Firearms
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Two general categories of firearms
Handguns Long guns
Handguns are generally designed to:
be held and fired with one hand
Two classifications of handguns
single action double action
Single action handguns
requires that the hammer be manually cocked back before each shot is fired
double action handguns
will automatically cock the hammer back when the trigger is pulled will also reload the firing chamber after the current round is fired
Three types of handguns
single shot handguns revolvers semi automatics
Single shot handgun
can only fire one shot at a time chamber needs to be manually loaded with a cartridge before each shot is taken
Revolvers
multiple firing chambers chambers located within a rotating cylinder cylinder rotates clockwise or counter clockwise as each shot is fired each chamber holds a single cartridge chambers line up with the barrel when rotated cartridge casings have to be manually removed/ejected Three types: swing out, break top, solid frame
Semiautomatic Handguns
removable magazine within the grip of the weapon magazine is loaded with cartridges (live rounds) load first round by pulling back the slide and causing the hammer to cock once the slide is released the cartridge is loaded into the firing chamber when the cartridge is fired, gases cause the casing to eject, the hammer is cocked, and the next round is loaded one shot per trigger pull
Long guns are either:
rifles shotguns
Long guns are designed to:
be fired while resting on the shoulder of the operator there are differences in ammunition and barrel
Rifle Ammunition
traditional cartridge but larger in size
Rifle Barrel
has lands and grooves
Shotgun ammunition
shell: contains ball shaped projectiles called “shot”
Shotgun barrel
smooth no lands or grooves choke: narrowing of the barrel single or double barreled Double barrel can be horizontally or vertically situated Can have different choke diameters
When a barrel is hollowed out by drilling:
microscopic striation marks are left Random and unique markings No two rifled barrels have identical striation markings
Caliber
diameter of the bore
Calibers are calculated by:
measuring the diameter between opposite lands
Caliber may not be an exact measurement:
bore diameter may fall within range
Caliber can be recorded in two ways:
hundredths of an inch millimeters
What happens when a weapon is fired?
When the trigger of a gun is squeezed, a firing pin makes contact with the back end of the cartridge and ignites the explosive charge contained in the primer The primer then ignites the propellant, or gunpowder, which is the main explosive component of a cartridge
What path does a bullet take when fired?
Travels through barrel engaged by rifling grooves guide bullet through barrel rapid spin results bullet travels on a true and accurate course - steady through air, does not tumble end over end
When attempting to link a bullet with a suspecting weapon, what should be compared?
the bullet and a test fired bullet from the suspected weapon
Because shot guns have smooth barrels, projectiles that pass through have:
no characteristic markings