RSO Firearm and Ammunition Identification

Question 1

Which ammunition type is most commonly prohibited on indoor ranges due to the risk of ricochets and range surface damage?

Accepted Answer

Steel-core or armor-piercing (AP) rounds

Answer

Full metal jacket (FMJ) lead-core rounds

Answer

Hollow-point (HP) rounds

Answer

Lead round-nose (LRN) rounds

Question 2

A shooter arrives with a firearm that has an external hammer, a rotating cylinder, and no detachable magazine. What type of action is this?

Accepted Answer

Single-action revolver or double-action revolver

Answer

Semi-automatic pistol

Answer

Bolt-action repeater

Answer

Lever-action carbine

Question 3

What is the primary visual difference between a rimfire cartridge and a centerfire cartridge?

Accepted Answer

Rimfire cartridges have the priming compound in the rim of the case; centerfire cartridges have a primer cup in the center of the base

Answer

Rimfire cartridges are always larger in diameter than centerfire cartridges

Answer

Centerfire cartridges have a colored case; rimfire cartridges have a silver case

Answer

Rimfire cartridges have a pointed projectile; centerfire cartridges have a flat-nosed projectile

Question 4

A shooter presents a box labeled '12 Gauge 2¾" #8 Shot.' What does the '2¾"' measurement refer to?

Accepted Answer

The chamber length the shotshell is designed for

Answer

The diameter of the individual pellets in inches

Answer

The overall length of the loaded cartridge

Answer

The maximum effective range of the load in tens of yards

Question 5

Tracer ammunition is generally banned on most civilian ranges primarily because:

Accepted Answer

The incendiary compound in tracer rounds creates a fire hazard, especially on ranges with dry vegetation or flammable backstop materials

Answer

Tracer rounds are significantly less accurate than standard ball ammunition

Answer

Tracer rounds violate federal law for civilian possession

Answer

Tracer rounds produce excessive noise that exceeds OSHA hearing safety limits

Question 6

An RSO notices a shooter attempting to fire what appears to be a 9mm semi-automatic pistol but hears clicking rather than firing. The RSO can see that the ammunition box left behind is labeled '.380 ACP.' What is the most likely issue?

Accepted Answer

.380 ACP cartridges may be short enough to partially chamber but will not reliably feed or fire in a 9mm pistol due to dimensional differences

Answer

.380 ACP is a more powerful cartridge and is overpressure for a 9mm chamber

Answer

.380 ACP and 9mm are completely interchangeable; the problem must be a broken firing pin

Answer

.380 ACP is a rimfire cartridge and requires a different firing mechanism