Glossary

A revolver has a spring activated device attached to the bottom of the frame beneath the cylinder. This catches the notches in the cylinder to stop the cylinder's rotation and hold it in place each time a chamber in the cylinder is legend up with the barrel.

Found only in revolvers, this is the portion of the gun containing multiple chambers. The cylinder rotates so each cartridge aligns with the barrel before firing.

The area inside the bore nearest to the muzzle of the firearm.

The cross-shaped 'hairs' seen in the center of a scope or optics, better known as the reticle.

A shooter who is uses a right-handed stance, but has the stronger left-eye, or left-handed shooter that is right-eyed.

Two shots fired in rapid succession, only after the shooter has obtained a second, well-read shot with his eyes after the first.

A handgun that is carried out of sight, usually in a holster made to be concealed somewhere on the body. Always check your local laws to fins out if concealed carry is legal in your area.

A device attached to or designed to be a part of a gun barrel made to reduce recoil or muzzle kick upon firing.

The stock on a long gun that can be pushed into itself to shorten its length, either for storage or to make the gun fit shooters of different arm lengths such as a youth shooter.

A shooting range term for when all firearms are unloaded and not being handled, to indicate it is safe to walk down range for things like target inspection and replacement.

The first shot from a rifle that has been cleaned, and not fired recently. This first shot is referred to as being a shot from a cold, clean bore.

The act of manually drawing back the hammer of a gun against its spring. This action arms the hammer to release when the trigger is pulled. Some firearms with internal hammers are cocked automatically when the shooter pulls the trigger.

Using the peep sights even when an optic sight is mounted to the firearm. Sometimes called 'see-through' sights.

In a closed bolt firing system, after the bolt is forced backwards by firing the gun, it ejects the empty casing and immediately returns forward, pushing a new round into the chamber.

Often confused with a magazine, a clip holds cartridges or rounds together and is used to either reload magazines (stripper clip) or is inserted into the firearm directly (en-bloc clip).