A Fireman’s Safety Mechanism Original Power Point Created by Todd O’Neil Modified by Georgia Agricultural Education Curriculum Office June 2002

A Firearm’s “Safety” Mechanism Don’t be afraid to ask if you don’t know how a firearm works never trust the safety mechanism safety prevents the gun from firing safety could fail

Damascus Barrel Older or custom made barrels which were typically made before the turn of the century weaker than modern barrels

Airguns ( three kinds) Pneumatic- use a pump system CO2 powered-use compressed CO2 contained in a steel cylinder spring- involves a spring that is compressed by a lever

Rifles and Shotguns Uses expanding gas from burning powder to force a bullet or shot out of the muzzle main difference in shotgun and rifle is found inside the barrel shotgun bore(inside of barrel) is thin and smooth rifle bore are thicker and have grooves that spiral around the bore

Rifles and Shotguns Grooves are called rifling spins the bullet making it more accurate caliber of a rifle is determined by measuring the width of the bore shotgun sizes are given in gauges gauge is usually marked on the rear of the barrel

Rifles and Shotguns Always use the correct gauge shell in the same gauged shotgun(12-gauge shell in a 12-gauge shotgun rifle and shotguns are usually identified by their bore sizes and action designs. Action is the part that moves cartridges or shotshells into the chamber( loads, unloads and ejects ammunition)

Rifles and Shotguns Stock, action and barrel are 3 main components of guns there are five categories of actions break action pump action lever action semi-automatic bolt action

Dominant or Master eye The one you should look through when sighting keep both eyes open when shooting a shotgun usually close one eye when shooting a rifle

Rifles Sights are important parts of rifles three general classes open sight-least accurate peep or aperture sights telescope sights- most accurate

Rifle positions Four standard positions standing-most difficult kneeling-forms tripod sitting-forms tripod prone-most stable

Rang/Distances .22 caliber bullet (rimfire) can be dangerous at a mile or more centerfire bullets(.30-30, .30-06, etc.) can be dangerous at more than 3 1/2 miles

Firing Techniques Hold breath, gently squeeze trigger with steady pressure until the gun fires. Never jerk the trigger or slap the trigger

Shotguns Several gauges 10,12,16,20,28 and .410 are most common smaller the number the larger the bore

Shotgun Position Almost always fired from a standing position.

Shotgun Choke Determines the spread or pattern of the shot after it leaves the barrel Three kinds: full- most constricted modified- less constricted improved cylinder- less than modified cylinder choke- no constriction, shot spreads quickly

Shotgun Range Not a long range gun depends on the shotshell average is within 45 yards

Ammunition Divided into two categories cartridges- handguns and rifles shotshells- shotguns Primary components of cartridges case primer centerfire or rimfire smokeless powder bullet

Ammunition Primary components of shotshells case primer smokeless powder wad and shot

Handguns The safest way to carry a handgun is with no round in the chamber