Unit 5: Firearm Terminology

Question 1

Action

Answer 1

The part of a firearm that loads, fires, and ejects cartridges. It includes lever (single-shot), pump (single-shot), bolt (single shot) actions, and semi-automatic (repeater w/ out manual operation).

“Repeaters” (can shoot multiple rounds) include all of these actions.

Fully automatic actions are used in machine guns.

Question 2

Barrel

Answer 2

The metal tube through which the bullet is fired.

Question 3

Black Powder

Answer 3

The old form of gunpowder invented over 1,000 years ago and consisting of nitrate, charcoal, and sulfur.

Question 4

Bore

Answer 4

The inside of the barrel. “Smoothbore” weapons (typically shotguns) have no rifling. Most handguns and rifles have “rifling.”

Question 5

Breech

Answer 5

The end of the barrel attached to the action.

Question 6

Butt/Stock

Answer 6

The portion of the gun, which is held or shouldered.

Question 7

Bullets

Answer 7

The projectile. They are shaped or composed differently for a variety of purposes.

Question 8

“Round-Nose” Bullet

Answer 8

The end of the bullet is round.

Question 9

“Hollow-point” Bullet

Answer 9

There is a hole in the bullet that creates expansion when a target is struck, creating more damage.

Question 10

“1/2 Jacketed” Bullet

Answer 10

The soft lead is partially surrounded by another metal, usually copper, that promotes exit velocity.

Question 11

“Jacketed” Bullet

Answer 11

The soft lead is surrounded by another metal, usually copper, that allows the bullet to penetrate a target more easily.

Question 12

“Wad Cutter” Bullet

Answer 12

The front of the bullet is flattened. Used mainly for target practice.

Question 13

Caliber

Answer 13

The diameter of the bore measured from land to land, usually expressed in hundredths of an inch (.22 cal) or in millimeters (9mm).

Question 14

Cartridge

Answer 14

Also called a “round,” “ammunition,” or “shell.” Made up of a case, primer, powder, and bullet.

Question 15

Centerfire

Answer 15

The cartridge contains the primer in the center of the base, where it can be struck by the firing pin of the action (most commonly on a 22 cal).

Question 16

Chamber

Answer 16

The portion of the “action” that holds the cartridge ready for firing.

Question 17

Choke

Answer 17

A constriction of a shotgun bore at the muzzle that determines the pattern of the fired shot.

Question 18

Double-Action

Answer 18

Pulling the trigger both cocks the hammer and fires the gun.

Question 19

Double Barrel

Answer 19

Two barrels side by side or one on top of the other, usually on a shotgun.

Question 20

Gauge

Answer 20

Refers to the diameter of the barrel on a shotgun, in terms of the number of lead balls the size of the bore it would take to weigh one pound (10 gauge, 12 gauge, etc.)

Question 21

Hammer

Answer 21

A metal rod or plate that strikes the cartridge primer to detonate the powder.

Question 22

Ignition

Answer 22

The way in which powder is ignited. Old muzzle-loading weapons used flintlock or percussion caps. Modern guns use “primers” that are “rimfire” or “centerfire.”

Question 23

Lands and Grooves

Answer 23

Lands are the metal inside the barrel left after the spiral grooves are cut to produce the rifling.

Question 24

Magazine

Answer 24

A device for storing cartridges in a repeating firearm for loading into the chamber. Also referred to as a “clip.”

Question 25

Magnum

Answer 25

An improved version of a standard cartridge which uses the same caliber and bullet, but has more powder, giving the fired bullet more energy. Magnum shotgun loads, however, refer to an increased amount of shot pellets in the shell.

Question 26

Muzzle

Answer 26

The end of the barrel out of which the bullet exits.

Question 27

Pistol

Answer 27

Synonym for a handgun that does not have a revolving cylinder.

Question 28

Powder

Answer 28

Modern gun cartridges use "smokeless" powder that is relatively stable, of uniform quality, and leaves little residue when ignited.

Question 29

Primer

Answer 29

A volatile substance that ignites when struck to detonate the powder in a cartridge.

Question 30

Revolver

Answer 30

Handgun that has a cylinder with holes to contain the cartridges. The cylinder revolves to bring the cartridge into position to be fired. It is "single action" when the hammer must be cocked before the trigger can fire the weapon. It is "double-action" when pulling the trigger both cocks and fires the gun.

Question 31

Rifling

Answer 31

The spiral grooves cut inside a gun barrel that gives the bullet a spinning motion.

Question 32

Rimfire

Answer 32

A cartridge with the primer distributed around the periphery of the base.

Question 33

Safety

Answer 33

A mechanism to prevent firing of the gun.

Question 34

Shotgun

Answer 34

A gun with a smoothbore that shoots cartridges that contain "shot" or small metal pellets (of lead or steel) as the projectiles.

Question 35

Sights

Answer 35

The device(s) on top of a barrel that allow the gun to be aimed.

Question 36

Silencer

Answer 36

A device that fits over the muzzle of the barrel to muffle the sound of a gunshot. Most work by baffling the escape of gases.

Question 37

Single-Action

Answer 37

The hammer must be manually cocked before the trigger can be pulled.

Question 38

Smokeless Powder

Answer 38

Refers to modern gunpowder, which is really not "powder" but flakes of nitrocellulose and other substances. Not really "smokeless" but much less so than black powder.

Question 39

Stock

Answer 39

A wood, metal, or plastic frame that holds the barrel and action and allows the gun to be held firmly.