HUNTINGsmart! USA Knowledge Base

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Module 03 - RIFLES 101

PUMP ACTION RIFLE COMPONENTS

Muzzle:

The opening at the end of the barrel.

Sight:

An aiming device on top of the barrel (there are usually two pieces at the front and back of the firearm that align when looked through properly).

Barrel:

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

Action:

The moving parts that allow a firearm to be loaded, fired and unloaded.

Forestock:

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

Chamber:

The holding area of the firearm where the cartridge is contained before it’s fired.

Loading/ejection port:

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

Bolt:

A 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.

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.

Magazine:

The container where ammunition is held before being fed into the chamber of a repeating firearm.

Buttplate:

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

Buttstock:

The part of the stock, which extends from the receiver to the butt.