HUNTINGsmart! USA Knowledge Base

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Module 03 - RIFLES 101

LEVER ACTION RIFLE COMPONENTS

Muzzle:

The opening at the end of the barrel.

Sight:

An aiming device that’s located on top of the barrel (there are usually two pieces that align when looked through properly).

Barrel:

The metal tube that a projectile travels through when the gun is fired.

Forestock:

The front grip area under the barrel that the supporting hand (non-trigger hand) holds onto.

Magazine:

The container where ammunition is held before being fed into the chamber of a repeating firearm. ‘Tubular’ type magazines are usually found either under the barrel or in the stock.

Chamber:

Holding area of the firearm where the cartridge is contained before it is fired.

Bolt:

Metal rod that moves back and forth in the action, sealing the cartridge in the chamber during firing.

Safety:

A device that blocks the firing mechanism to prevent accidental firing.

Hammer:

The part of the action that drives the firing pin forward.

Lever:

A protruding handle located under the stock and behind the trigger. It is pulled out and then pushed back up against the stock to expel the spent cartridge and load the next round into the firing chamber.

Action:

The moving parts of a firearm that allow loading, firing and unloading.

Trigger :

When squeezed, the trigger releases the part of the action that fires the cartridge.

Trigger guard:

A loop surrounding the trigger area to prevent accidental firing.

Loading port:

The opening through which cartridges are inserted into the magazine or chamber.

Buttstock:

The tail end of the firearm that sits firmly against the shoulder when firing.

Buttplate:

A metal plate that’s attached to the butt end of a gunstock.

Recoil pad:

This soft rubber pad is located on the butt of the rifle and helps absorb the shock of the recoil.