Basic Operation of Small Arms Flashcards
Types of Firing (5)
Single Action Double Action Semi-Automatic Automatic Selective Fire
Trigger Bar
A connecting bar operating between the trigger and the sear. Nothing more than an extension of the trigger.
Trigger
A finger actuated lever used to activate the firing mechanism firing the weapon.
Stock
The part or parts attached to the receiver of a weapon that makes it possible for the firer to hold aim and fire.
Sear
A component retained under spring tension that releases , by means of a trigger, either a firing pins, hammer, or bolt.
Safety
A mechanism incorporated into the action of a weapon that by mechanical or manual manipulation prevents the weapon from being fired.
Rifling
A series of spiral grooves in the bore of a barrel which imparts a spinning motion in the bullet as it travels the length of the barrel from breech to muzzle.
Recoil Spring Guide
A guide rod surrounded by the recoil spring that keeps the spring from buckling and twisting while it is being compressed by the movement of the recoiling parts. In some weapons the guide may be a hollow tube with the recoiling spring riding inside.
Recoil Spring
A spring that is compressed by the action of certain recoiling parts, upon expansion forces these parts forward to close and lock the action. Often called Operating Spring.
Recoil Mechanism
Parts designed to absorb the energy of recoil gradually to avoid violent movement of the weapon during firing.
Recoil
The rearward movement of a weapon caused by the expansion of powder gases which act to thrust the projectile forward in the barrel and react to move the weapon rearward.
Rate of Fire
The number of rounds a given weapon can fire in one minute, normally given in rounds per minute. RPM
Sustained Rate of Fire is the Gunner’s
Normal rate of fire
Rapid Rate of Fire is the Gunner’s
Rate of fire when trying to gain fire superiority.
Cyclic Rate of Fire is the Gunnner’s
rate of fire during combat emergencies; the maximum number of rounds an automatic weapon can fire in one minute.
Primer
The small charge that s detonated by the firing pin, which in turn ignites the powder or propelling the charge in the cartridge.
Residual Pressure
The pressure remaining in the chamber after the bullet has left the muzzle.
Chamber Pressure
The pressure generated in the chamber when the cartridge is fired.
Pressure
The thrust of powder gases expanding in the barrel recorded on pounds per square inch (PSI).
Pitch
The angle at which the rifling is cut in relation to the axis of the bore. It is expressed as the length of the bore required for one complete turn or spiral.
Ex.- one turn in 7 inches
Operating Rod
In gas operating weapons, the rod which connects the gas piston to the other components. When the rod is moved by force of gas against the face of the piston it causes the action to unlock and open.
Operating Handle
A handle or projection attached to the operating rod, slide, or bolt that can be grasped to manually open or close the action.
Neck
The forward portion of the bottleneck cartridge case that is smaller in diameter than the body of the case.
Muzzle Velocity
The computed velocity in feet per second, (FPS) at which the bullet leaves the barrel
Muzzle Flash
The incandescent flash in the air at the muzzle of the weapon which occurs when the bullet leaves the barrel. This flash is caused by the expansion of the emerging powder gases, ignition of oxygen in the air and expulsion of burning powder grains.
Muzzle Brake
A device at the muzzle end of the weapon which deflects the emerging powder gases. The energy imparted by this deflection pulls the weapon forward to offset some of the rearward motion of recoil.
Misfire
Failure of the primer to function after it has been struck by the firing pin.
Mechanical Safety
An arrangement of components within the action which prevents the weapon form being fired until the action is fully closed and locked.
Magazine Catch/Release
A component designed to engage the magazine, after the magazine has been inserted into the weapon to prevent it form falling out. Usually spring loaded, the catch/release must be pressed manually in order to disengage the magazine from the weapon when removing.
Magazine
The operating assembly in which ammunition is stored. and feeds ammunition one round at a time into position so that closing of the action causes the top round to be fed into the chamber.