FIREARMS PARTS AND COMPONENTS

Main components of a firearm

The key aspects of a firearm identification include the major components, including the working
mechanism both external and internal. Firearms can comprise hundreds of parts and components. The
more common parts include the barrel, magazine, hand guard, pistol grip, trigger and the trigger
guard. All firearms have a receiver, which is comprised of springs, levers and pistons. It is important
to differentiate between the key components of a firearm, and the other parts and components. The key
components of a firearm are those that are essential for the proper functioning and identification of a
firearm.

A key part of any firearm is the barrel. The projectile or bullet travels through the barrel by way of an
explosive charge. The barrel is linked to a receiver, which houses the operable parts of the firearm,
including a magazine which holds the ammunition. Below the description of the main firearms
components is provided followed by general anatomies of firearms where these components can be
identified and localized.

Summary of a firearm's parts and components

 Anatomy of a revolver Anatomy of a Semiautomatic-pistol

PARTS M16 RIFLE

ACTION OF WEAPON

Action of weapon refers to the firing system of a firearm, more specifically the physical mechanism
through which cartridges are loaded, locked and extracted as well as the firing frequency when the
trigger is actioned.

Five common types of action related to firearms

Single shot - Fires a single round from the barrel(s) for every depression of the trigger; requires
manual reloading of the barrel(s) after each shot.

General composition of a rifle Repeating - Fires a single round from the barrel(s) for every depression of the trigger; requires a
repetitive action for the reloading of the barrel(s) after each shot.
General composition of a sub-machine gun
Semi-automatic - Fires a single round for every depression of the trigger, and automatically cycles
between rounds (i.e. is self-loading).
Burst - Fires a small set of rounds for every depression of the trigger, and automatically cycles Direction - Regardless of whether or not your weapon is loaded, you should always keep the muzzle
between rounds with each trigger pull (i.e. is self-loading). pointed downrange. If you need to place the gun down on your bench, it should be unloaded and facing
the targets. Once you are ready to start shooting, only direct the muzzle at items you intend to hit.
(Fully) Automatic - Fires continually upon a depression of the trigger, until the trigger is released;
automatically cycles between rounds (i.e. is self-loading). Surroundings - Always be aware of your surroundings. You should pay attention to your actions and
the actions of other shooters on the range. If someone calls for a cease-fire, you need to be able to hear
it. Also, know your target and what’s beyond it. Even if your range has a reliable backstop in place, it’s
good practice to gain a clear understanding of your surroundings, especially when shooting at outdoor
Marksmanship – is the skillful art of shooting and hitting the target at a given range or known targets.
distance.
Shooting – an act of discharging firearms. Intention - When you’re in between rounds, your finger should be off the trigger until you intend to
shoot. This may be one of the best ways to prevent mistakes. If you keep your finger out of the trigger
PURPOSE OF MARKSMANSHIP TRAINING guard, there’s much less of a chance of an accidental discharge. As an added precaution, you may want
*To develop the ability to shoot quickly and accurately. to keep the safety on any time you aren’t ready to fire.
*To obtain proficiency in the use of any type of firearm for self defense.
*To enhance the ability in criminal combat fighting. Treatment - As a base rule, treat every firearm as if it is loaded at all times. Even if you’ve double
*To master the use of firearm under any or all conditions. checked the chamber, it’s best to continue handling it with the same regard you would a loaded
*To learn the technique of dismantling, assembling, caring and functioning of any firearm. weapon. Not only will it help you form good habits, but it will also ensure you never make the wrong
assumption accidentally.

THE FOUR BASIC RULES OF GUN SAFETY THE RANGE SAFETY OFFICER

1. Treat all firearms as if they are loaded. The job of range safety office is to ensure every shooter is following the rules, observing proper
Even if you're absolutely certain a gun is unloaded, still follow these rules for safe gun handling. You etiquette and operating their firearms safely. Often, they will yell out commands, such as to initiate
want these rules to be natural habits; holding yourself to them each and every time helps make them cease-fires or tell shooters when it’s okay to continue their session.
so.
As long as you follow the range rules and pay attention to officers when they call out orders, you
2. Never let the muzzle of the gun point at anything you do not intend to shoot. should be able to avoid problems. If you are doing something improperly and don’t realize it, the RSO
Never point your gun at anything you do not intend to shoot. This is particularly important when will let you know. If you notice someone else is being unsafe, don’t try to coach them. Notify the RSO
loading or unloading a firearm. In the event of an accidental discharge, no injury can occur as long as so they can take care of it.
the muzzle is pointing in a safe direction. Make it a habit to know exactly where the muzzle of your
gun is pointing at all times, and be sure that you are in control of the direction the muzzle is pointing,
EQUIPMENTS TO BRING IN SHOOTING RANGE
even if you fall or stumble. This is your responsibility, and only you can control it.
Shooting bag – Shooting bag make transport and storage more manageable and ensure all of your
3. Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to fire.
belongings are in their designated place. By keeping firearms, ammunition and safety gear together,
Never touch the trigger on a firearm until you actually intend to shoot. Keep your fingers away from
you’ll know where your equipment is at all times.
the trigger while loading or unloading. Never pull the trigger on any firearm with the safety on the
“safe” position or anywhere in between “safe” and “fire.” It is possible that the gun can fire at any
Gun case - The safest way to transport your firearm is in a case. Walking into a range with an
time, or even later when you release the safety, without you ever touching the trigger again.
unprotected weapon will make even the staff uncomfortable. You can either stow the case in a
shooting bag or transport it separately. Before you pack it up, be sure to unload your gun and lock the
4. Be sure of your target and what is around it.
action open. Always unpack and load your firearm according to range rules.
Don’t shoot unless you know exactly what your shot is going to strike. Be sure that your bullet will not
injure anyone or anything beyond your target. You should keep in mind how far a bullet will travel if it Eye protection – Wearing proper safety glasses are a crucial piece of equipment to bring. It will
misses your intended target or ricochets in another direction. prevent debris from getting in your eyes and makes you more comfortable shooting even in the
presence of sunlight.
THE UNIVERSAL RULES OF GUN SAFETY
Hearing protection - A single gunshot can cause permanent hearing damage. To protect your hearing,
you should wear foam earplugs or earmuffs while shooting. THE SHOOTING FUNDAMENTALS

Shooting Gloves - These provide a better grip on your firearm, protect your hands from hot barrels and 1. STANCE
spent casings, and help reduce recoil impact. Stance is the first fundamental for every shot. Stance refers to the position of your feet and body in
relation to the target. The shooting stance is one of the fundamental components to making sure you
Targets - Bring along a variety of targets to keep your practice sessions interesting and challenging. have a good platform for operating a firearm. Having your body positioned properly allows you to be
steady regardless of what and how you are shooting.
Ammunition - Ensure you have enough rounds for your practice session.

Repair and maintenance kit - Bringing a small kit will ensure that you have what you need to keep Three basic shooting stances
your gun functioning properly while you practice.
Isosceles - isosceles stance is named after an isosceles triangle (a triangle in which two sides have the
RANGE COMMON TERMINOLOGIES same length). In this case, the two sides are the shooter’s arms while the base of the triangle is the
shooter’s chest. A proper isosceles stance includes feet shoulder-width apart (or slightly wider) with
Just like learning to handle a firearm, getting the hang of range language is key to a smooth and safe toes pointed at the target. A slight bend of the knees and forward lean is common while in this stance.
shooting experience. Here’s a quick rundown of some common shooting range terms you’ll hear on the The arms are to be extended, forming the isosceles triangle.
range.

Firing Line - This is the line shooters stand behind when firing their guns. Crossing the firing line
while the range is ‘hot’ (more on that later) can be dangerous and is typically not allowed. Keep all
loaded guns pointed downrange when you’re at the firing line.

Downrange - Refers to the direction in which the guns are fired. If someone says “look downrange,”
they mean look towards the targets.

Commence Firing - Green light to start shooting at your targets. Always wait for this command before
starting to shoot.

Ceasefire - Stop shooting right away. Carefully place your firearm down on the bench and step back
from it. This command is crucial for safety and must be followed promptly every time it’s called out.

Hot / Cold Range - A ‘hot’ range means that live firing is taking place. A ‘cold’ range means all
shooting has stopped, and it’s safe to go downrange to check or set up targets.

Backstop - The material or structure that’s used to safely absorb or redirect bullets after they hit the Weaver – weaver stance is for the action shooter with both hands on the gun. The feet are at an angle
target. It’s crucial for preventing stray bullets. to the target, the strong arm is straight, and the weak arm is bent. The weaver stance helps lock in the
upper body and provides tension in the pistol grip for better recoil control.
Lane – S hooting lane is a space where one person stands to shoot their firearm. Each shooter has their
own lane.

Bench - The bench is the table or stand where shooters rest their firearms and ammunition when not
firing. Always unload your gun before placing it on the bench.
Chapman Stance - referred to as the “modified Weaver stance”. The Chapman stance replaces the 5. Breathing
Weaver’s two bent elbows with a straight gun-side elbow and a bent support-side elbow. Like the In any type of shooting, breath control is extremely important. In general, it’s good to keep a calm,
Weaver stance, the Chapman employs a push/pull grip component. regular breath throughout your preparation, aim, and fire. This helps to:
2. Grip
When it comes to grip, the most important thing to remember is that you want to grip with enough
strength to prevent the pistol from moving during the shot but relaxed enough so that your hand
doesn’t shake from the pressure. Here are some tips for better gun grip:

Make a “v” with your dominant hand; your thumb should be on one side and all the other fingers on
the other.
The gun is placed in the center of the v with the middle, ring, and pinky fingers wrapped around the
pistol’s grip.
Place the area between the joint and the tip of the index finger pad on the trigger. Do not over insert the
finger; otherwise, it may cause the other fingers to move and interfere with your shot when you
squeeze the trigger.

Firing a gun with correct grip & stance.

3. Sight Alignment
Sight alignment refers to the process of lining up the rear and front sights on the gun. For a well-aimed
shot, the shooter must pay attention to the rear sight aperture and how it lines up with the front sight,
with most of the focus on the front sight post. The actual target will appear blurry if done correctly as
the shooter’s attention is focused on the front sight post.

Not all guns have sight-aligned requirements for accuracy, such as red dot sights, which emit an
illuminated dot, or a prism sight where the sight places target objects in a circle for aim. If there are no
sights to align, the shooter then focuses on a sight picture to prepare the shot.

4. Sight Picture
Any shooter who wants a well-aimed shot must have the correct sight picture1. The sight picture is the
image seen when the sights align with the target. This is true for all types of sights when holding a
rifle, handgun, or any other firearm. Sight picture does not rely on the natural ability to shoot. Instead,
the shooter utilizes a precise system to center objects in preparation for a shot.
Oxygenate the blood – Regular breathing adequately oxygenates the blood, which sharpens vision and
keeps you alert.
Relaxes the nerves – Regular breaths help to relax the muscles and nerves for optimal shots.
Steady movement – Prevent jerky movements and forced breathing that can quickly mess up your shot.
The optimal moment to pull the trigger is when your breathing cycle reaches a natural pause, like at the
end of an exhale. Your aiming breath should be calm and consistent, and the ideal shot fits into your
breathing rhythm.

It’s not a good idea to hold your breath in or force your breath out. This can create unnecessary tension
in your chest muscles or make your body feel like it needs to gasp for air. Working with your natural
breathing rhythm allows for a more relaxed shot with less tension and movement in the body.
6. Trigger Control The most challenging position, standing, requires both a great deal of practice and careful attention to
Trigger control involves pressing the trigger to complete the shot without upsetting your sight observing the firing fundamentals.
alignment. There are two main issues when it comes to proper trigger control:
*Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, pointing slightly away from the target. Keep your legs
Pulling – Pulling the gun is caused by placing too much finger on the trigger, causing a hooked finger straight and knees soft.
that pulls the gun to the side when the shot is discharged. This causes your shot to hit to the right of the
target. *Right-handed shooters will
support the firearm with the left
Pushing – Pushing is caused by too little finger in the gun, which creates a side push of the trigger hand and arm, and vice versa.
instead of straight back, producing a shot that will be hitting left of the target. Position the supporting arm
The ideal trigger control position allows for independent movement of the index finger with trigger perpendicular to the firearm,
contact on the finger’s pad. This part of the finger is most sensitive and allows for accurate control and with the forearm resting in the
discharge of the gun. supporting palm. The
supporting elbow may rest on
Errors in trigger control your hip or rib cage.

Flinching – muscular tension or reaction in anticipation of the recoil. It is cause by moving the head, Kneeling
closing the eyes, moving the shoulder to the rear or combination. With only one arm braced, the
kneeling position is less steady
Jerking – an attempt to make the pistol fire at a certain instant by rapidly applying pressure on the than the prone and sitting
trigger. positions.

Heeling – pushing out on the grips of the weapon with the heel of the hand, in anticipation of the recoil
of the weapon.

Failure to lock the wrist and elbow – affects consistent accuracy and may cause to jerk and heel the
weapon as you fire.

Improper breathing control – causes the shots to spread out on the target from top to bottom. Sitting
Both arms are supported by your legs. Next to the
7. Follow Through prone position, this is the steadiest position.
Once you’ve discharged the gun, you want to be sure to follow through with each shot. Follow-through
is when you end the shot by keeping the trigger finger fully depressed until your gun has completed
recoil and the shooter’s sights are back on the target. Once your sights are back on target, then you can
release the trigger.

Follow-through is especially important when more than one shot or sustained fire is the goal. With
each follow-through, focusing on trigger control, breath, grip, and aim prevents the shooter from
abandoning the shot too early, as well as returning to a pre-firing position to prepare for the next shot. Prone
The prone position is the steadiest of the four positions. Because it’s the easiest to hold, it’s the best
position for mastering the fundamentals of shooting—aiming, breath control, trigger squeeze, and
follow-through.
THE FOUR MOST COMMON POSITION IN RIFLE
SHOOTING

Standing