Hunt/Gun Basics Flashcards (1 of 2)

Questions and Answers

What is a firearm in simplest terms?

A firearm is a mechanical device that uses pressure from a burning powder to force a projectile through and out of a metal tube.

What are the three basic groups of parts in modern firearms?

Action, Stock, Barrel

What is the action on a firearm?

The action is the heart of the firearm. It is the moving parts that load, fire, and eject the empty shells or cartridges.

What is the stock on a firearm?

The stock serves as the handle of the firearm. Signup and view all the answers

What is the barrel on a firearm?

The barrel is the metal tube that the projectile travels through. Signup and view all the answers

What is the chamber of a firearm used for?

The chamber is the base of the barrel used to hold the cartridge or shotshell ready for shooting. Signup and view all the answers

What is the bore on a firearm?

The bore is the inside of the firearm barrel through which the projectile travels when fired. Signup and view all the answers

What is the firing pin on a firearm?

The firing pin is a pin that strikes the primer of the cartridge, causing ignition. Signup and view all the answers

What is the receiver on a firearm?

The receiver is the metal housing for the working parts of the action. Signup and view all the answers

Rifles and handguns use a __________, containing a single projectile, called a bullet.

cartridge Signup and view all the answers

Shotguns use a __________, containing either a single shot or a large number of small projectiles, called shot.

shotshell Signup and view all the answers

The basic components of ammunition are __________.

Case, Primer, Powder, Projectile or projectiles Signup and view all the answers

What is the 'case' on ammunition?

The case is the container that holds all the other ammunition components together. Signup and view all the answers

What is 'primer' used for on ammunition?

Primer is an explosive chemical compound that ignites the gunpowder when struck by the firing pin. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'gunpowder' do in ammunition?

Gunpowder is a chemical mixture that burns very rapidly and converts to an expanding gas when ignited. Signup and view all the answers

What does the 'projectile' in ammunition do?

The projectile is the object, or objects, that are expelled from the barrel. Signup and view all the answers

What are the general types of 'projectiles' used on various firearms?

Bullet, Slug, Shot Signup and view all the answers

What does a wad do in shotgun ammunition?

A wad is a seal made of paper or plastic separating the powder from the slug or shot in a shot-shell. Signup and view all the answers

Bullets used for hunting may have soft or hollow points, designed to __________ upon impact.

expand Signup and view all the answers

Bullets used for target shooting usually have __________ that make small holes.

solid points Signup and view all the answers

What are some common types of rifle bullets?

Pointed Soft Point, Rounded Soft Point, Protected Tip, Full Metal Jacket Signup and view all the answers

What are some common types of handgun bullets?

Round-nose Lead, Full Metal Jacket, Semi-Wad Cutter, Hollow-point, Wad Cutter Signup and view all the answers

A __________ is an ammunition used in modern rifles and handguns. It includes a case containing primer, gunpowder, and a bullet.

cartridge Signup and view all the answers

__________ is ammunition that is used in modern shotguns. It includes a case containing primer, gunpowder, wad, and a slug or shot.

Shotshell Signup and view all the answers

What is Centerfire ammunition?

Centerfire ammunition is used for shotguns, and most rifles and handguns where the primer is located in the center of the casing base. Signup and view all the answers

What is Rimfire ammunition?

Rimfire ammunition has the primer contained in the rim of the ammunition casing. Signup and view all the answers

__________ is the term used to designate bore diameter of a shotgun.

Gauge Signup and view all the answers

Shotshells must exactly match the and specified by the manufacturer.

gauge, shell length Signup and view all the answers

What are the shell lengths that shotguns may be chambered for?

2 ¾ inch, 3 inch, 3 ½ inch shells Signup and view all the answers

Shotshell marked as __________ means the shell has more shot or more gunpowder than a regular shell.

Magnum Signup and view all the answers

The smaller the shot number, the __________ the shot size.

larger Signup and view all the answers

Pulling the trigger of a firearm causes the firing pin to strike and explode the __________ in the base of the cartridge or shotshell.

primer Signup and view all the answers

What happens when the spark from the primer ignites the gunpowder?

It burns rapidly converting to a gas, which then rapidly expands and drives the projectile through the barrel with great force. Signup and view all the answers

Singleshot rifles are usually , or actions.

break, bolt Signup and view all the answers

What types of repeating rifles are there?

Lever-action, Bolt-action, Pump-action, Semi-automatic Signup and view all the answers

What does operating the lever, bolt, or forestock do on a rifle?

It ejects the empty cartridge case, chambers a new round of ammunition, and cocks the gun. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between a gun that is 'Single-action' and one that is 'Double-action'?

Single Action requires manually cocking the hammer, while Double Action cocks and releases the hammer when the trigger is pulled. Signup and view all the answers

What is a firearm's 'Caliber' used for?

Caliber is used to describe the size of a rifle or handgun bore and the size of cartridges designed for different bores. Signup and view all the answers

Every rifle or handgun is designed for a specific cartridge. The ammunition must match the __________ on the firearm.

data stamp Signup and view all the answers

On rifle and handgun calibers, the same bore size __________ different cartridges are interchangeable.

does NOT mean Signup and view all the answers

What is a 'hang fire', and when does one happen?

Hang fires happen when the firing pin has struck the primer and there is a delay before it fires. Signup and view all the answers

When does a 'misfire' happen?

A misfire occurs when the primer fails to ignite the powder. Signup and view all the answers

Shotguns are classified by __________, which is a measure related to the diameter of the smooth shotgun bore and the size of the shot-shell designed for that bore.

gauge Signup and view all the answers

The smaller the gauge number, the __________ the shotgun bore.

larger Signup and view all the answers

Where is the gauge of a shotgun marked?

The gauge of a shotgun is usually marked on the rear of the barrel. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Firearm Basics

A firearm utilizes pressure from burning powder to propel a projectile through a metal tube.
Modern firearms consist of three main components: action, stock, and barrel.

Action

The action is the central mechanism of a firearm, responsible for loading, firing, and ejecting cartridges.
Muzzleloaders feature locks instead of traditional actions.

Stock

The stock serves as the firearm's handle and is typically made from wood or synthetic materials.

Barrel

The barrel is the metal tube where the projectile travels; rifle and handgun barrels use bullets, while shotguns use shot.

Chamber and Bore

The chamber holds the cartridge or shotshell until firing, while the bore is the interior of the barrel through which the projectile passes.

Firing Pin and Receiver

The firing pin strikes the cartridge's primer to ignite it.
The receiver houses the operational pieces of the action.

Ammunition Components

Cartridges contain a case, primer, gunpowder, and projectile; shotshells include these plus a wad.

Case and Primer

The case holds all ammunition components and is often made of materials like brass or plastic.
Primers are explosive compounds that ignite the gunpowder, differentiating between rimfire (located in the rim) and centerfire (located centrally).

Gunpowder Functionality

Gunpowder burns rapidly to create expanding gas, propelling the projectile. Modern smokeless powder is safer than black powder.

Projectiles

Projectiles include bullets (for rifles and handguns), slugs (for shotguns), and shot (small pellets fired from shotguns).
Wad is used in shot-shells to separate powder from shot, preventing gas loss.

Bullet Types

Hunting bullets may have soft or hollow points designed to expand upon impact.
Target bullets are often solid points, creating small holes.

Rifle and Handgun Bullets

Common rifle bullets include pointed soft point, rounded soft point, protected tip, and full metal jacket.
Handgun bullet types include round-nose lead, full metal jacket, semi-wadcutter, hollow point, and wadcutter.

Types of Ammunition

Cartridges are for rifles and handguns; shotshells are for shotguns, both containing necessary components for firing.
Centerfire ammunition features primers in the case center, reloadable, while rimfire has them at the rim, limited to low pressure, and non-reloadable.

Gauge and Shell Length

Gauge denotes the bore diameter of shotguns, determined by how many lead balls of equal diameter weigh one pound.
Shotgun shells can vary in length, commonly 2 ¾ inch, 3 inch, or 3 ½ inch.

Magnum Shells and Shot Sizes

"Magnum" shells contain more shot or gunpowder than regular shells.
Shot size is inversely related to the numbered size; smaller shot numbers indicate larger size.

Trigger Functionality

Pulling the trigger activates the firing pin to strike the primer, igniting gunpowder, generating gas rapidly that forces the projectile out of the barrel.

Firearm Operations

Operating the lever, bolt, or forend ejects spent cartridges, chambers new rounds, and cocks the firearm.

Single-action vs Double-action

Single-action firearms require manual cocking of the hammer to fire, while double-action firearms cock and release the hammer with a single trigger pull.

Caliber

Caliber specifies the size of a firearm's bore and associated cartridges; measured by diameter from land to opposite land.

Matching Ammunition and Firearms

Each firearm is designed for specific cartridges; ammunition must match the firearm's data stamp. Bore sizes of the same caliber are not interchangeable.

Hang Fires and Misfires

Hang fires involve a delay in firing after the firing pin strikes, often due to faulty components.
Misfires occur when the primer fails to ignite the powder.

Shotgun Classification

Shotguns are classified by gauge, which relates to bore diameter and shot-shell sizing; smaller gauge numbers indicate larger bores.

Marking and Identification

Shotgun gauge is marked on both the barrel and shell packaging for identification.

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Description

Test your knowledge of the fundamentals of firearms with these flashcards. Learn about the basic parts of modern firearms and their definitions. Perfect for beginners and enthusiasts looking to solidify their understanding of gun mechanics.