Ammo

Category Description

Description Handgun, any firearm small enough to be held in one hand when fired. It usually fires a single projectile or bullet, and additional ammunition may be available in a revolving mechanism or magazine. Handguns may be used for target shooting, hunting small game, or personal self-defense. Automatic handguns are illegal in many countries, and private ownership of any handgun is restricted in most of the world. Types of Handguns Handguns can be classified by their action type. The action of a handgun is made up of parts that load, unload, fire, and eject the cartridge. Actions are either single-shot or repeating styles. Single-shot handguns (single-shot pistols) must be reloaded each time the handgun is fired. Repeating handguns (revolvers and semi-automatic pistols) have extra cartridges ready in a magazine or cylinder. Animation: Parts of a Semi-Automatic Pistol Other Firearm Parts magazine release Button or lever that releases a detachable magazine so that it can be removed from the pistol safety Mechanical device that blocks the trigger or hammer to help prevent accidental firing slide lock Switch that locks the slide in position when the slide is pulled to the rear More Handgun Parts bore Inside of the handgun barrel through which the projectile travels when fired breech Rear end of the barrel chamber Base of the barrel used to hold the cartridge ready for shooting cylinder Storage for ammunition in a revolver; the cylinder rotates as the action is cocked cylinder release Button or latch that frees the cylinder from the frame in a double-action revolver ejector rod Metal rod used to help with removal of cartridges firing pin A pin that strikes the primer of the cartridge, causing ignition receiver Metal housing for the working parts of the action Handgun Sights All types of handguns have sights and actions, and they may have safeties or magazines. A sight is a device used to line up the muzzle with your eye so that you can hit the target. Most handguns have an iron sight, although some specialized handguns have a telescopic, a dot, or a laser sight. Handgun Safeties You should never replace safe firearm handling by trusting the safety on a firearm. A safety is a mechanical device that could fail. Don’t release the safety until just before you shoot. Even with the safety in the “on” position, be aware that a loaded handgun still may fire if the gun is dropped or struck sharply. Carry older single-action revolvers with the hammer down on an empty cartridge chamber. Not all handguns have a mechanical safety. On a handgun with a safety, the safety will be located around the receiver and is usually easy to spot. The orange outlines indicate where safeties may be located on semi-automatic pistols. Typical safety locations on a semi-automatic pistol Safety Tip Some handguns have a mechanical safety, and others do not. In either case, the best way to avoid accidental firing is to make sure the gun is unloaded and the action is open. On a handgun, you can do this by making sure the slide is locked back (semi-automatic action), the cylinder is out (revolving action), or the gun is broken open (break action). Handgun Magazines In repeating firearms, the magazine is the place that stores the ammunition that has not been fired. It is a removable, spring-powered ammunition storage and feeding device that is inserted into a semi-automatic firearm. When you work the action, a cartridge is picked up from the magazine and placed in the chamber ready to be fired. Magazines are designed with a spring and follower, which push against the cartridges to move them into the action. When checking a magazine to make sure it’s empty, you must be able to either see or feel the follower; if you cannot see or feel the follower, there may be a cartridge jammed in the magazine, which can be dangerous. Tubular magazines require close attention to make sure a cartridge is not jammed in the magazine. Magazines may be detachable or fixed. Detachable magazines allow you to remove extra ammunition from the firearm by simply removing the magazine. Fixed magazines require the ammunition to be removed manually from the gun itself. These include tubular, hinged-floor-plate, and revolving magazines.