FSC - Firearm Safety Certificate Firearm Handling and Operation Questions and Answers 2

Question 1

What is the difference between a revolver and a semi-automatic pistol?

Accepted Answer

A revolver uses a rotating cylinder to hold cartridges; a semi-automatic uses a removable magazine and auto-chambers rounds from the magazine after each shot

Answer

A revolver fires automatically; a semi-auto fires one round per trigger pull

Answer

A revolver holds more rounds than a semi-automatic

Answer

A semi-automatic requires manual recocking between shots; a revolver does not

Question 2

What is the function of the extractor on a semi-automatic pistol?

Accepted Answer

It grips the base of the fired casing and pulls it out of the chamber during the slide's rearward travel

Answer

It guides rounds from the magazine into the chamber

Answer

It holds the slide in the rearward locked-open position

Answer

It prevents rounds from feeding when the magazine is not fully seated

Question 3

What is the function of the ejector on a semi-automatic pistol?

Accepted Answer

It is a fixed (or spring-loaded) component inside the slide/frame that strikes the base of the extracted case, directing it out of the ejection port

Answer

It ejects the magazine when the magazine release is pressed

Answer

It automatically opens the slide on the last round fired

Answer

It prevents spent casings from falling back into the action

Question 4

What does it mean when a semi-automatic pistol "goes to slide lock" after the last round is fired?

Accepted Answer

The slide remains locked in the open (rearward) position because the magazine's follower pushes up the slide stop after the last round is chambered and fired

Answer

The magazine has jammed and requires professional service

Answer

The firing pin has broken and must be replaced

Answer

The pistol has engaged its manual safety automatically

Question 5

What is the correct way to perform a press check on a semi-automatic pistol?

Accepted Answer

Slightly retract the slide to visually and tactilely confirm whether a round is chambered, without fully cycling the action

Answer

Pull the trigger while holding the slide to check resistance

Answer

Remove the magazine and look through the ejection port

Answer

Press the barrel forward and look down the magazine well

Question 6

What is the purpose of the magazine disconnect safety found on some semi-automatic pistols?

Accepted Answer

It prevents the firearm from firing when the magazine is removed from the pistol

Answer

It prevents the magazine from being inserted at an angle

Answer

It locks the magazine in place during firing to prevent accidental drops

Answer

It disconnects the double-action trigger pull when the magazine is fully loaded