Glossary

Pulling the trigger back much too hard, thus yanking the muzzle of the gun downward at the moment the shot fires.

The circular or oval band of metal, horn, or plastic that goes around the trigger itself to provide both protection and safety when shooting.

The entirety of the moving parts which work together to fire the gun when the trigger is pulled, including the trigger springs, return springs, the trigger itself, and the sear.

The act of not putting your finger on the trigger until your sights are on target, then pulling the trigger smoothly, and following through with the shot.

An intermediate piece connecting the two parts of a semi-automatic pistol or any other firearm in which the trigger is at some distance from the sear.

This is the actual release device of a firearm that initiates the firing sequence of a gun. Most commonly, a gun’s trigger is a small, curved lever that is pulled backward with the shooter’s pointer finger.

One of the shotgun shooting sports in which the competitors attempt to break aerial targets whose trajectory is going away from them at different angles and elevations.

When used in reference to firearms, this describes the arc of the bullet as it exits a gun’s muzzle to impact the target.

Ammunition that utilizes projectiles that contain a phosphorous or magnesium mixture in its base that burns during its flight to provide a visual reference of the projectile's path.

A different type of bullet than the FMJ in which the lead core is encased in a copper jacket on the front and sides together.

The portion of a revolver frame which extends over the top of the cylinder and connects the top of the breech with the forward part of the frame, which is where the barrel is mounted.

The bottom of the butt when the gun is in firing position on the shoulder.

An external, manual firearm safety which is usually disengaged with the thumb of the firing hand.

The velocity of the bullet at the target.

The study of how a bullet behaves when it strikes the target.