FIREARMS

Prepared by: REXEL MAE M. REYES

At the end of the lesson, the students should
be able to:

• Define firearms;
• Describe the history of firearms;
• Discuss the types, classifications and characteristics of firearms;
• Parts and mechanisms of fireRMA; and
• Describe the other methods of rifling.
 FIREARM

• According to its legal term, a firearm is defined by republic act

10591, otherwise known as the "COMPREHENSIVE FIREARMS AND
AMMUNITION REGULATION ACT". It is a comprehensive law that was
enacted on May 29, 2013, regulating the ownership, possession,
carrying, manufacture, dealing in and importation of firearms,
ammunition, or parts thereof, in order to provide legal support to
law enforcement agencies in their campaign against crime, stop
the proliferation of illegal firearms or weapons and the illegal
manufacture of firearms or weapons, ammunition and parts
thereof.
Firearm
Under article I, section 3, republic act 10591

• This refers to any handheld or portable weapon, whether a small

arm or light weapon, that expels or is designed to expel a bullet,
shot, slug, missile or any projectile, which is discharged by means
of expansive force of gases from burning gunpowder or other form
of combustion or any similar instrument or implement. For
purposes of this act, the barrel, frame or receiver is considered a
firearm
Firearm
Under section 877 of the revised administrative code as well as in section 290 of the national
internal revenue code of the philippines.

• Firearms or arms as herein used, includes rifles, muskets,

carbines, shotguns, pistols, revolvers, and all other deadly
weapons from which bullets, ball, shots, shells, or other missiles
may be discharged by means of gunpowder or other explosives.
This term also includes air rifles except such as being of small
caliber and of limited range and used as toys. The barrel of any
firearm shall be considered a complete firearm for all purposes
hereof.
Firearm
Association of Firearms and Toolmarks Examiners (AFTE)

• This refer to an assembly of a barrel and action

from which a projectile is propelled by products
of combustion.
Technical definition of firearms

• A firearm is any instrument or an assembly which

can discharge or propel a bullet or any similar
object by means of expansive force of gases
generated from the combustion of an explosive
substance or burning gunpowder.
Other Definition
• Firearms or arms include rifles, muskets, carbines, shotgun, pistols,
revolvers and all deadly weapons from which a bullet, shot, a shell or
missiles may be discharged by means of gunpowder or other explosives.
The terms also include air rifles except: those that are small in caliber
and usually used as toys.
• Also, minor parts of a firearms refer to the parts of the firearm other
than the major parts which are necessary to effect and complete the
action of expelling a projectile by way of combustion, except those
classified as accessories. Sec. 3. Par. (X) R. A. No. 10591 comprehensive
firearms and ammunition regulation act.
 History of
Firearms
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ksc7yAiXUE
Hand canons

The first known portable type of

handgun, known as hand bombard
or hand cannon, was probably
developed in the second quarter of
the 14th century.
Matchlocks

The matchlock was the

earliest known lock
mechanism and can be
actuated by applying a lighted
match, which at that time, was
simply a cord that was
manually dipped in saltpeter.
Wheel lock

It had a wheel known as "arquebus," a

serrated steel wheel, which was fitted on the
side of the weapon near the breech of the
barrel. The wheel was spring-propelled with a
chain around its axles. When the wheel was
turned with a spanner, the chain actuated the
axle and the spring tensioned
Snaphaunce or snaphance

The Snaphaunce or
Snaphance was invented in the
second half of the 16th century. It
can be fired by means of sparks
from iron pyrites or flint. It had a
sliding flash pan cover similar to
that of a wheel lock.
Miquelet lock

The Miquelet lock was invented before 1600

and continued to be in use for several years.
The name "Miquelet" derives from the body of
men organized all over Spain as government
escorts, called "Miquelites" from Miguel de
Prats, an armed follower of Cesare Borgia
(1476-1507). The Miquelet Lock is
characteristically Spanish, and is different from
the snaphaunce and the ordinary flintlock both
in its exterior and in its mechanism.
Flint lock

Its ignition system replaced the

matchlock. It had a simple
mechanism that produced spark by
striking a piece of flint against the
steel. The flint was held in a small
vice on a pivoted arm.
Percussion system

In this system, a very sensitive compound

in metal cup containing priming compound is
used in percussion firearms, which exploded
upon being struck to ignite the gunpowder. It
was introduced by the Scottish minister
Alexander John Forsyth. When struck by a
hammer, this compound (i.e., mercury
fulminate) produced a flash strong enough to
ignite the gunpowder (Gabriel, 2004).
Pinfire system

The first cartridge of a self-exploding

type which enjoyed any real general
used was the type called the pin-fire
commonly attributed to Lefaucheux of
Paris, around 1836. Pin fire cartridges
were made for all types of small arms
and in two or three types of case
combination.
Rimfire system

The rimfire system was likewise exhibited

at the Great Exhibition in 1851 The rimfire
cartridge has a thin hollow flanged rim, into
which a small quantity of priming compound
was spun Crushing the rim with the firing pin
caused the priming compound to explode, thus
igniting the propellant inside the case (Gabriel,
2004).
Dreyse needle fire rifle

This was a military breech-loading rifle,

which became famous as the main infantry
weapon of the Prussians, who adopted it for
service in 1848 as the Dreyse Prussian
Model 1848. It was invented by the gunsmith
Johann Nikolaus von Dreyse between 1787
thru 1867, and was widely considered as the
first fully working rifle in 1836.
Center fire system

The Center Fire System represents a

significant breakthrough in weapon and
ammunition development. In center fire
ammunition, the primer cup had to be
soft enough to be crushed by the firing
pin. The exact date for the invention of
the first center fire weapon remains
unknown
Men Behind Firearms
JOHN M BROWNING

• Wizard of the modern firearms and

pioneered the breech loading single
shot rifle that was adopted by
Winchester.
Samuel Colt

• Patented the first pratical revolver and

maker of the Colt Peace Maker.
Alexander John Forsyth

• Father of percussion powder, he

successfully invented the priming
mixture and caused the integration of
the primer, bullet and shell in one unit.
John C. Garand

• Designed and invented the semi-

automatic US Riffle Cal. 30. M1 Garand.
Michael Kalashnikov

• Designed the AK 47. adopted by the Russian

Army in the year 1951.
George Luger

• Designed the Luger MP018. (Germany)

John Wolfe Marlin

• Founder of the Marlin Firearms Company.

James Wolfe Rifley

• Simulated the development of the model 1855

rifle-musket.
Elephalet Remington

• One of the early rifle maker.

• Solid-steal rifle
• Breech loading gun
Elisha King Root

• Designed the machinery for colt firearms.

• Drop hammer
Horace Smith

• Pioneered the making of breech loading

rifles. Also engaged in the manufacture of
whaling guns.
John Thompson

• Developed in the course WW1 the Thompson

m1a1 and the 1928 model of the A1.
Daniel Wesson

• Developed the lever pistol and the first repeating

rifle, the volcanic.

• Famous revolver maker.

David “Carbine” Williams

• Maker of first known carbine

Oliver Winchester

• One of the earliest rifle and pistol makers.

Parts of
Firearms
Major parts or components of firearm

Barrel
Slide
Frame
Receiver
Cylinder / bolt
 According to
Types of firearms R.A 10591

1. Small Arms
2. Light Weapons
3. Antique
4. Imitation
5. Demilitarized
 According to
Types of firearms Projectile
Propelled

1. Artillery
2. Small Arms
 SMALL ARMS Types of
firearms

1.Handgun/ Short Arm

a. Pistol
b. Revolver
2.Shoulder Arm/ Long Arm
a. Rifle
b. Musket
c. Shotgun
d. Carbine
 SMALL
Handgun/Short Arm ARMS

PISTOL
A hand-operated
firearm with a chamber
that is integral with or
permanently aligned
with the bore, which
may be self-loading.

R.A 10591 (RA 8294 & PD 1866)

 SMALL
Handgun/Short Arm ARMS

REVOLVER
A hand-operated firearm
with a revolving cylinder
containing chambers for
individual cartridges.

1. Single Action
2. Double Action
3. Swing Out Cylinder
4. Tip up or topbreak
R.A 10591 (RA 8294 & PD 1866)
 SMALL
Shoulder Arm/ Long Arm ARMS

RIFLE
• This is a shoulder firearm or that
which is designed to be fired
from the shoulder, which can
discharge a bullet through a rifled
barrel by different actions of
loading. Loadings can be
classified as lever, bolt, or self-
loading.

R.A 10591 (RA 8294 & PD 1866)

 SMALL
Shoulder Arm/ Long Arm ARMS

MUSKET
• Long smooth
bored firearm
designed to
prepare a single
shot.
 SMALL
Shoulder Arm/ Long Arm ARMS

Shotguns
This is a weapon designed, made, and
intended to fire a number of ball shots
or a single projectile through a smooth
bore via the action of the energy
generated by burning gunpowder.
1. Single Barrel
2. Double Barrel
3. Cylinder bore
4. Choke bore
5. Paradox
R.A 10591 (RA 8294 & PD 1866)
 SMALL
Shoulder Arm/ Long Arm ARMS

CARBINE
• A short barrel rifle (not
longer than 22 inches).
 LIGHT WEAPONS Types of firearms

• Class A Light Weapons • Class B light weapons

These refer to self These refers to
loading firearms that do not weapons designed for use
exceed caliber 7.62mm and by two or more individuals
have a fully automatic serving as a crew members
mode. or to guns exceeds 7.62mm.

R.A 10591 (RA 8294 & PD 1866)

ANTIQUE FIREARMS Types of
firearms

These refer to any of the following:

(1) a firearm that was manufactured at least 75 years prior to the current
date but not including replicas;
(2) a firearm that has been certified by the National Museum of the
Philippines to be curio or relic and is of museum interest; and;
(3) any other firearm that derives a substantial part of its monetary value
from the fact that it is novel, rare and bizarre, or because of its
association with some historical figure, period, or event

R.A 10591 (RA 8294 & PD 1866)

Imitation Firearms Types of
firearms

This type of firearm refers to a replica of a firearm

or another device, which is substantially similar in
coloration and overall appearance to an existing
firearm as to lead anyone to believe that this
imitation firearm is a real one.
R.A 10591 (RA 8294 & PD 1866)
DEMILITARIZED FIREARMS Types of
firearms

These refer to a firearm that has been

deliberately made incapable of performing
its main purpose of firing a projectile

R.A 10591 (RA 8294 & PD 1866)

 GENERAL
CLASSIFICATION OF
FIREARMS
LEVEL OF HARM THEY PRODUCE

• Lethal
• Non-Lethal GENERAL CLASSIFICATION OF FIREARMS
TRADITIONAL STRUCTURE

• Firearms
• Conventional weapon
• Non-conventional weapons
• Portability
• Physical characteristics, size and support
• Action Weapon
GENERAL CLASSIFICATION OF FIREARMS
 T
R
A
Firearms D
I
T
I
O
N
• Legal Definition A
• R.A 10591 L
• Sec. 87 of Revised Administrative Code
S
• Sec. 290 of the National Internal Revenue Code T
R
U
C
• Technical Definition T
U
R
E
 T
R
A
D
Conventional weapon I
T
I
O
N
A
• Battle tanks L

• Armored combat vehicle S

T
• Large caliber artillery system R
U
• Combat aircraft including and unmanned aerial vehicles C
T
• Attack helicopter U
• Warships R
E
• Missiles and missile launchers
 T
R
A
D
Non-conventional weapons I
T
I
O
N
A
L
• Weapons of mass Destruction also known as ABC & NRBC
S
• Atomic, Biological, & Chemical or T
• Nuclear, Radiological, Biological & Chemical R
U
C
T
U
R
E
 T
R
A
Portability D
I
T
I
O
N
• Small Arms A
L
• Class A- Light Weapons
• Class B- Light Weapons S
T
• Other system that must be transported with help of technical R
means U
C
T
U
R
E

GENERAL CLASSIFICATION OF FIREARMS

 T
R
A
Physical characteristics, size and support D
I
T

• Hand guns I
O
N
Pistol A
L
Revolver
S
T
R

• Long guns U
C
T
Rifle U
R
Shotgun E

Carbine GENERAL CLASSIFICATION OF FIREARMS

Muskets
COMMON ACTION TYPES OF
FIREARMS

ACCORDING TO MECHANICAL
CONSTRUCTION
Action

• This refers to the firing system of a firearms,

specifically the physical mechanism through
which cartridges are loaded, locked and
extracted, as well as the firing frequency when
the trigger is actioned.
Single action
According to
mechanical
construction

Types of firearms designed to fire only one shot

for every loading.

Examples: single shot pistols, revolvers and shotguns

 According to
REPEATING ARMS mechanical
construction

Types of firearms designed to fire

several shots in one loading and for
every press of the trigger

• Examples: automatic pistols, revolvers, rifles, and

shotguns
 According to
Automatic loading type mechanical
construction

Types of firearms that

constitute continuous
firing in a single press of
the trigger and while the
trigger is pressed.
 According to
Slide/single action type mechanical
construction

Types of firearms in which

loading takes place by back and
forth manipulation of the under/
over forearms of the gun.

Examples: shotgun and pistols

 According to
Bolt type mechanical
construction

types of firearms in
which reloading
takes place by
manipulating the
bolt back and forth.
 According to
Lever type/ break type mechanical
construction

loading takes place

by lever action on
the firearms.
Two General Classification of Firearm's (According to Gun Barrel
Internal Construction)

• Smooth Bore Firearms are those firearms that have no

riflings (lands and grooves) inside its gun barrel. Eg.
Shotguns and Muskets.

• Rifled Bore Firearms - are those firearms that have

riflings inside it's gun barrel. Eg.
• Pistols, Revolvers & Rifles.
Main types of Firearms
According to caliber of projectiles propelled

• Artillery
• Small arms
• Machine guns
• Rifles
• Carbine
• Musket
• Shotguns
• Handguns
• Pistol
• Revolver
Other types of firearms

• Craft production and rudimentary

• 3d
• Unlisenced
• Replica
• Deactivated and converted
• modular
 CLASS
CHARACTERISTICS OF
FIREARMS
Class characteristics of firearms
• Bore diameter- It is the caliber or gauge
• Number of lands and grooves
• Lands- these are elevated portion of the bore
• Grooves- These are depressed portion of the bore
• Width of the lands- It is dependent upon the bore of the diameter
• Width of the grooves- It is measured as the shortest distance between the two edge of grooves
• Direction of tWIST- It will depend on the manufacturer, it’s either to the left or to the right
• Pitch rifling- It is the measure of the twisting of the lands and grooves
• Depth of grooves- It is measured on the radius of the bore
RIFLING
INDIVIDUAL CHARACTERISTICS

This
•. refers to those characteristics
which are determinable only after
manufacture of the firearm
 Individual
Characteristics

• These marks are present on all parts of the firearm, such as

the firing pin, breech face, extractor, ejector, ejection port,
chamber, and barrel. During the manufacturing process, the
manufacturer can polish these marks left through boring,
milling, grinding, lapping, and many others. However, these
unique marks are often left on the surface and can be
viewed using a microscope. Thus, even after all the finishing
processes, unique marks can still be found on the firearm,
which can then be transferred to every bullet and cartridge
case fired from it.
note

• The characteristics that make the tool surface unique are called individual
characteristics. When these characteristics are compared in toolmarks, and
sufficient agreement is found, an identification can be established. These
characteristics are from imperfections on the tool surface that make the toolmark.
The imperfections, typically microscopic, usually arise during the tool
manufacturing process. In addition, the surface may also gain imperfections and
irregularities through use, wear, corrosion, and damage. If the class characteristics
agree in every respect with the evidence item case or the recovered bullet) and
with the test-fires from a suspect firearm, the examiner then uses the comparison
micro-scope to compare the individual characteristics of both evidence and test
toolmarks. Individual characteristics are random in nature, usually arising from the
tool working surface incidental to manufacture, but can also be the result of use,
wear, and possible care and/or abuse of the tool.
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ksc7yAiXUE

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9V13VxB0v2Y