Rifles and Shotguns

lever-action

has shorter barrel lighter to carry easy to operate for follow-up shots good for hunting in thick brush most lever actions have a *loading gate* where cartridges are pushed into a tubular magazine

bolt action

high accuracy, strongest action. Operation: move bolt handle up and back to open action. when bolt is moved forward it picks up a fresh cartridge. when bolt is fully forward push down on it to lock the bolt in place. engage safety and you gooooood. after firing a shot, lift bolt handle and pull towards you to eject the spent cartridge from the chamber. *when loading, ENGAGE SAFETY, keep muzzle pointed in safe direction* *only check if your firearm is loaded by looking in the CHAMBER*

semi-automatic

This type of action is used in both shotguns and rifles. Many hunters find this firearm a pleasure to shoot due to its reduced recoil. After the trigger is pulled and a round is fired, the action opens automatically, the spent ammunition is ejected, a new round is chambered, the action closes and the firearm is ready to be fired again. This sequence repeats each time the trigger is pulled. The action may remain open automatically when all ammunition stored in the magazine and chamber has been fired.

pump action

Used in both shotguns and rifles, pump action allows a hunter to quickly eject and chamber new ammunition. It is typically loaded from the bottom into a tubular magazine. The action is opened when the forearm is pulled back to the rear of the firearm. Pushing the forearm forward moves the ammunition from the magazine into the chamber and closes the action so that the firearm is loaded and ready to be fired. On most pump-actions, a slide lever located by the trigger guard releases the action so you can inspect the chamber or unload the firearm.

sight

an alignment device to help aim the firearm. Photo shows a open sight. other types include bead, peep or aperture, and telescopic

Three main parts of a riffle or shotgun

barrel, stock and action

action

consists of a series of parts that load, fire, and eject a cartridge or shot shell from a firearm

Break action

his firearm is available in single-barrel or double-barrel styles and is ideal for novice hunters due to the limit it places on shots per use. Most firearms with this type of action feature two barrels placed either side-by-side or in an over-and-under configuration. For loading, push on the action release lever and pivot the barrels down. The chamber will then be separated from the stock and firing mechanism so ammunition can be inserted. Once you close the action and release the safety, the firearm is ready for firing. After firing, press the release lever to open the action and eject the spent cartridge or shotshell. Some break-actions have automatic ejectors, others require that you manually remove the spent cartridge or shotshell. Break actions for rifles and shotguns may be designed to accommodate a wide variety of interchangeable barrels for rimfire and centerfire ammunition. Important! Some break-action firearms have an exposed hammer. Be extremely careful when lowering the hammer to a half-cocked position.

muzzle

opening at the end of the barrel. exit of projectile

forestock

part of the stock in front of the trigger that supports the barrel

stock

supports the *action* and the *barrel* made of wood or synthetic material can be one or two pieces

barrel

tube-shaped part where ammunition is fired. inside of barrel is called the bore