Essential Accessories Every New Gun Owner Needs
You bought your first gun — congratulations. Now what? The firearm itself is just the starting point. The right accessories make you safer, more effective, and more prepared. Here's everything you need, organized by priority.
By Dwight Ringdahl — GunExpos.com
Priority 1: Safety and Storage
Gun Safe or Lock Box — $100–$500+
This is the single most important purchase after your firearm. Secure storage prevents unauthorized access by children, theft, and accidents.
- Quick-access handgun safe ($100–$300) — For bedside home defense. Biometric or push-button. Recommended: Vaultek VT20i, Fort Knox FTK-PB.
- Full-size gun safe ($300–$2,000+) — For growing collections. See our gun safe buying guide.
- Cable lock (often free) — Minimum security. Project ChildSafe provides free locks at projectchildsafe.org.
Eye Protection — $15–$50
Non-negotiable. ANSI Z87.1 rated shooting glasses with wrap-around design protect from flying brass, unburnt powder, and rare catastrophic failures. Clear lenses for indoor ranges, yellow or amber for low light, smoke for bright outdoor ranges. Prescription options are available from several manufacturers.
Ear Protection — $10–$300
A single gunshot can cause permanent hearing damage. Always double up (plugs plus earmuffs) for indoor shooting.
- Foam earplugs ($1–$5 per pack) — NRR 30–33dB. Cheap and effective. Always have extras in your range bag.
- Electronic earmuffs ($40–$300) — Amplify conversation while blocking gunshots. The single best upgrade for range comfort. Recommended: Walker's Razor Slim, Howard Leight Impact Sport, Peltor Sport Tactical 500.
- Passive earmuffs ($15–$30) — NRR 22–30dB. Good backup pair.
Pro tip: For indoor ranges, use foam plugs UNDER electronic muffs. The combined NRR is significantly higher than either alone and protects your hearing far better.
Priority 2: Cleaning and Maintenance — $20–$60
A dirty gun is an unreliable gun. Clean your firearm after every range session to prevent carbon buildup, copper fouling, and corrosion.
Basic kit should include: Bore brush (caliber-specific), cleaning patches, patch holder or jag, cleaning rod or bore snake, solvent (Hoppe's No. 9 or Break-Free CLP), lubricant, nylon brush for exterior surfaces, cleaning mat to protect your table and catch small parts.
Bore snakes ($10–$15) are the fastest cleaning method available. Drop the weighted end through the barrel, pull it through a few times with solvent, and you're done. Takes 2 minutes. Keep one for each caliber you own — they're the single best cleaning investment.
Lubricant options: Break-Free CLP is the military standard — cleans, lubricates, and protects in one product. Ballistol is versatile and non-toxic, working on metal, wood, and leather. Slip 2000 EWL is a premium synthetic for high-round-count shooters.
Priority 3: Ammunition
Practice Ammunition — $0.20–$0.35 per round (9mm)
Buy in bulk to save money. For 9mm, budget for at least 500 rounds to start. Full Metal Jacket (FMJ) is the standard practice round — affordable and widely available. Case pricing (500–1,000 rounds) saves 20–30% over buying individual boxes.
Best sources for practice ammo: Gun shows offer the best prices because there's no shipping cost — ammo is heavy and expensive to ship. Online retailers are the next best option; use AmmoSeek to compare prices across dozens of stores. Big box stores run periodic sales that can be competitive. See our bulk ammo buying guide for detailed strategies on stocking up.
Self-Defense Ammunition — $0.75–$1.50 per round
If your gun is for home defense or concealed carry, load it with quality hollow points that are designed to expand on impact and reduce over-penetration:
- Federal HST — The law enforcement standard. Consistent expansion in FBI testing.
- Speer Gold Dot — Bonded construction, excellent performance through barriers.
- Hornady Critical Defense / Critical Duty — Polymer-tipped for reliable expansion even through heavy clothing.
Buy at least 50 rounds to test reliability in your specific firearm — not all guns feed all hollow point profiles reliably. Keep 20–40 rounds for your loaded magazine(s). See our self-defense ammo guide for detailed recommendations by caliber.
Priority 4: Range Gear
Range Bag — $30–$80
A dedicated range bag keeps your gear organized and ready to go at a moment's notice. A good range bag should hold your firearms (unloaded, in cases), ammunition, eye and ear protection, cleaning supplies (bore snake and CLP at minimum), targets, a stapler and tape for hanging targets, a basic first aid kit, a water bottle, and a multi-tool for minor adjustments.
Targets — $5–$20 per pack
Different targets serve different training purposes:
- Paper silhouette targets — Standard for defensive shooting practice. Multiple aiming zones help develop accuracy.
- Splatter targets (Birchwood Casey Shoot-N-C) — Instant visual feedback with bright-colored impact marks. Excellent for zeroing sights.
- Steel targets — Reusable with satisfying audible feedback. Only use at appropriate distances with appropriate calibers.
Priority 5: Carry Gear (If Applicable)
Holster — $50–$100
If you'll carry your handgun, a quality holster is essential. Do not buy a $15 nylon universal holster from the bargain bin — it won't retain your gun securely, won't conceal properly, and you'll replace it within a week. Invest in a quality Kydex IWB holster from a reputable maker like Vedder, Tier 1 Concealed, or Tenicor. See our holster guide for detailed recommendations.
Gun Belt — $40–$80
A proper gun belt is stiffer than a dress belt and prevents the holster from sagging, shifting, and printing through your shirt. It's the single most overlooked piece of carry equipment. Recommended: Blue Alpha Gear hybrid belt, Nexbelt, Hanks Gunner belt. Regular fashion belts, thin leather belts, and fabric belts will not support a holstered firearm.
Concealed Carry Insurance — $11–$49/month
Legal protection in case you ever use your firearm in self-defense. The legal costs of even a justified shooting can exceed $100,000. See our CCW insurance comparison for a detailed breakdown of USCCA, CCW Safe, and US Law Shield.
Priority 6: Training — $100–$300
Professional instruction is the fastest way to build safe, competent gun handling skills. A single day of quality instruction is worth more than months of self-teaching.
- NRA Basic Pistol — Standard beginner course. 8 hours of classroom instruction plus live-fire range time.
- Concealed carry course — Required in many states for a permit. Provides a good foundation in self-defense law and marksmanship.
- Defensive handgun — For shooters ready to train beyond the basics. Covers drawing from a holster, shooting on the move, and target transitions.
Monthly Practice Budget
Consistent practice is more important than occasional marathon sessions. Budget for at least 100 rounds per month:
| Caliber | 100 rds/month | 200 rds/month |
|---|---|---|
| .22 LR | $6–$10 | $12–$20 |
| 9mm | $20–$35 | $40–$70 |
| .45 ACP | $35–$50 | $70–$100 |
| 5.56/.223 | $30–$45 | $60–$90 |
Where to Buy Accessories
- Gun shows — Try holsters with your actual gun, handle accessories before buying, buy ammo in bulk with no shipping cost. Find shows in our show directory.
- Local gun shops — Expert advice, hands-on experience, and instant gratification. Browse our dealer directory.
- Online — Widest selection and often lowest prices. Amazon for non-firearm accessories, Brownells and Midway USA for gun-specific gear.
Total Budget Summary
| Item | Budget Range |
|---|---|
| Gun safe / lock box | $100–$500 |
| Eye protection | $15–$50 |
| Ear protection | $40–$100 |
| Cleaning kit | $20–$60 |
| Practice ammo (500 rds 9mm) | $100–$150 |
| Self-defense ammo (50 rds) | $40–$75 |
| Range bag | $30–$80 |
| Holster (if carrying) | $50–$100 |
| Gun belt (if carrying) | $40–$80 |
| Training course | $100–$300 |
| Total | $535–$1,495 |
Plan to spend roughly the same amount on accessories and training as you did on the firearm itself. It's an investment in safety, competence, and long-term enjoyment of the shooting sports.