Glossary

The opposite of the backstrap or the area on a pistol grip frame that faces forward and often joins with the trigger guard.

The front sight the spot at the muzzle end of the barrel, often in the form of a high-visibility dot or a metal blade and made to align with the rear sight to give the shooter their aiming point.

The part of a firearm in which is housed the hammer, bolt or breechblock, and the firing mechanism.

Feet per Second – the speed of the bullet in flight.

The most important rules for all shooters and hunters everywhere to know by heart:

• 1. Treat every single firearm as if it were loaded and ready to fire.
• 2. Never point a firearm at anything that you do not wish to destroy.
• 3. Never put your finger on the trigger until you have put your sights on the target and made the decision to fire.
• 4. Be certain of your target and what is beyond it.

A shot fired through a clean rifle barrel to put that barrel into a 'dirty' state from which it was fired clean. It is said that subsequent shots after a fouling shot give a better indication of accuracy from the first shot.

A layer of buildup that accumulates in a gun’s bore as a result of the firing process. Mostly made of carbon, lead, copper, and wax, it can interfere with a gun’s accuracy if not cleaned out regularly.

The part of the stock forward of the action and below the barrel and intended to give the shooter a grip on the front of the gun and protect the shooter's hand from the heat of the barrel.

Follow through occurs when the shooter maintains aim, breath control, hold control and trigger control until after the shot, the recoil, and the gun has settled back into position.

The stock of a long gun that can be conveniently double over to store or save space.

Full Metal Jacket, or a round of ammunition where the lead bullet is entirely surrounded by a metal casing or 'jacket.'

A bullet that is made with a flat nose rather than a rounded one.

This attachment lessens the flash of light as a round exits a gun’s barrel by allowing hot air and gas to escape. It attaches directly to the end of a firearm’s barrel.

Fixed ammunition is when the projectile is permanently attached to a case that contains the primer and the propellant in distinction from other separate-loading ammunition.

The firing pin block is a mechanical device used in semi-automatic firearms and some revolvers that, when at rest, obstructs forward travel of the firing pin.