September 02, 2026
Stop Believing These Gun Myths
Photo: Every caliber has a story, but the myths around them don't always hold up.
Every gun community has its folklore, stuff repeated so often at the range or in movies that everyone just assumes it's true.
Some of it started as good advice that got twisted over the years. Other bits were pure Hollywood invention that stuck around way longer than they should have.
I've heard most of these myself, more than once, from folks who swore they were fact. Today we're setting the record straight on three of the most persistent gun myths out there. Let's clear the air.
Myth: Bigger Caliber Always Means More Stopping Power
Walk into any gun shop debate and someone will swear a .45 ACP drops a threat faster than a 9mm, no contest.
The truth is messier. Modern hollow-point ammo has closed the performance gap between calibers so much that shot placement matters far more than bullet diameter.
FBI testing and decades of duty-ammo data back this up. A well-placed 9mm beats a poorly placed .45 every time.
Myth: Racking a Shotgun Will Scare Off Any Intruder
Movies love that pump-action sound as the universal signal to freeze. It's dramatic, but it's bad advice.
Racking a shotgun on purpose wastes a chambered round, gives away your exact location in the dark, and tells an intruder you're now working with one less shot ready to go.
If you keep a shotgun for defense, keep it loaded and chambered already. Skip the sound effect.
Myth: AR Stands for Assault Rifle
This one's everywhere, and it's just wrong. AR stands for ArmaLite Rifle, named after the company that designed it in the 1950s, not the way it's used.
The civilian AR-15 is semi-automatic, one trigger pull, one round, same as plenty of hunting rifles.
Assault rifle is a specific military term for select-fire weapons capable of automatic fire, a different category entirely.
Which one had you fooled? Hit reply and let us know.
Until next time, stay locked and loaded.
- Randy, Locked N Loaded
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