Rifle Basics: Identifying parts and

functions
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Each category of firearm has its own distinct uses and limitations. No
other type of firearm has as wide a range of applications as the rifle.
The weapon of choice in military combat deployments, it's rugged,
almost indestructible and capable of hitting targets from ten feet to
hundreds of yards away. It can fire a single round or multiple rounds
with a single squeeze of the trigger. It is a shoulder-mounted weapon,
making it relatively light and portable.

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A sub-category used in both the military and police SWAT operations is
the sniper rifle. These rifles are extremely accurate at long distances
when used by a highly trained operator.

Rifles also have several applications in the civilian world. They are the
choice of many hunters — especially big game hunters. While a
shotgun will bring down a deer, it is wise to use a rifle when hunting
bears or other large game animals. The added distance the rifle
provides allows hunters to harvest an unapproachable animal from a
greater distance.

Rifles are also used in competition shooting. From boy scouts learning
basic skills with BB guns all the way up to nationally ranked athletes
competing in Olympic 50 meter rifle competitions, rifles are a go-to
weapon at all skill levels.

Semi-automatic & Fully Automatic Rifles

The best known and most recognizable combat weapon is the M-16 or
its civilian model AR-15.
The Military model M-16 and civilian model AR-15 semiautomatic rifles
have the same basic parts with a few exceptions. The M-16 is also
capable of switching from semi to fully automatic.

Muzzle compensator or flash suppressor:

Starting at the front of the barrel will be either the muzzle
compensator or flash suppressor. As the weapon is fired the muzzle
compensator redirects the hot gases leaving the barrel in specific
directions to lessen muzzle movement and recoil. The flash suppressor
is configured so the hot gases leaving the barrel are disrupted with
cooler air, limiting the burst of visible light aiding in concealment.

The handguard:
The handguard covers the rear portion of the barrel. The handguard
encircles the barrel allowing the shooter to have a slip-resistant fore-
grip that protects the shooter's hand from the hot barrel.

The carry handle:

The carry handle is located on the top of the weapon behind the
handguard. As the name suggests the carry handle allows the weapon
to be carried with one hand.

The charging Handle:

The charging handle is located behind the carry handle, just below the
rear sight, and is used to charge the weapon. Pulling this handle
rearward and releasing it will charge the weapon by loading a
cartridge into the firing chamber.

Front and rear sights:

Both the front post and the rear ghost ring sights are adjustable. On
the rifle range, this adjustment is commonly referred to as zeroing the
weapon.

The magazine well:

Below the carry handle is a rectangular opening called the magazine
well. This will accept a loaded magazine.

The magazine button:

A magazine release button, also called the magazine catch button, is
located on the back of the magazine well. This button releases a
locked magazine from the weapon so it may be replaced and locks the
fresh magazine in place.

The bolt catch:

Behind the magazine well is the bolt-catch lever. This locks the bolt
back in the open breech position after the last round in the magazine
is fired. Once a fresh magazine is loaded, the bolt catch is depressed,
releasing the bolt and closing the weapon's firing chamber.
The selector lever:
Behind the bolt catch is the selector lever. This lever will differ
between civilian and military models. Both will have a position for
single fire, meaning the weapon will fire one round when the trigger is
pulled. Both will also have a safe position. When in this position, the
weapon will not fire. On military models, the lever may have a full-auto
position or a three-round burst mode. In the full-auto position, one
squeeze of the trigger will fire multiple rounds. When in three-round-
burst mode, the weapon will fire up to three rounds with each trigger
squeeze.

Stocks and hand-grips:

Many different configurations exist, from fixed stocks to collapsible
stocks depending on the type and purpose of the weapon. Rifle grips
will also vary from pistol grips on military-type weapons to stock grips
on many sporting rifles.

The biggest advantage of this class of weapon is the ease of firing

numerous rounds very quickly.

Bolt-action Rifles

Both competition and big game hunting rifles have one thing in
common: they both use bolt-action rifles. Bolt-action rifles can't fire
multiple rounds as quickly as semi-automatics, but when extreme
accuracy matters, the answer is the bolt action rifle.

Stock:
Bolt-action rifles will have a fixed or adjustable buttstock. Being a
highly accurate weapon the weld between the shooter's body and the
weapon is critical. The stock must allow for a very secure and stable
shooting platform.

Butt Plate:
Also known as the recoil pad, it's the part that comes in direct contact
with the shooter. As the weapon is fired the recoil forces will be
transferred from the gun to the shooter through the recoil pad. Many of
these pads are made of hard rubber to absorb a portion of the recoil
force.

Bolt Handle:
Unlike the semi-automatic, the bolt-action rifle will require the shooter
to manually operate the bolt. The bolt handle will be lifted, which
unlocks the bolt from the chamber. It will then be pulled to the rear,
opening the chamber and extracting a spent cartridge, if one is
present. The bolt will then be pushed forward, which will remove a
new cartridge from the magazine and place it in the firing chamber.
The final action is to lower the bolt handle, locking the bolt into a
secure firing position.
Bolt-action internal magazine:
Larger caliber bolt-action rifles have an internal magazine. The rifle is
loaded by bringing the bolt fully to the rear open position. The shooter
then places cartridges into the open breech area and presses down
into a spring-loaded magazine.

Magazine floor plate:

This is a hinged metal plate at the bottom of the receiver, which
allows access to the magazine and covers the loading port in some
bolt-action rifles.

Manual safety:
The safety mechanism will vary by manufacturer, but the most
common location for the safety on bolt-action rifles is just behind the
back of the bolt.

Sighting system:
While iron sights are available, because of the bolt-action rifle's
accuracy, they are often replaced with optics better suited for longer
distances. Most shooters prefer the enhanced sight picture that the
fixed optics of a rifle scope give them. Rifle scopes are available in
many different magnifications allowing a hunter to more clearly
identify an intended target. Additionally, the crosshairs, elevation, and
windage lines of a rifle scope allow the shooter to compensate for
both wind and distance.

Lever-action Rifles
Many consider the lever-action rifle to be the gun that won the west.
The unique action has not fallen out of favor with all hunters. However,
there are some drawbacks, especially when compared to bolt-action
rifles. The inner workings of the lever-action are a bit more complex
than bolt-action rifles and many are more difficult to disassemble and
clean. The fact that the magazine is a tubular design limits the
ammunition used. Many of today's loads have a pointy bullet tip. When
loaded in a tubular magazine, the point of the bullet is resting under
spring-tension against the primer of the next round.

Taking all of this into consideration many hunters still swear that
there is nothing like the Winchester model 94 to bring out the inner
cowboy in us all.

The following parts are unique to most lever-action rifles.

The lever:
The lever is both a cocking lever and the trigger guard on many
models. To work the action, the shooter pulls the lever down and
forward. This forces the bolt to the rear and extracts any spent
cartridge. The shooter then pulls the lever back and up to load the
next round.

The lifter:
The lifter is a mechanism that lifts one cartridge from the end of the
tubular magazine placing it into position to be loaded. This occurs
during the forward movement of the cocking lever. The lever's second
movement back and up loads the cartridge into the chamber.

Tubular magazine:
This fixed tube holds cartridges lined up in a row under the barrel.

The follower:
This spring-loaded plunger mechanism keeps tension on the cartridges
pushing them back toward the lifter.

No matter what a shooter's needs are, there is a rifle to meet the

challenge. The semi-automatics and automatic rifles are able to
deliver maximum firepower with excellent accuracy. If extreme
accuracy is needed for competition shooting or long-range hunting,
then the bolt-action rifle is the best choice. Finally, if the lever-action
appeals to a shooter's sense of adventure, many fine lever-action rifles
are widely available.
Popular Pistol Calibers
Common Rifle Calibers
Different Bullet Tips (L TO R: FMJ, Soft, Open, Ballistic)

Bullet Size & Caliber

First!

For guns, “caliber” means the diameter of the barrel and thus the diameter of the
bullet that is going through it. Usually in inches or mm.

Also for terminology’s sake, “bullet” just means the metal projectile, while the
entire thing is called a cartridge.
 Parts of a Bullet
Cartridge
Here are some common 9mm bullets.
9mm (115gr vs 124gr vs 147gr)

Rimfire vs. Centerfire

The first differentiator is between rimfire and centerfire cartridges.

The rimfire’s primer is built into the rim while the centerfire cartridge has the
primer in the center. Pro tip…if you can see a circle in the middle…it’s a centerfire
cartridge.
Rimfire (First 2 on the Left) vs Centerfire Cartridges
Rimfires are extremely cheap (a few cents each) and the .22 LR is the most
popular rimfire caliber.
.22LR (CCI vs Winchester vs Super Colibri)
This animation shows how the firing pin hits the primer in a cartridge.

Centerfire vs Rimfire Primer

Here are some expended casings from a rimfire vs centerfire.
Rimfire vs Centerfire Primer Strike

Common Bullet Calibers

To make things a little more confusing, there’s a mixture of measurements
in inches and millimeters.
62gr XM855 vs 77gr SMK vs 55gr FMJ
More Common Bullet Calibers
.22 LR
The “twenty-two” long rifle is the most common caliber in terms of units sold.
.22LR Round
It has a bullet weight of around 30 to 40 grains and is extremely mild shooting in
both pistols and rifles.

The recoil is almost non-existent, which makes it a great starter round for
someone who has never shot a gun or is uncomfortable with the noise.
.380 ACP Round
9mm

9mm Round (115gr)

9mm (115gr vs 124gr vs 147gr)

Ballistics Gel Testing

9mm 147 Federal Hydrashok HST, Our Favorite Self-Defense Round
.40 S&W

.40 S&W Round

.45 ACP

.45 ACP (230gr)

Designed in 1904 by Mr. John Browning himself for the famous 1911 pistol, this
round has one heck of a history.
Rock Island Armory 1911 GI Midsize
This thing is a big bullet with stopping power to spare.

The choice of many police officers and military personnel for years, the .45 caliber
round has proven itself time and time again. I could probably do an entire article
on just this bullet.
9mm vs .45 ACP
7.62x39mm
5.56 vs 7.62x39mm
.223 / 5.56x45mm

5.56 Round
The 5.56 has higher pressures than the .223, so .223 rounds can be fired in a 5.56
rifle, while 5.56 rounds should not be fired in a .223 rifle.
Deconstructed 5.56 XM855 Round
Bullets are around 55 grains, and the cartridge has light recoil.
Assorted 5.56 Rounds (XM193, XM855, Gold Medal 69gr)
It is the ammunition used in the M16/M4/AR-15 line of rifles, and there’s still
endless debate on its effectiveness in combat.
.50 BMG
Common Calibers in Room

Common Bullet Types & Terminology

Full Metal Jacket (FMJ)
This is the most common type of bullet and consists of a soft metal core, such as
lead fully encapsulated by a harder metal, such as copper.
FMJ vs Hollowpoints (9mm and .45 ACP)
They are usually pointy, round, or even flat. Wound channels are typically small
and go through a target.

Hollow Point (HP)

Hollow points are made to expand once they hit something. They are the go-to
round for police officers, concealed weapon carriers, and home defense guns
because of their stopping power.
9mm 147 Federal Hydrashok HST
Open Tip (OTM)
Open-tip bullets look like hollow points since they have an opening at the top, but
this is more because of their manufacturing process. The openings are too small to
expand effectively.
Different Bullet Tips (L TO R: FMJ, Soft, Open, Ballistic)
Regular FMJ’s are created from small copper cups where the bottom of the cup
becomes the tip of the bullet. Open-tip bullets are the opposite, with the bottom of
the cup becoming the bottom of the bullet.

Open-tip bullets are sometimes also known as Open Tip Match (OTM) since they
are preferred by long-distance shooters. The manufacturing process for open tip
bullets creates a more consistent round than FMJ. Important when you’re shooting
hundreds of yards!

Ballistic Tip
This is what you get when you combine the aerodynamics of an FMJ with the
stopping power of a hollow point. This is a hollow point covered with (usually red)
plastic to mimic the profile of an FMJ.

They are mostly used in hunting or precision shooting.

Assorted 6.5 Creedmoor (L to R: Federal FMJ, Soft 129gr, Ballistic Tip 120gr,
Gold Medal 140gr)
Below you’ll see that the bottoms of the bullets are more streamlined. This design
is called “boat tail” and produces less drag as the bullet flies through the air. HPBT
is short for “hollow point boat tail.”
.308 (168gr vs 208gr) Boat Tail Bullets
Soft Point
This is an earlier attempt to get the ballistic advantages of an FMJ with better
expansion.
Assorted 7.62×39 (FMJ, Open, Soft, FMJ)
In soft point bullets, part of the lead is exposed at the tip. The softer lead is
designed to flatten better when the bullet hits a target. But for the most part,
ballistic tips have surpassed the performance of soft points.

Shotguns
The most popular sized shotgun round is the 12 gauge.
Types of 12ga Shotgun Shells (L to R: Bird, Buck, Slug)
Recoil can vary from moderate to high based on round.

Shotgun ammunition is the most versatile, with three main types of loads.
12ga Shotgun Shells, Opened (L to R: Bird, Buck, Slug)
Bird Shot

Shot Size Chart, Shotgunworld