Are you a firearms fanatic or a complete novice? Maybe you are a doomsday prepper or maybe you simply want the peace of mind that comes with owning a gun.

Whatever the reason is, you are interested in the best rifles to own in 2019. We’re going to take a look at what’s popular and why, as well as what can get you the most bang for your buck!

Keep reading to find out which firearms you want in your arsenal this year!

Owning a Rifle

If you are new to the gun world, you might be tempted to walk into a gun store and ask for a weapon that is accurate, great for home protection, budget and user-friendly, as well as something that won’t go through walls.

When you ask for this, you are basically asking for three different guns–a handgun, shotgun, and a rifle. If you are trying to wrap all of these qualities into one gun, your best bet will likely be a rifle. You should note though, that a rifle’s firing power does have the capability to shoot through walls, possibly harming people nearby.

If you have concerns about this, there are two main options: don’t purchase this type of gun, or take it to a shooting range and learn gun safety and how to accurately fire it. The latter of these options will give you the confidence needed to defend yourself, your home, and your family should the need ever occur.

Once you have decided to purchase a weapon, you will need to determine which rifle will best fit your needs. This will mean considering how many rounds of ammunition, the distance you plan on shooting, and of course, how much you are willing to spend.

The amount you’d like to spend will often, but not always, correlate with the quality of the weapon that you buy.

Additionally, if you are unsure of what rifles are legal in your area, consult with an attorney before choosing to purchase.

What’s New and Trending

If you are wanting to buy a rifle that has made its first appearance in 2019, you will see plenty of long-range weapons. However, there are a few noted firearms that you should consider:

300 Blackout: This particular weapon is more of a caliber choice than brand of rifle. It’s designed on an AR platform and has the ability to shoot subsonic rounds as well as standard velocity.

When using standard rounds, this caliber of rifle perfect for distance shooting, at a range, or for harvesting your family’s food. The subsonic velocity rounds allow for the gun to become more of a home defense weapon due to the round not traveling as far.

Because the 300 Blackout is a caliber of gun and not a brand, there are many companies that produce it. Daniel Defense is a popular manufacturer due to price and quality.

6.8 Special Purpose Cartridge: Also known as the 6.8 SPC, this is another type of caliber that is used on an AR platform. This round is for intermediate range use. This means that it will function both as a close-range round and at distances of up to 100 yards.

Ruger Firearms and Barrett Firearms company are popular choices among gun aficionados when choosing a manufacturer of this rifle.

Tried and True Choices

If you are looking for a more traditional rifle, there are a few other options available that are favorites in the gun community.

The 5.56 is a round of ammunition that the military is currently using in their personal M-4 rifles and their squad automatic weapons. This caliber was designed in the late 1970s based on the .223 caliber and it is still in use today.

Many civilians opt for this caliber because it is cheap to shoot, effective, and accurate for long-range. A popular model of sporting rifle that uses this caliber and is available to non-military personnel is the Colt 6920.

The .308 is often considered to be a type of round used for large game and long-range shooting competition. It has also seen its place in personal defense.

This cartridge has plenty of ‘knock-down’ power, meaning if you happen to shoot a possible intruder, it is unlikely that the person will get back up. If they do happen to survive, they will rethink their life choices and attempt to leave your property.

One of the most popular platforms for this round is the Smith and Wesson M&P 10. This popularity is due to the entry-level pricing and availability of accessories, making it perfect for hunting, general purposes, and self-defense.

The Controversial AR and ‘Scary’ AK

AR does not stand for ‘assault rifle.’

The AR in AR-15 stands for Armalite Rifle which is the company that designed this particular and popular platform. The AR-15 is NOT a type of round or caliber, but a type or style of rifle.

It was introduced in 1956 and has since evolved into what many media outlets hope you will fear today. This is worth mentioning because just about any caliber that you may want to use can be shot through an AR-15 platform.

It could be said that almost every major firearm manufacturer produces their version of the Armalite Rifle. This platform has seen a huge increase in popularity because of the number of options and price points available.  You can even build your own with an AR 15 kit. It is also known for its adaptability for long- and short-range shooting.

Like the AR-15, the AK-47 is also a TYPE of rifle. Although the original models were all fully-automatic, the weapons available to civilians are semi-automatic.

AK-47 rifles are also fully customizable and can be found in a variety of calibers. Although many people assume that this rifle is manufactured only to harm other humans, it is often used in home defense.

This weapon is also efficient when it comes to harvesting large game for food and population control of varmint and pests.

Modifications for Your Rifle

Whatever style of rifle you choose to purchase, regardless of the caliber, will likely be ‘bare bones.’ This means that you are simply purchasing the gun and not any of the fancy extras that make it more accurate, personalized, or fun to shoot.

Even if you choose to purchase a firearm with a few extra modifications, chances are, that you will want to add a few other touches to make it functional to you. Some of these popular modifications include:

  • Sights or scopes- sights are useful for acquiring your target and ensuring that your shot is spot on every time. Scopes are used to magnify your target, allowing you to shoot at long distances and increase your accuracy
  • Triggers- replacing the trigger on any rifle will allow fewer pounds of pressure to be applied before the weapon is fired. This type of modification allows for more accuracy due to reducing the amount of movement required to actually engage the weapon
  • Stock changes- with most AR platforms, you will find the weapon comes with an adjustable stock. While this is great if the firearm will be used by multiple people, it can become a hindrance to constantly adjust back to your favored position.
  • Grips- most rifles come with stock grips for general purposes. If you know you will be using your rifle for a particular application, choosing grips designed for that purpose can increase your comfort. More comfort means more accuracy
  • Forends- exchanging your stock forend can get complicated quickly, but opting for an upgrade can allow you to attach a vertical grip, flashlight, or thermal optics for night vision.

It is easy to order many of these modifications online or shop for them in your local gun store. However, you will want to purchase from a reputable dealer that will stand behind their product and work should you choose to include installation.

Typically, you will want to avoid big-box stores (and their prices.) However, ordering from a shady parts dealer is also inadvisable. One of the best-known online companies for gun parts and rifle modifications is Battle Arms Development.

When ordering through any online company, you will want to bring your rifle to a gunsmith to have the parts installed properly. Otherwise, you may end up with broken parts and an inaccurate rifle.

The Best Rifles to Own: All in Preference

You may have noticed that each of the ‘rifles’ listed are actually choices in caliber. This is because each model of rifle can have multiple calibers, which is typically the determining factor when choosing a home defense or hunting weapon.

When it comes to the best rifles to own, high-end prices don’t always mean high-end guns. This is particularly true if you are new to shooting, or have the money to invest in customizations.

Truly, you can take a ‘low-end’ rifle, add the proper modifications and end up with a more accurate weapon than what is considered top-of-the-line. It also comes down to your shooting ability and whether or not you spend time practicing.

If you want to find out more about tactical gear to go with your new rifle, take a minute to read this blog post!