Firearms - Semiautomatic Pistol

Question 1

Provides space for lighting and sighting devices.

Answer 1

Accessory rail

Question 2

Portion of the grip that is placed in the palm of the shooting hand.

Answer 2

Back strap

Question 3

Holds the internal parts, as well as the slide assembly, and provides a way to grip the pistol.

Answer 3

Frame/receiver

Question 4

Located on the slide’s front; used to bring the firearm into alignment for accuracy.

Answer 4

Front sight

Question 5

Position of the grip that allows the fingers of the shooting hand to rest.

Answer 5

Front strap

Question 6

Made of polymer (plastic) designed to allow the shooter to easily hold and control the weapon.

Answer 6

Grip panel

Question 7

Releases the magazine from the frame (magazine well).

Answer 7

Magazine catch

Question 8

Base of the magazine.

Answer 8

Magazine floor plate

Question 9

Provides a path for the fired bullet and is chambered to hold the cartridge.

Answer 9

Muzzle barrel

Question 10

Located on the rear of the slide that aligns with the front sight to bring the firearm into alignment for accuracy.

Answer 10

Rear sight

Question 11

Houses the firing pin, safety, drop safety, sights, and extractor.

Answer 11

Slide

Question 12

Allows access of the firing pin assembly.

Answer 12

Slide cover plate

Question 13

Device that allows quick and simple field stripping of the pistol.

Answer 13

Slide lock

Question 14

Device that locks the slide in the open position.

Answer 14

Slide stop lever

Question 15

Place for the thumb to rest while gripping the pistol.

Answer 15

Thumb rest

Question 16

Activates the pistol’s operation.

Answer 16

Trigger

Question 17

Part of the frame that protects the trigger.

Answer 17

Trigger guard

Question 18

Allows the trigger to move when pressed.

Answer 18

Trigger safety

Question 19

Holds the ammunition.

Answer 19

Magazine

Question 20

The magazine consists of five main parts:

Answer 20

follower, spring, magazine insert, floor plate, magazine tube

Question 21

Directs the recoil spring. It absorbs the recoil and returns the slide to the following position.

Answer 21

Recoil guide

Question 22

Pushes the slide forward.

Answer 22

Recoil spring

Question 23

Pistols are categorized by their type of ________ mechanism.

Answer 23

trigger

Question 24

A _________ mechanism performs the single action of releasing the hammer or striker. Once the first round is fired the automatic movement of the slide resets the mechanism for each subsequent shot.

Answer 24

single-action

Question 25

Every round fires double action with the hammer at rest against the rear of the slide. Every time the trigger is pulled to the rear, it manually cocks and releases the hammer to fire the pistol. As the slide cycles and goes forward, the hammer safety follows, coming to rest against the slide's rear. The hammer never stays cocked. The weapon's trigger pull is the same each time.

Answer 25

double action only

Question 26

The first round fires double action (the trigger being pulled to the rear manually cocks the hammer and releases it). The second and subsequent rounds fire single action as the hammer remains cocked each time the slide cycles. After firing is complete the hammer remains cocked. Before holstering the weapon, it must be de-cocked using the de-cocking lever.

Answer 26

double/single

Question 27

The trigger is the one and only operative control on the gun. Glock handguns do not need external levers to render them ready to fire. They never fully cock until the trigger is pulled completely back. The trigger pull is the same each time.

Answer 27

safe action

Question 28

Seating a loaded magazine into the magazine well.

Answer 28

loading

Question 29

Moving the round from the magazine to the chamber by releasing the slide, picking up the round from the magazine and seating the round into the chamber.

Answer 29

feeding/cambering

Question 30

The breech end of the barrel locks into the slide.

Answer 30

locking

Question 31

Ignition of the primer and firing the cartridge.

Answer 31

firing

Question 32

Unseating the breech end of the barrel from the slide.

Answer 32

unlocking

Question 33

"Pulling" the spent cartridge from the chamber.

Answer 33

extraction

Question 34

"Pushing" the spent cartridge out of the ejection port.

Answer 34

ejecting

Question 35

Returning the firing mechanism to the fire position.

Answer 35

cocking