Pat Thomas LEO BRC 427 Firearms

Scrape

Indentation in the case that may weaken the case wall. Makes a layer of the case wall metal look as if it has been scratched or torn away.

Corrosion

Layering of the case with oxidation or foreign material, such as mold, fungi layers, congealed oil, and lubricants.

Reaction Time

The time taken to distinguish a deadly threat from a nondeadly threat and then take appropriate action.

Threat Assessment

Upon arriving at the scene, scan the area for possible problems, including additional treats. Your senses of sight, sound, smell, and touch increase your awareness of your surroundings.

malfunction

a condition that prevents a weapon from operating normally.

frozen cylinder

a cylinder that does not rotate.

double action only

a firearm in which every round fires double action with the hammer at rest against the rear of the slide.

single-action

a firearm in which the hammer must be cocked before the weapon can be fired.

gauge

a measurement of shotgun bores derived from the number of bore-sized balls of lead per pound.

double/single

a pistol in which the hammer must be manually cocked and the first round fires double action but the subsequent rounds fire single action.

barricade position

a position behind cover.

handgun

a revolver or semiautomatic pistol.

rifled slug

a single, hollow lead bullet that weighs from 7/8 to 1 1/8 ounce. It is a .72 caliber with an effective range of approx. 100 yards.

failure to eject (stovepipe)

a weapon malfunction that occurs when a fired round does not completely eject.

squib load

a weapon malfunction that occurs when a lack of powder or a partial burn of powder causes the primer to ignite.

stacked feed

a weapon malfunction that occurs when a round is in the chamber and the action is closed.

failure to extract

a weapon malfunction that occurs when a spent casing remains in the chamber while a new cartridge enters the chamber.

failure to feed

a weapon malfunction that occurs when the cartridge fails to feed into the chamber.

failure to fire

a weapon malfunction that occurs when the trigger is pulled, but the round fails to detonate.

double feed(pistol/rifle)

a weapon malfunction which is caused by a failure to extract the round in the chamber and a new round being fed from the magazine well.

concealment

an object or group of objects that creates a visual barrier between an officer and a threat but may not stop a projectile.

cover

anything that creates a bullet-resistant barrier between an officer and a threat.

round

complete ammunition cartridge that contains all parts of ammunition; a military term meaning one single cartridge.

breath control

important in the aiming process. Breathing while trying to aim causes the handgun to move vertically along with the rise and fall of your chest.

birdshot

is normally used for bird hunting or practice.

headstamp

markings found on the head of ammunition that indicate caliber or gauge and identify manufacturer.

double feed (shotgun)

occurs when the shell stop fails to retain a shell in the magazine tube after one has been moved onto the carrier. The action will not close.

bullet

portion of the cartridge that becomes a projectile when in flight.

powder

propellant used in most firearms; produces a large volume of gas when ignited.

trigger control

results when the trigger finger pulls the trigger straight back with increasing yet constant and steady pressure until the firearm discharges.

primer

small, metal cup containing the detonating mixture used to ignite the propellant or powder charge.

shot(shotgun)

spherical pellets of various sizes, usually made of lead.

tactical reload

technique used to reload in a tactical situation.

shooting hand

the dominant or strong hand that is used to fire a gun.

rim

the edge on the base of a cartridge case that stops the progress of the case into the chamber.

respiratory pause

the extended pause between breaths, which is the optimum time to fire the shot.

support hand

the hand that assists the shooting hand.

follow-through

the maintenance of sight alignment before, during, and after firing a round.

caliber

the measurement used to identify different cartridge sizes.

case/casings

the metal or plastic container that holds all parts of a round of ammunition: primer, powder charge, and bullet.

wad(shotgun)

the only part not found in any other center fire cartridge; this is used to seal/confine gases; can be made of plastic or compressed cardboard.

crimp(shotgun only)

the part of the case mouth that bends inward to grip the bullet; with shotgun shells, the term applies to the closure at the case mouth.

stance

the posture a shooter assumes while firing a shot.

shelf life

the recommended time that ammunition can be expected to be reliable, from manufacture time to issue time.

duty life

the recommended time that ammunition can be expected to be reliable.

sight picture

the relationship between the eye, front sight, rear sight, and target.

sight alignment

the relationship of the front sight and rear sight with the shooter's eye.

double-aught buckshot (00 buckshot)

the standard 2 3/4 inch shell contains nine .33 caliber lead pellets.

point shooting

the technique used when a shooter cannot use the sights on the weapon or he or she has no time to align the sight properly; the firearm is viewed as an extension of the arm and pointed at the target.

Threat Recognition

Ability to distinguish a deadly threat from a nondeadly threat.

Puncture

Actual tear, detachment, or rip that looks like an opening in the case body.

FS 790.174

Addresses requirements for storing firearms safely (F.S).

Reloads

Cartridges that have been prepared using previously fired brass cases.

Dent

Dimple or depression in the case.