Topic 1 - Re-introduction to key firearms and ammunition terminology

Question 1

What is the equation for Kinetic Energy (Ek)?

Answer 1

Ek = 1/2 x M x v^2 (squared)

Question 2

What is a unit of Firearm ammunition refered to in modern day?

Answer 2

“A round”

Question 3

What are the main components of “A round”?

Answer 3

Cartridge case, Bullet, propellant, primer

Question 4

What is the traditional measuring unit for gunpowder and bullet mass?

Answer 4

The Grain

Question 5

How many Grains are in 1 gram?

Answer 5

15.4 grains

Question 6

How many Grams are in 15.4 grains

Answer 6

1 gram

Question 7

how many lbs are in 1 KG?

Answer 7

1 KG = 2.2 lbs

Question 8

How many grains are in 1 KG / 2.2 lbs?

Answer 8

15400 Grains

Question 9

What is a “Caliber”?

Answer 9

The caliber is the internal diammeter of the firearm barrel. But it is also the effective diammeter of the bullet that would fit into the barrel of that diameter. (nothing to do with the cartridge).

Question 10

What are the 3 systems of measurement for Calibers?

Answer 10

1) Metric e.g. 5.56mm
2) Imperial e.g. 0.223”
3) Caliber e.g. 223 cal

Question 11

All legally registered firearms in the UK have a proof mark, where are the two places in the United Kingdom you can obtain a proof mark?

Answer 11

The London or Birmingham proof house

Question 12

What are “Zip guns”?

Answer 12

Homemade Firearms that are very dangerous - very lethal and could explode on firing due to them being improvised and not made well

Question 13

What are the two main groups of Air weapons?

Answer 13

1) Spring
2) Pre-charged pneumatic (PCP)

Question 14

What are the two main categories of Machine guns?

Answer 14

1) Light
2) Heavy

Question 15

What are the classifications for firearms?

Answer 15

1) Manufacturer
2) Model
3) Class
4) Caliber

Question 16

What are class characteristics?

Answer 16

1) General firearms class
2) General dimensions (plus caliber and chambering)
3) Make and model
4) Shape of firing pin

Question 17

What are individual characteristics?

Answer 17

1) Serial numbers - on all major components of the firearm ( if unmodified all components of the firearm should bare the same serial number. if they don’t the firearm has been repaired or modified.
2) Proof marks - after undergoing the proofing process if they’re legally registered in the UK at some point in time.

Question 18

Where on a firearm are the serial numbers found?

Answer 18

The number is usually stamped into the various major components of the firearm - there are several databases that are international and record each serial number.

Question 19

What are Proof Markings for? and what is their reason?

Answer 19

before release or repair work, a firearm must be proofed.

in this process, the unit is stressed around 30% above its normal operating pressures.

it is done to ensure that the firearm can withstand the rigors of normal use and is therefore safe for intended use. (tested beyond its limits to ensure it is safe for regular use/limits).

proof marks are impressed into the action and other pressure bearing components.

it’s a criminal offence to sell a non proofed or out of proof firearm.

Question 20

What are the typical firearm components?

Answer 20

most common components of firearms:
1) Bolt
2) Breech face with firing pin window
3) extractor claw
4) chamber
5) ejector
6) slide
7) magazine
8) receiver

Question 21

What are the classes of Firearms?

Answer 21

PISTOLS - can be a revolver or semi-automatic: 5.5mm to 12.7mm

RIFLES - can be bolt action, semi-automatic or automatic: 4.5mm to 12.7mm

SUB MACHINE GUNS - small machine guns: automatic or selective: 9mm to 11.5mm

ASSAULT RIFLES - Military application: 5.56mm to 7.92mm

MACHINE GUNS - : 7.62mm to 20mm

SHOTGUNS - smooth bore: caliber is generally calculayed in a strange way

AIR WEAPONS - spring or compressed air: 4.5mm to 5.5mm

Question 22

What are the characteristics of a self loading pistol with a semi-automatic mechanism?

Answer 22

magazine fed

self loading after the initial cocking - relatively high rate of fire

can be Blowback or gas operated

Typically has a 7 to 33 round capacity magazine (**what pistol has a 33 round magazine?!!!!!)

generally lower energy than revolvers

fast reload

Question 23

What are the main components of a self loading pistol

Answer 23

Hammer
slide
ejection port
muzzle
mainspring cap
frame
trigger guard
trigger
magazine
grip safety

front sight
rear sight
slide lock
magazine release
grip panel
thumb safety

Question 24

What are revolvers?

Answer 24

they are named by the action - ammunition is held in a revolving cylinder, it has a slow reload time - have to manually place each cartridge into the revolving chamber/cylinder.

usually holds between 5 to 7 rounds (popular “six shooter”)

can be twice the energy of a semi automatic pistol

single shot mechanism - slow fire rate but powerful

double or single action mechanism

Question 25

What are the main components of a revolver?

Answer 25

Scope (maybe) adjustable rear sight hammer cylinder release grip trigger trigger guard cylinder crane ejector rod barrel muzzle front sight

Question 26

What are bolt action rifles?

Answer 26

they are highly accurate and powerful weapons 448 Lapua being one of the most powerful in current production low fire rate and medium reload speed magazine fed - 5 to 30 rounds standard military weapon until 1945 ww2 end now used for hunting/sport/tactical range from .17" varmint caliber (4.4mm) to .80" caliber in the case of anti tank rifles

Question 27

What are the main components of a bolt action rifle?

Answer 27

Monte Carlo bolt safety switch receiver scope barrel muzzle loading port tubular magazine ejection port bolt handle trigger trigger guard sling swivel stud butt plate toe heel stock grip

Question 28

What are sub machine guns?

Answer 28

they are magazine fed 30 to 100 round magazines can be either Blowback or gas operated high fire rate and fast reload can be inaccurate depending on design usually a similar energy to a self loading pistol almost always found in 9mm caliber

Question 29

What are the main components of a sub machine gun?

Answer 29

rear sight ejection port front sight barrel integrated silencer muzzle safety/selector trigger and trigger guard magazine pistol grip receiver

Question 30

What are assault rifles?

Answer 30

they are intermediate caliber firearms between heavy machine gun and sub machine gun they have a selective fire option: single shot, burst fire and automatic they're the go to for most military forces internationally accurate to a degree high power magazine fed - 20 to 40 rounds and usually gas operated

Question 31

What are the main components of an assault rifle?

Answer 31

Stock charging handle rear sight drum carrying handle ejection port slipring handguard front sight assembly barrel flash suppressor bayonet stud upper sling swivel dust cover magazine release button magazine trigger guard trigger pistol grip rear sling swivel rubber recoil pad

Question 32

what are shotguns?

Answer 32

most common firearm in private ownership very powerful at short ranges not capable of long range deliberately inaccurate (wide spread) semi auto typically caliber from 0.22" up to 2" low fire rate typically smooth bore

Question 33

What is a sawn off shotgun?

Answer 33

inaccurate low reload speed and fire rate shotgun small and easily concealed devastating at close range - especially if loaded with "SG" shot easily obtainable made by hand sawing off the barrel reducing the length - consequently increasing the spread of the projectiles.

Question 34

what are the main components of a shotgun?

Answer 34

stock grip heel toe comb sling swivel stud safety switch butt plate trigger and guard receiver bolt release for action bar lock double action bars magazine loading port magazine barrel fore-end magazine cap front sight muzzle

Question 35

what are machine guns?

Answer 35

military use only and the name is often used to characterise the weapons function within a platoon two main categories: light and heavy usually placed on a bi/tripod for stability as can have high recoil may be standalone or vehicle mounted distinguished from assault rifles by having a cooling system or interchangeable barrels.