Must-Have Gear for New Gun Owners (That’s Actually Worth the Money)
Must-have gear for new gun owners that actually pays off, including ear and eye protection, holsters, safes, lights, and cleaning kits, with real price ranges and practical tips.
Introduction
Becoming a gun owner is exciting, but, as any gun owner will tell you, you quickly learn the firearm itself is only half the story. The right gear keeps you safe, confident, and shooting, while the wrong gear wastes money and creates bad habits. Below, I’ll walk through the must-have gear for new gun owners, what I actually use, why it matters, and gear in realistic price ranges so you can get set up without wasting cash. I’ll also be publishing deep dives on gear for EDC and home defense, and a separate long-gun gear article soon. Consider this your general starter guide that works for either platform.
Safety First: Must-Have Gear for New Gun Owners Starts with Hearing and Eye Protection
Before anything else, buy good hearing and eye protection, then use them every time.
Hearing Protection:
When I started shooting, I started with simple foam earplugs. They are simple, effective, and you don’t worry about keeping track of them. That being said, as a newish gun owner, I always wanted to get over-the-ear hearing protection. I thought it would make me look the part. The pair of over-the-ear protection I got were Howard Leight Impact Sport earmuffs. Let me tell you, they were fantastic. I still recommend them as a reliable starter purchase. I wore my pair every time I shot for years. They only stopped being my go tos when I accidentally broke the wiring for the electronic function. They are still used around my farm when hearing protection is needed, but not the electronic functions. Expect to spend at least $50. My current go is now the Safariland Liberator HP 2.0, which is a top-tier option. You will notice these are significantly more expensive, routinely over $300. If you shoot indoors or fire magnum calibers, double up with foam plugs under muffs. I do this religiously. Hearing does not come back, so do not skip this.
Eye Protection:
Eye protection is another must. I have used a variety of eye protection over the years. One thing you need to do is ensure your eye protection is ballistic-rated. A good choice for eye protection that won’t break the bank is Magpul’s Radius glasses. They give good coverage and are comfortable for long days at the range. Price range for decent ANSI-rated shooting glasses. Choose glasses that are ANSI Z87.1 rated and fit well with your ear pro.
Keep It Running: Cleaning and Maintenance
Reliability comes from maintenance, not miracle gear. My cleaning routine follows the same essentials I laid out in my Clean Your Pistol guide.
Build a basic kit that includes:
- Bore snake kit or rod and brush cleaning kit, kits cost more but are usually worth it.
- Quality solvent and lubricant, $8 to $25 each (Hoppes, Break Free).
- Microfiber cloth and nitrile gloves, $5 to $15.
- Cleaning mat, around $15
I recommend having both a complete cleaning kit and a bore snake for the calibers you own.
Carry and Secure Storage
Even for a new owner, a practical holster and a secure way to store your gun are essentials.
Holster
For outside-the-waistband, I use the Safariland ALS paddle holster. It is secure, repeatable, and great for range or farm carry. OWB options are forgiving for beginners, and I will cover concealed carry holsters in detail in the upcoming EDC article. Expect to pay $50 to $160 for a quality paddle or ALS-style holster.
Safe/quick access
I own two Hornady Rapid Safe Keypad Vaults and recommend them for pistols and valuables. They are quick to open, solidly made, and give peace of mind if kids are around. The price range for these small keypad vaults is $100 to $350, depending on the model and vendor. I paid around $110 for mine.
Magazines and Speed Loaders
You need at least three magazines for each of your firearms. You can get away with two if funds are tight, but I don’t recommend it. Magazines are consumable, and they will malfunction at some point. OEM magazines are worth the price; they usually range from $15 to $60 each, depending on make and capacity. Look for deals. Cheap, unreliable mags aren’t worth your time. If you want to save some cash on training/range mags, stick with quality options from Magpul, MecGar, and other reputable manufacturers. For an AR-style magazine, the Magpul PMAG is once again one of the best options.
Speed loaders are one of the best tools to make range time less stressful. The MagLULA UpLULA is a must-have for those of you who own a double-stack pistol. It saves your thumbs and speeds up loading time exponentially. You should be able to find these for under $40.
Lights and Sights
A weapon light is one of the most practical upgrades for both pistols and long guns. For long guns, I use the Streamlight ProTac Rail Mount HL-X, which balances battery life and durability, priced between $120 and $170. For a pistol, a compact rail light such as the Streamlight TLR series is a great starter choice, priced between $120 and $170.
If you plan to run an optic on your pistol, shotgun, or rifle, you need to ensure you have a quality option that won’t break right out of the gate. Avoid “airsoft” brands and go with options from quality manufacturers like Holosun, Vortex, Sig, or Primary Arms. These are not the only quality manufacturers, but they are all big players in the market. A quality red dot will run between $100 and $300.
Range Bag and Support Gear
Organizing your kit keeps range days smooth and safe.
For short trips, I use the Allen Eliminator Rangemaster Range Bag; it is compact and fast to load, priced between $40 and $80. As you delve deeper into the rabbit hole of firearms ownership, you’ll find you need a larger bag with more features. Items to pack include targets, extra batteries, a multi-tool, tape, and a rag. A well-packed bag reduces friction and makes practice more consistent.
Training and Consumables
The most valuable investments are not gadgets. Find good training or commit to training yourself with dry-fire practice and other exercises, and budget for ammo. Expect to spend some money on a few classes, steady ammo purchases, and targets. If you skimp here, fancy gear will not make you safer or more accurate.
Don’t Waste Your Money
- Cheap universal holsters that do not retain or index the pistol.
- Gimmicky laser boresighters that replace learning fundamentals.
- Overpriced accessories. Do your research and find the best bang for your buck.
- One-time-use “tactical” items that are novelty rather than useful.
- Spend instead on basic safety gear, a solid holster, a good safe, magazines, and training.
First-Time Gun Owner Checklist
| Gear | Specific Item | Cost |
| Eye Protection | ||
| Ear Protection | ||
| Cleaning Equipment | ||
| Holster | ||
| Speed Loader | ||
| Gun Safe | ||
| Light | ||
| Range bag |
Realistically, you should expect to spend several hundred dollars ensuring you have everything you need.
Last words: Must-Have Gear for New Gun Owners
Buy what keeps you safe and lets you train. I use most of the gear above on the farm and at the range. It is not just on a wish list. These must-have gear items for new gun owners keep you safe and ready to train with confidence. Your specific brands or items may change over time as you gain experience, but this is an excellent place to start.
FAQ: Must-Have Gear for New Gun Owners
What gear should new gun owners buy first?
Start with safety gear; quality hearing and eye protection are the first must-have gear for new gun owners. Add a safe, cleaning kit, and range bag as you train more.
What’s the most critical must-have gear for new gun owners at the range?
Ear and eye protection, OEM magazines, and a reliable holster or range bag are essential. These keep your sessions safe and organized.
How much should new gun owners expect to spend on essential gear?
A solid starter setup costs around $350–$600, depending on how much must-have gear for new gun owners you buy up front.
