NRA Study Guide 2026
Everything you need to pass the NRA exam in one place: the exam format, every topic to study, real practice questions with explanations, flashcards, and full-length practice tests. Free, no sign-up needed.
📋 NRA Exam Format at a Glance
📚 NRA Topics to Study (37)
✍️ Sample NRA Questions & Answers
1. What determines the lock time of a firearm?
Lock time is the elapsed time between trigger release and primer ignition, influenced by firing pin weight and spring tension.
2. What is 'sight radius' on a firearm?
Sight radius is the measured distance between the front and rear sights; a longer radius reduces angular aiming error and generally improves practical accuracy.
3. What is the term for the pressure spike that occurs when the bullet first begins to move from the case?
Chamber pressure is the pressure generated inside the cartridge case when the propellant ignites, typically measured in PSI or CUP at its peak just as the bullet begins moving.
4. Why should a gunsmith test the fit of all parts AFTER applying a new finish?
Even thin coatings like Cerakote add material thickness that can cause binding in tight-tolerance areas, requiring the gunsmith to fit parts back to specification.
5. What is the function of the gas port in a gas-operated semi-automatic rifle?
The gas port allows a portion of propellant gas to bleed off from the barrel and redirect it to operate the bolt carrier group.
6. What does it mean if a firearm exhibits 'trigger creep'?
Trigger creep is the takeup or movement of the trigger prior to the sear release, often felt as a gritty or mushy movement before the shot breaks.