Firearm terminology

thumb|250px|An early naval cannon, which is allowed to roll backwards slightly when fired, and therefore must be tethered with strong ropes

A bullpup firearm is one with its firing grip located in front of the breech of the weapon, instead of behind it. This creates a weapon with a shorter overall length for a given barrel length, and one that is often lighter, more compact, concealable, and more maneuverable than a conventionally configured firearm. Where it is desirable for troops to be issued a more compact weapon, the use of a bullpup configuration allows for barrel length to be retained, thus preserving muzzle velocity, range, and ballistic effectiveness.

thumb|right|275px|A L16 81mm Mortar|81mm L16 smoothbore mortar

type of pistol

muzzle device designed to counter recoil while firing by diverting gases

cavity at the back end of a breechloader's barrel or cylinder in which the cartridge is inserted before being fired

category of firearms fired from the shoulder, either with a rifled or smoothbore barrel

type of firearm action

right|thumb|350px|A homemade '''''' () is an Italian word used to refer to a sawn-off shotgun of the break-action type. It is traditionally associated with the Sicilian Mafia for their use of it in vendettas, defense, and hunting.

ammunition component for holding sub-caliber projectiles aligned

light created by gunfire

aircraft armament component

firearm mechanisms where the bolt is in the rearward position (open) when ready to fire

A tapered constriction of the muzzle on a firearm barrel to change the shot spread

distance at which a firearm or projectile can be fired directly at its target and hit

firearms mechanism that moves cartridges and/or seals the breech

instrument used to measure the velocity of a projectile fired from a firearm

type of sight which illuminates a laser beam on the target

Swivel gun with loading chamber at the back

Primer system designed by Edward Maynard

firearm mechanisms where the bolt is in the forward position (closed or locked, depending on mechanism) when ready to fire

thumb|right|A Smith & Wesson Model 66 revolver, displayed with two speedloaders

thumb|.32 ACP full metal jacket, [[.32 S&W Long wadcutter, .380 ACP jacketed hollow point (L-R)]] A wadcutter is a special-purpose flat-fronted bullet specifically designed for shooting paper targets, usually at close range and at subsonic velocities typically under approximately . Wadcutters have also found favor for use in self-defense guns, such as .38 caliber snubnosed revolvers, due to shorter barrel lengths, lower bullet velocities, and improved lethality. Wadcutters are often used in handgun and airgun competitions.

287px|right|thumb|Metal target used for plinking Plinking is informal target shooting done for leisure, typically at non-standard targets such as tin cans, logs, bottles, balloons, fruits or any other man-made or naturally occurring objects. The term is an onomatopoeia of the sharp, ringing sound (or "plink") that a projectile makes when hitting a metallic target such as a tin can or a road sign plate.

REDIRECT Blowback_(firearms)#Delayed_blowback

unexpected delay after firearm triggering

the tightness of an impact pattern by several projectiles

glossary

Firearm malfunction

thumb|Colt Single Action Army hammer at half cock Half-cock is when the position of the hammer of a firearm is partially—but not completely—cocked. Many firearms, particularly older firearms, had a notch cut into the hammer allowing half-cock, as this position would neither allow the gun to fire nor permit the hammer-mounted firing pin to rest on a live percussion cap or cartridge. The purpose of the half-cock position has variously been used either for loading a firearm, as a quasi-safety mechanism, or for both reasons. The still commonly used English expression of "going off half-cocked" der

practice of securing two or more firearm magazines together with tape, clamps or other means

Obturation is the necessary barrel blockage or fit in a firearm or airgun created by a deformed soft projectile. A bullet or pellet made of soft material and often with a concave base will flare under the heat and pressure of firing, filling the bore and engaging the barrel's rifling. The mechanism by which an undersized soft-metal projectile enlarges to fill the barrel is, for hollow-base bullets, expansion from gas pressure within the base cavity and, for solid-base bullets, "upsetting"—the combined shortening and thickening that occurs when a malleable metal object is struck forcibly at one

type of firearm action

method of bringing a firearm fully into battery