Firearms Examination Review

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to firearms examination.

Forensic Firearms Examination

The analysis of firearms and ammunition to provide evidence in criminal investigations.

Rifling

The spiral grooves impressed into the barrel of a firearm which cause the projectile to spin.

Double-Action Revolver

A type of handgun that can be discharged in both double-action and single-action modes.

Semi-Automatic Pistol

A pistol that automatically loads the next round after firing, requiring one trigger pull per shot.

Bolt-Action Rifle

A type of rifle where the action is operated by manually lifting and pulling back the bolt.

Shotgun

A firearm with a smooth bore that shoots shells containing multiple projectiles or a single slug.

Gauge

A measurement used to classify shotguns, related to the diameter of the smooth shotgun bore.

Bore

The interior of the barrel through which the projectile travels.

Firing Pin

A pin that strikes the primer of a cartridge to initiate ignition.

Class Characteristics

Properties of a firearm that can be measured and compared, such as caliber and the number of lands and grooves.

Primer

A component in a cartridge that ignites the gunpowder when struck by the firing pin.

Wad

A plastic or paper cup that holds the shot in a shotgun shell.

Cut Rifling

A method of rifling that produces sharp edges on the lands and grooves of the barrel.

Polygonal Rifling

A type of rifling with rounded edges on the lands and grooves.

Trigger Guard

A protective piece surrounding the trigger to prevent accidental discharges.

Cylinder

The part of a revolver that holds the ammunition and rotates during firing.

Muzzle

The front end of the barrel where the projectile exits.

Magazine

A container that holds ammunition in a repeating firearm.