Did you know that about 44% of households in the United States own different types of guns? However, despite widespread ownership, there is a sharp fall in gun literacy.
A study by Pew Research Center in 2017 reported that more than half of American citizens know a person injured by a gun. The statistics indicate a significant need for gun education.
In America, guns are a source of fear or pride. They ignite extensive debates in society.
The discussions also elicit a need for understanding gun types and how they work. This article will provide a comprehensive overview of every kind of gun.
Mechanics of guns
All gun types follow the same basic principle to operate and have similar features. The common parts include a magazine, primer, firing pin, trigger, pistol grip, hand guard, receiver, trigger gun, and barrel.
To understand the mechanics of a gun, you need to know how it works. Here are a few steps to guide you:
■ First, load bullets into the barrel’s rear.
■ Then pull the trigger. The trigger acts as a catalyst that facilitates a chain of events.
■ The trigger pull causes the firing pin to release with great force.
■ The firing pin then hits the primer, which ignites the gunpowder.
■ The burning gunpowder creates pressure, forcing the bullet down the barrel at high speed.
■ Then the bullet travels out of the muzzle toward the target. The escaping gasses and speed of the bullet produce the “bang” sound.
As time goes by, more gun innovations and evolution occur. Today, you can find some firearms with magazines that can hold more than one barrel or more than 30 bullets. Some have sophisticated accessories such as bipods, rifle scopes, lasers, and lights that facilitate effective marksmanship.
Types of bullets and calibers
Different types of calibers and bullets exist. Different types of gun may perform a variety of tasks because of the different bullet calibers.
Caliber types
Gun calibers are usually in millimeters or inches. In most cases, you can hear an explanation of gun calibers as a cartridge type that a gun fires. Gun calibers are typically described as the type of cartridge that a gun fires.
In the market, you will find four general categories of calibers. They include:
■ Large bore: They are calibers with a diameter greater than or equal to 0.40 inches.
■ Medium bore: The diameter of the caliber ranges between 0.33-0.39 inches.
■ Small bore: The diameter of the caliber is less than or equal to 0.32 inches.
■ Miniature bore: It has a less than or equal to 0.22-inch caliber diameter.
Different bullet caliber types accomplish varying tasks. They can serve short-range shooting or long-range shooting. For instance, a 0.22-long round is perfect for light target practice or small-game hunting. On the other hand, a 0.223 round has a longer range and is more lethal than 0.22.
Bullet types
Bullets have varying features and sizes and can carry out different tasks. Below is a list of the top four bullet types:
■ Hollow-point bullets: The bullet’s nose cavity makes it more likely to strike hard and leave gaping holes.
■ Armored bullets: They are ideal bullets for hunting fur animals and grouse. You can also find armored bullets in firing ranges.
■ Tracer bullets: They enable the shooter to see their bullets’ strike points at night. The bullets are strong enough to penetrate light steel and body armor.
■ Soft point bullets: They are perfect for self-defense.
Gun categories
There are several kinds of guns available for sale or purchase in licensed places today. For instance, Cashforarms provides the best platform for gun sales.
However, before entering the gun market, you should know the different gun categories.
Guns are either fully-automatic or semi-automatic. Semi-automatic firearms require you to fire a single bullet per trigger pull until you empty the magazine.
On the other hand, fully automatic guns ensure you can fire several pullets per trigger pull.
Fully automatic guns have heavy regulations, and you can find them with law enforcement.
On the other hand, private-citizen gun owners mostly own semi-automatic firearms.
The more knowledge you have on types of guns, the better your understanding of firearms. Below is a breakdown of common types of guns:
1. Shotguns
A shotgun has a long barrel and fires many lead pellets or small steel with each trigger pull. Shotguns are categorized as semi-automatic, pump-action weapons, or single-shot weapons.
2. Rifles
Rifles are weapons that require users to fire from the shoulder. They use an explosive’s energy to fire a single projectile via a rifled bore.
There are different rifle categories, including semi-automatic, lever action, and bolt action. One identifying feature of a rifle is its long receiver and barrel.
3. Revolvers
A revolver is a handgun containing a cylinder with multiple chambers, each with a single cartridge. It is among the first multi-shot guns. It can store up to seven bullets in the cylinder.
Bottom line
Why is gun education vital? Gun literacy ensures you equip yourself with the knowledge that facilitates better firearm care and caution.
The above overview aims to educate you on the different guns, calibers, and bullet types. You can use the knowledge to familiarize yourself with guns and learn how they work.
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