5 Mistakes New Gun Owners Make | Palmetto State Armory

Published on April 2, 2026
Duration: 4:35

This guide outlines five common mistakes new gun owners make, focusing on proper accessory mounting and component selection. It covers incorrect iron sight placement, optic mounting on the handguard instead of the receiver, using cheap magazines, neglecting slings, and the legal implications of vertical foregrips on AR pistols. The advice aims to improve firearm functionality, reliability, and legal compliance.

Quick Summary

New gun owners often make mistakes like mounting iron sights backward, placing optics on the handguard instead of the receiver, using unreliable cheap magazines, neglecting slings, and illegally attaching vertical foregrips to AR pistols. Proper mounting ensures reliability and legal compliance.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction & Common Mistakes
  2. 00:16Mistake 1: Iron Sight Placement
  3. 01:07Mistake 2: Optic Mounting Location
  4. 01:47Mistake 3: Cheap Magazines
  5. 02:29Mistake 4: Not Using Slings
  6. 03:11Mistake 5: Vertical Grips on Pistols (Legal Issues)
  7. 03:51Conclusion & Call to Action

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the correct way to mount iron sights on an AR-15?

Iron sights should be mounted to fold towards the front of the firearm. The rear sight should be placed on the last Picatinny slot, positioned near the charging handle, to maximize rail space and protect the sight from impact.

Where should optics like red dots be mounted on an AR-15?

Optics should always be mounted directly onto the upper receiver's Picatinny rail, not the handguard. The receiver offers a more stable platform for holding zero compared to the handguard.

Why are cheap magazines a problem for new gun owners?

Cheap magazines are a common point of failure, leading to feeding issues and malfunctions. These problems are often mistakenly attributed to the firearm itself, when the magazine is the actual culprit.

Are vertical foregrips legal on AR pistols?

Generally, vertical foregrips are not legal on AR pistols unless the firearm is registered as a Short-Barreled Rifle (SBR) with an ATF tax stamp. Always check federal, state, and local laws before attaching one.

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