Origin of the word “GUN”
– includes all rifles, revolvers, pistols, muskets, shotguns, carbines and all other deadly weapons from which a projectile maybe discharged.
Firearms (Legal)
– used in the propulsion of projectile by means of expansive force of gases from burning gunpowder
Firearms (Technical)
designed to be fired from the shoulder
Rifle
smoothbore FA designed to shoot single pellet.
Musket
smoothbore FA designed to shoot several pellets
Shotgun
a handgun with rotating cyclinder. Kinds are Solid Frame (S.Colt), Swing-out (US), and Breaktop (UK). As to firing mechanism, it could be single or double action.
Revolver
– a handgun that could be semi-auto or auto/full auto. Processes include: loading, cocking and firing
Pistol
(Cal 2.7mm, 5 shots) is the smallest pistol in the World, made in 1914.
Kolibri auto pistol
– now, considered the most powerful handgun in the world. It replaced Magnum .44.
Caliber .50
– a caliber .30 smooth-bore FA invented by David “Carbine” William having a barrel of not more than 22 inches.
. Carbine
– a FA that requires manually cocking the hammer before pressure upon the trigger when firing.
Single action
– a FA in which pressure upon the trigger automatically releases the hammer. This cycle is done every time the trigger is depressed.
Double action
no rifling (lands and groove) such as Shotguns, muskets and liberator
Smooth-bore FA
contain rifling inside the barrel such as pistols, revolvers and rifles.
Rifled-bore FA
– include FA with one inch or less bore diameter. Examples: Shoulder arms, Handguns & Machine Guns.
Small arms
more than one inch bore diameter. Examples: Cannons, Mortars, etc.
Artillery
– these were set even before the manufacture of FAs. These are factory specifications.
Class Characteristics
– are determined after the manufacture of FA.
Individual Characteristics
Significant Features of Class Characteristics
Causes of Individual Characteristics
– shoot only one shot
Single shot firearms
– loaded with more than one cartridge in the chamber
Repeating arms
breech closure is in line with the bore at all times.
Bolt action type