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The first step to becoming a responsible hunter is knowing your equipment and how to use it safely.
Other Firearm Parts
bore:
Inside of the firearm barrel through which the projectile travels when fired
breech:
Rear end of the barrel
firing pin:
A pin that strikes the primer of the cartridge, causing ignition
receiver:
Metal housing for the working parts of the action
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WHAT IS A FIREARM?
A firearm is a mechanical device that uses pressure from a burning powder to force a projectile through and out of a metal tube. To appreciate fully the importance of firearm safety, you first must understand how firearms work. This includes knowing the parts of the firearm, the types of ammunition, how ammunition is fired, and the ranges of the various firearms used for hunting.
Basic Parts of a Firearm
Although firearms have changed a great deal since they were first invented, the terms used for their parts have changed very little. All modern firearms have three basic groups of parts.
- Action: The action is the heart of the firearm—the moving parts that load, fire, and eject the shells or cartridges. Several types of actions are used in modern firearms. Muzzleloaders have locks instead of actions.
- Stock: The stock serves as the handle of the firearm. It can be composed of one or two pieces and is usually made of wood or a synthetic material.
- Barrel: The barrel is the metal tube that the projectile travels through (bullets travel through the barrels of rifles and handguns; shot travels through the barrel of shotguns).
Parts of a Bolt-Action Rifle
Rifles, shotguns, and handguns have many similar parts. Show here are the parts of a commonly used rifle—the bolt-action rifle.
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