Broad category Of firearm operations

Question 1

Manually Loaded definition

Answer 1

Firearms which are operated entirely by hand and without the use of the energy of the discharged round to perform any portion of the cycle of fire

Question 2

Auto Loading definition

Answer 2

A firearm in which the first round of ammunition is chambered manually upon which each subsequent round is chambered by forces generated by the detonating cartridge pushing the bolt/breechblock rearward and a spring then pushing the bolt/breechblock forward again.

Question 3

Auto loading firearms can be either be fired semiautomatic or what?

Answer 3

Automatic

Question 4

Define semiautomatic

Answer 4

Autoloading firearm which fires a single round for pull and release of the trigger

Question 5

Define automatic

Answer 5

An autoloading firearm which fires more than one round for each pull of the trigger.

Question 6

Define select fire

Answer 6

An autoloading firearm which permits either semiautomatic or automatic fire.

Question 7

Define revolver (manual loaded firearm)

Answer 7

A handgun having a revolving chambered cylinder for holding a number of cartridges, pulling the trigger or cocking the hammer aligns the chamber with the bore of the barrel to fire each round.

Question 8

Define pistol derringer (manual loaded firearm)

Answer 8

A handgun having a barrel or barrels which are loaded and unloaded manually by pivot of the barrel(s) from the frame exposing the chambers.

Question 9

Define bolt action (manual loaded firearm)

Answer 9

A firearm in which the breech closure is in line with the bore at all times, is manually reciprocated via a bolt handle to load, unload and cock the weapon, and is locked in place by breech bolt lugs and engaging abutments in the receiver.

Question 10

Define lever action (manual loaded firearms)

Answer 10

A design wherein the breech mechanism is cycled by an external lever generally below the receiver

Question 11

Define break open action/top break action

Answer 11

A firearm in which the barrel(s) are hinged to the breech (receiver) so that when the action is opened, the jointed barrel(s) swing up or down for loading and unloading

Question 12

Define pump/slide action (manual loaded firearm)

Answer 12

An action which features a moveable forearm which is manually activated in a motion parallel to the barrel by the shooter. Firearm motion is transmitted to a breech bolt assembly which performs the function of feeding, chambering, firing and extracting the ammunition.

Question 13

Define blowback:simple (auto loaded firearm)

Answer 13

A system in which there is no mechanical locking of the bolt/breechblock onto the rear of the barrel (chamber). The bolt/breechblock is held closed onto the chamber by tension of a spring.

Question 14

Define blowback-delayed: gas (Auto loaded firearm)

Answer 14

System in which gas pressure from the ignited cartridge is fed through a small port in the barrel (in front of the chamber) to delay the rearward motion of the slide. This is accomplished by means of a piston contained inside of a cylinder located under the barrel that opposed the rearward motion of the slide until the gas pressure has declined-after the bullet has left the barrel-allowing the slide to end its rearward motion, opening the breech and ejecting the empty cartridge case.

Question 15

Define recoil operated-short recoil (auto loaded firearms)

Answer 15

A system in which the barrel and breechblock (slide) are locked at the moment of firing, during the first part of their combined recoil travel 1/2 inch together until the breech end of the barrel is pulled down allowing the breechblock (slide) to travel rearward.

Question 16

Define recoil operated-long recoil (auto loaded firearm)

Answer 16

System in which the barrel and bolt l/breechblock are locked at the moment of firing, during the first part of their combined recoil travel together for the length of the cartridge case until the bolt/breechblock are mechanically separated thus allowing the bolt/breechblock to travel rearward.

Question 17

Define gas operated (auto loaded firearms)

Answer 17

System in which the propellant gases are tapped off from the barrel and are used to unlock the breech bolt and then to complete the cycle of extracting and ejecting. It is used in conjunction with a strong spring which returns the operating parts to the proper firing position.

Question 18

Define Firing Mechanisms

Answer 18

Firearms use triggers to initiate the firing of a cartridge in the chamber of the weapon. This is accomplished by actuating a striking device through a combination of spring and kinetic energy operating through a firing pin to strike and ignite the primer.

Question 19

What are the two types of firearms striking mechanisms?

Answer 19

Hammers

Strikers

Question 20

What is a hammer?

Answer 20

Spring tensioned masses of metal that pivot on a pun when released and strike a firing pin to discharge a cartridge.

Question 21

What is a striker?

Answer 21

Spring loaded firing pins that travel on an axis in line with the cartridge eliminating the need for a separate hammer.

Question 22

Define double action as it pertains to a firing mechanism

Answer 22

A mechanism in which the pull of the trigger both cocks and releases the hammer

Question 23

Define single action as it pertains to a firing mechanism

Answer 23

Mechanism in which the trigger perform a single function of releasing the hammer or striker

Question 24

Define double action only as it pertains to a firing mechanism

Answer 24

A mechanism in which a pull of the trigger both cocks and releases the hammer

Question 25

Define striker fire as it pertains to a firing mechanism

Answer 25

Spring loaded firing pins that travel on an axis in line with the cartridge eliminating the need for a separate hammer

Question 26

Define blow-back (delayed) mechanical

Answer 26

A system in which the bolt/breechblock is not locked but some mechanical delay is incorporated to ensure the breechblock cannot move with sufficient rapidity to allow the unsupported case to be extracted from the chamber while the pressure is still high.