Topic 3: 3.3 Nomenclature Of A Rifle (Automatic Type)

Question 1

is a type of firearm that can fire continuously as long as the trigger is held down (fully automatic mode) or in some cases can be switched between semi-automatic (one shot per trigger pull) and fully automatic modes. Understanding the parts and their functions is crucial for both using and maintaining an automatic rifle.

Answer 1

Automatic Rifle

Question 2

is the main body of the rifle, housing the essential components of the firearm such as the trigger mechanism, bolt carrier group, barrel, and gas system. It serves as the central unit of the rifle to which other parts are attached. In many automatic rifles, the receiver is divided into two parts: the upper receiver and lower receiver

Answer 2

1. Receiver

Question 3

guides the bullet from the chamber to the muzzle when the weapon is fired. The inside of the barrel is rifled (spiral grooves), which imparts spin to the bullet for stabilization and increased accuracy. The barrel also plays a role in dissipating heat generated by firing.

Answer 3

2. Barrel

Question 4

such as a flash suppressor, compensator, or muzzle brake, is located at the end of the barrel. It reduces the flash visible when the weapon is fired, compensates for recoil, or directs gases to reduce muzzle rise during automatic fire.

Answer 4

3. Muzzle Device.

Question 5

The gas block directs the gas from the fired cartridge into the gas tube, which leads to the action of the rifle. This gas is used to cycle the mechanism of the rifle (either through direct impingement or a piston-driven system) by driving the bolt carrier group backward.

Answer 5

4. Gas Block and Gas Tube.

Question 6

The bolt carrier group is responsible for chambering, firing, and extracting rounds. It includes several key components:

Answer 6

5. Bolt Carrier Group (BCG).

Question 7

The part that locks into the chamber to securely hold the cartridge before firing.

Answer 7

i. Bolt:

Question 8

Strikes the primer of the cartridge to ignite the powder and fire the bullet.

Answer 8

Firing Pin:

Question 9

Pulls the spent cartridge casing out of the chamber after firing.

Answer 9

iii. Extractor:

Question 10

Ejects the spent cartridge casing out of the rifle after extraction.

Answer 10

iv. Ejector:

Question 11

Houses the bolt and allows it to move back and forth inside the receiver.

Answer 11

Carrier:

Question 12

The charging handle is used to manually cycle the bolt carrier group, chambering a round from the magazine into the chamber. It is also used to clear jams or malfunctions.

Answer 12

6. Charging Handle.

Question 13

The trigger is the part of the rifle that is pulled to initiate the firing process. In an automatic rifle, the trigger mechanism includes a selector switch to select between safe, semi-automatic, or fully automatic modes.

Answer 13

7. Trigger Mechanism.

Question 14

The selector switch controls the firing mode of the rifle. In automatic rifles, the selector usually has multiple positions:

Answer 14

8. Selector Switch.

Question 15

Prevents the rifle from firing.

Answer 15

i. Safe:

Question 16

Fires one round per trigger pull.

Answer 16

ii. Semi-automatic:

Question 17

Fires continuously as long as the trigger is held down (in some rifles, this may be burst mode instead of full auto).

Answer 17

iii. Fully automatic:

Question 18

holds the ammunition and feeds it into the rifle’s chamber as the action cycles. In automatic rifles, the magazine is typically detachable and can hold a variety of rounds, with capacities ranging from 20 to 30 rounds, and sometimes higher.

Answer 18

9. Magazine.

Question 19

allows the shooter to hold and control the rifle. It provides a secure and ergonomic hand position for firing the rifle.

Answer 19

10. Pistol Grip.

Question 20

provides a resting point for the rifle against the shooter’s shoulder, helping stabilize the rifle and reduce recoil. Stocks on automatic rifles can be fixed, collapsible, or folding, allowing for adjustments in length of pull and storage.

Answer 20

11. Stock.

Question 21

are used to aim the rifle. There are typically two types: i. Iron sights, ii. Optical sights

Answer 21

12. Sights.

Question 22

Fixed or adjustable front and rear sights.

Answer 22

i. Iron sights:

Question 23

Scopes or red-dot sights that help with target acquisition and aiming at longer distances.

Answer 23

ii. Optical sights:

Question 24

The recoil spring and buffer system help absorb the recoil energy from the fired round and return the bolt carrier group to its forward position to chamber the next round. This is a key part of the cycling process in automatic rifles.

Answer 24

13. Recoil Spring and Buffer System.

Question 25

allows the shooter to manually force the bolt carrier group into battery if it has not properly locked after chambering a round. This can be useful in case of malfunctions or if the rifle fails to fully close on a round.

Answer 25

14. Forward Assist.