your shot will be more accurate. When it comes to a rifle, accuracy at long range is without a doubt the biggest advantage you want to achieve.
Want to eradicate threats against your life at long range? It starts with a good barrel. We highly recommend that you invest in a barrel that is longer than 18 inches. If there is a ceiling in terms of barrel length, you’ll want to go no more than 24 inches. You want reliable performance, but at the same time, you also want something that is low profile and less noticeable.
Stocks
You’re probably wondering why you need a stock upgrade for a rifle. If you think a stock is just for looks, then you’re not looking at the bigger picture. While a good quality stock is used to help you support the gun (and support the parts themselves), the material that the stock is made from is absolutely key.
Stocks come in two types: wood and synthetic. There will be times when you’ll need to cross bodies of water, or you might end up knee deep in a swamp. When that happens, you want a stock that is resistant to water and moisture. That’s why we recommend a synthetic stock for your rifle. Wood will be more susceptible to water damage if exposed for a long period of time.
Muzzle Brakes
Rifles are very powerful firearms that come with a great deal of recoil. Too much recoil can cause you to lose control of your rifle, which in turn can result in your shot missing its mark. In a life or death situation, losing control of your rifle is the last thing you want.
A muzzle brake is designed to reduce the amount of recoil you experience when using your rifle, therefore giving you more control. A good muzzle brake will reduce recoil and prevent muzzle jump. When you have more control over your rifle, your shots will be more accurate and you will use your ammunition more efficiently.
Three Best Upgrades For Your Shotgun
Having a shotgun for hunting or self-defense is great; having a shotgun with a full set of upgrades is even better. For a shotgun, there are three essential components that come to mind as good candidates for an upgrade: grips, sights, and slings.
Grips
When you think of shotguns, the last thing you ever think of is grips, or for that matter, pistol-style grips. Well, shotguns with these types of grips do exist; they are designed for the purpose of giving you full control over your shotgun. While the recoil of a shotgun may not be as strong as a rifle’s, it can still cause you to lose control of your gun if you’re not handling it properly.
Some will call it a gimmick, but it’s incredibly advantageous to have optimal control over your shotgun in order for your shot to hit your target dead on. The better you can aim your gun, the better your chances of survival. As for grips, find a grip that will allow you to keep hold of your gun in situations where your hands may be wet from perspiration or wet weather conditions.
Sights
Typically, a shotgun will come with factory or stock sights that are made of iron. In survival situations, these are typically hard to spot. What you’ll need to do is find sights that are bright in color. This will give you the ability to acquire your target efficiently and line up your shot.
Sights with tritium are often the favorites among gun users because they are bright enough and are proven to be more effective when pitted against regular stock sights. These are especially ideal for users with poor eyesight. The brighter the sights, the better.
Sling
Having this upgrade is a no-brainer. Sometimes, the weight of your shotgun will be a little too heavy. At the same time, you want to keep your hands free as much as possible. To facilitate this, you’ll need to find a sling that will allow you to easily carry the shotgun on your back.
An ideal sling will be adjustable so it will fit your body size. As an added bonus, you should invest in a sling that will have additional compartments to store additional shotgun rounds. The higher the storage capacity, the better off you’ll be.
Three Best Upgrades For Your Pistol
Lastly, we’ll be looking at upgrades that you’ll need for your pistol. If you want a sidearm that will perform at its best, then you’ll need the following: lights or lasers, extended mags, and red dot or reflex sights. These are important upgrades to have and finding the right pistol to accommodate them will be vital.
Lights/Lasers
Finding a light or laser for your pistol is key, as it will give you an instant upgrade for the sights. Aim and accuracy are some of the main things you’ll need for a self-defense pistol, especially when you know where you need to shoot in order to incapacitate or kill your attacker.
A red laser or a green laser is an ideal thing to have. It’s even more effective if you’re able to see the beam in broad daylight.
Extended Mags
This may not be necessary if you own a pistol with a naturally large capacity magazine. However, if you have a pistol that only holds 6-8 rounds, you’ll need to find an extended mag to ensure that you have enough ammo to get you through a life-threatening situation.
It is recommended that you find an extended mag that is roughly double the capacity of your original pistol. For example, if your pistol has a capacity of about 6-8 rounds, you can get away with an extended magazine that will allow up to 12-16 rounds. The more ammunition you can have in the magazine at a time, the less you’ll find yourself needing to reload. And as always, you should conserve your rounds no matter what your max capacity is.
Red Dot/Reflex Sight
Like the laser or light, having a red dot or reflex sight is vital to your pistol’s optics. These are designed to increase the overall accuracy of your pistol. We cannot stress the importance of accuracy in a self-defense situation enough.
Having a good quality red dot or reflex sight will give you a much greater ability to hit your target exactly where you want to. Choose one part of the target and fire. With a red dot or reflex sight, your chances of getting a clean shot right where you want it will be dramatically improved.
Conclusion
Knowing the best upgrades for your gun is an essential aspect of gun ownership, especially if you intend on using a rifle, shotgun, or pistol in a self-defense situation. Having these upgrades will almost always be a major step up from the factory or stock settings.
While having a gun for self-defense is important, it may not save your life if you don’t have the right upgrades in place. Increase your chances of survival and gain an advantage over threats by upgrading your self-defense firearms.