FSC - Firearm Safety Certificate Ammunition and Malfunctions Questions and Answers 3

Question 1

What does the caliber designation ".45 ACP" mean?

Accepted Answer

.45 inch bullet diameter; ACP stands for Automatic Colt Pistol

Answer

.45 ACP stands for .45 Automatic Colt Pistol. The .45 refers to the approximate bullet diameter of 0.452 inches. ACP indicates it was designed for semi-automatic pistols (specifically originally for the Colt 1911). Caliber designations in the US typically indicate bullet diameter in inches or millimeters.

Question 2

What is the difference between a "misfire" and a "squib load"?

Accepted Answer

A misfire is when the cartridge fails to fire at all; a squib load is when the cartridge fires with insufficient power to fully propel the bullet out of the barrel

Answer

A misfire is a complete failure to fire — the primer does not ignite, producing a click. A squib load fires but with greatly reduced powder, producing a quiet pop with reduced recoil, and the bullet may lodge in the barrel. Both require careful handling. A squib is particularly dangerous if not recognized before the next shot.

Question 3

What does "+P" mean on a box of ammunition?

Accepted Answer

The ammunition is loaded to higher-than-standard pressure, producing more velocity and energy

Answer

+P ammunition is loaded to higher pressure than the standard SAAMI specification for that caliber, resulting in higher muzzle velocity and energy. It should only be used in firearms rated by the manufacturer to handle +P ammunition. Using +P in a firearm not rated for it can accelerate wear or cause unsafe pressure levels.

Question 4

What should you do if you hear an unusual sound or feel reduced recoil after pulling the trigger?

Accepted Answer

Immediately stop firing, keep the firearm pointed in a safe direction, and check the barrel for an obstruction (possible squib load)

Answer

An unusual quiet report or reduced recoil may indicate a squib load — a round that has fired but left the bullet lodged in the barrel. Firing a subsequent round into a blocked barrel can cause catastrophic barrel rupture. Immediately stop, point in a safe direction, make the firearm safe, and inspect the barrel before continuing.

Question 5

What is the purpose of a "failure drill" (also called a Mozambique drill)?

Accepted Answer

Two shots to the body and one to the head — a training drill for situations where body shots fail to stop a threat

Answer

The Mozambique drill (failure drill) consists of two rounds fired to the center of mass followed by one round to the head. It was developed to address situations where body shots fail to stop an attacker. The FSC covers this concept in the context of understanding why accurate shot placement matters in defensive situations.

Firearm Safety Certificate (FSC) Practice Test

Firearm Safety Certificate (FSC) Practice Test

FSC - Firearm Safety Certificate Ammunition and Malfunctions Questions and Answers 3