About This Quiz
Do you know everything there is to know about guns? If you've got firearms in your blood, you might know a thing about bullets and firearms. Prove it by acing this quiz in seven minutes or less.
As simple as the action of many firearms is, there are actually numerous moving parts and technical specs that go into aiming, firing and maintaining a firearm. Guns might seem like simple point and shoot devices, but without knowing the basics, you're probably doing it wrong. To get started, it's a good idea to know the components of a firearm. From the stock to the muzzle, every firearm has a number of moving parts that perform a host of important functions that result in the successful firing of the weapon. Sure, you might know what a stock and a muzzle are, but are you familiar with the terms "velocity" and "extractor"? If not, you're definitely not going to finish this quiz in seven minutes. If you are familiar with these terms, let's see if you are up to the challenge. Although there's no money in it, successful completion of this quiz will earn you bragging rights.
Are you prepared to take the quiz? Ready, aim, fire!
The metal tube through which a bullet is fired is called a barrel. Gun barrels are typically made of a rigid, high-strength metal.
The safety prevents a fun from firing. But a safety isn't fail proof, so make sure you practice gun safety.
The trigger initiates the firing sequence. Triggers are typically activated using a finger.
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The projectile fired from a gun is called a bullet. There are multiple types of bullets.
A silencer muffles the sound of a gunshot. A silencer fits over the barrel of a gun.
The device used to aim a gun is called a sight. The sight is located on top of the barrel.
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You hold on to a stock. Stocks are made of either plastic, metal or wood.
A revolver is a handgun with a cylinder that holds the cartridges. It is called a revolver because the cylinder revolves to move the cartridge into firing position.
The action is the term used for when the cartridge loads, fires and ejects. Action can be single or double.
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A handgun that does not have a revolving cylinder might be called a pistol. The term originated in 16th century Europe.
The term for the end of the barrel where the bullet exits is "muzzle." The muzzle is critical to a firearm's accuracy.
The chamber holds a cartridge that is ready for firing. Revolvers have multiple chambers.
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Kick is the term used to describe the backward motion of a gun when it is discharged. The term recoil may also be used.
A repeating firearm uses a magazine to store and feed ammunition. A magazine can be fixed or detachable.
The package of a propellant and a projectile is referred to as ammunition. The package itself is a cartridge.
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The inside of a barrel is called a bore. The bore of a shotgun is smooth, which leads to the term "smoothbore."
Gunpowder made of nitrate, charcoal and sulfur was called black powder. This kind of gunpowder is no longer used.
Firearms that can shoot multiple rounds are called repeaters. Repeaters may or may not require manual action between rounds.
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Modern gunpowder is called smokeless. However, modern gunpowder is neither true gunpowder nor truly smokeless.
Ignition is the term for the manner in which gunpowder is ignited. Modern guns are ignited differently from old fashioned guns.
The weight of the powder in a cartridge or of a bullet is called grain. This term used to be based on a grain of wheat or barley.
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The hammer strikes the firing pin. The firing pin then ignites the primer.
The lead core of a bullet is surrounded by a jacket. Jackets are usually made of copper.
A rifle with two barrels is called a double-barrel rifle. A double barrel may be over/under or side by side.
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A ramrod was once used to push the projectile down the bore toward the propellant. A ramrod was typically made of metal or wood.
The diameter of a barrel is expressed using the term gauge. Gauge is a measure of the bore diameter.
Dry fire is the term used when firing a weapon without ammunition. But, be careful, dry firing can damage a firearm.
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Informal target shooting is called plinking. Shooting at cans can be called plinking.
Velocity is the term for the speed at which a projectile leaves the muzzle. Velocity may be as high as 4,000 feet per second.
An extractor ejects the spent casing after the firearm has been fired. The extractor is part of the action cycle.
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The up/down adjustment of a sight is called elevation. This refers to the vertical adjustment.
A cartridge that contains gunpowder but no bullet is called a blank. Blanks do make a flash and a sound.
The side to side adjustment of a sight is called windage. This changes the horizontal aim of the weapon.
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A bore snake is used to clean inside the barrel. A bore snake might also be called a cleaning cord.