CA-FSC Firearm Types and Mechanisms 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What distinguishes a semi-automatic pistol from a revolver?
- A revolver holds more rounds
- A semi-automatic uses a detachable magazine and cycles the action automatically (Correct answer)
- A semi-automatic must be cocked before each shot
- A revolver is always more accurate
Correct answer: A semi-automatic uses a detachable magazine and cycles the action automatically
Semi-automatic pistols feed from a detachable magazine and use energy from firing to chamber the next round automatically.
Question 2: What is the function of a firearm's extractor?
- It ignites the primer
- It feeds rounds from the magazine
- It removes the spent case from the chamber after firing (Correct answer)
- It locks the action closed during firing
Correct answer: It removes the spent case from the chamber after firing
The extractor grips the cartridge rim and pulls the spent case out of the chamber after the round is fired.
Question 3: In a double-action revolver, what happens when the trigger is pulled?
- Only the firing pin drops
- The hammer cocks and then falls in a single trigger pull (Correct answer)
- The cylinder must be manually rotated first
- The hammer must be pre-cocked by hand
Correct answer: The hammer cocks and then falls in a single trigger pull
A double-action revolver both cocks the hammer and releases it with a single continuous trigger pull.
Question 4: What does 'gauge' measure when describing a shotgun?
- The barrel length in inches
- The weight of the shot charge in grams
- The bore diameter expressed as the number of lead balls of that diameter making one pound (Correct answer)
- The chamber pressure in PSI
Correct answer: The bore diameter expressed as the number of lead balls of that diameter making one pound
Shotgun gauge is historically defined as the number of pure lead balls of the bore diameter that together weigh one pound.
Question 5: What type of action ejects a spent shell and chambers a new one by manually sliding the forestock backward and forward?
- Lever action
- Bolt action
- Pump action (Correct answer)
- Break action
Correct answer: Pump action
A pump-action (slide-action) firearm cycles by moving the forestock rearward then forward, ejecting the spent case and chambering a fresh round.
Question 6: Which component of a semi-automatic pistol holds rounds and feeds them into the chamber?
- The cylinder
- The detachable magazine (Correct answer)
- The breech block
- The ejection port
Correct answer: The detachable magazine
The detachable magazine stores cartridges under spring tension and feeds them one at a time into the chamber.
Question 7: What is the purpose of rifling inside a firearm barrel?
- To reduce barrel weight
- To slow the bullet for better accuracy at short range
- To impart spin on the bullet, stabilizing it in flight (Correct answer)
- To increase the chamber pressure
Correct answer: To impart spin on the bullet, stabilizing it in flight
Rifling consists of helical grooves cut into the barrel that spin the bullet, gyroscopically stabilizing it for improved accuracy and range.
CA-FSC Firearm Types and Mechanisms 2
What distinguishes a semi-automatic pistol from a revolver?