Major Parts and Actions Flashcards

What is the primary function of the extractor on a firearm?

Answer: To pull the spent cartridge case from the chamber after firing.

The extractor is a small claw-like part that hooks onto the rim of the cartridge case. Its specific job is to pull the spent case out of the chamber once the action is operated. The ejector then pushes the case out of the firearm.

A shotgun user wants to tighten the pattern of the shot for hunting waterfowl at a longer distance. Which part of the shotgun would they typically change or adjust?

Answer: The choke

The choke is a constriction at the muzzle end of a shotgun barrel that shapes the spread of the shot. A tighter choke (e.g., 'Full') will produce a denser, narrower pattern for longer-range targets, while a more open choke (e.g., 'Cylinder') creates a wider spread for closer targets.

Which component holds cartridges in a revolver and rotates to align each chamber with the barrel before firing?

Answer: Cylinder

A revolver is characterized by its rotating cylinder, which contains multiple chambers to hold cartridges. A magazine is typically a separate, detachable container used in semi-automatic firearms.

What is the main purpose of the spiral grooves, known as rifling, found inside the barrel of most modern rifles and handguns?

Answer: To impart a spin on the bullet for gyroscopic stability and accuracy.

Rifling consists of lands and grooves that spiral down the bore of a barrel. As the bullet travels down the barrel, the rifling forces it to spin, which provides gyroscopic stability. This spin prevents the bullet from tumbling in flight, significantly improving its accuracy and effective range.

A firearm that operates by hinging the barrel(s) downwards from the receiver to expose the chamber(s) for loading and unloading is known as which type of action?

Answer: Break-action

A break-action firearm operates on a hinge, allowing the barrel or barrels to pivot away from the receiver. This action directly exposes the chamber(s), making it simple to load cartridges or remove spent casings. This design is common in single-shot or double-barreled shotguns and rifles.

Which of the following action types requires the operator to manipulate a lever located behind the trigger guard to eject a spent cartridge and chamber a new one?

Answer: Lever-action

A lever-action firearm is operated by a lever that is typically part of, or located just behind, the trigger guard. Cycling this lever down and back up ejects the spent cartridge, cocks the hammer, and loads a fresh cartridge from the magazine into the chamber.