Chapter 1 – Introduction to Firearms

Go to Table of Contents

What is considered to be a firearm? The official firearm definition, according to the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), is any weapon (including a starter gun) which will or is designed to, or may readily be converted to, expel a projectile by the action of an explosive.

By this definition, you may find your answer to common questions like, β€œIs a BB gun considered a firearm?” or, β€œIs a crossbow considered a firearm?” Neither a BB gun nor a crossbow uses explosive action to propel a projectile, so they are not categorized as firearms.

Alternatively, is a shotgun a firearm? Unlike a BB gun, which uses compressed air to fire pellets, a shotgun fires a bullet with explosive action when the trigger is pulled. This fits the ATF definition of a firearm. The parts of a gun that make it a β€œgun” are the components that allow the explosive reaction to occur and propel the bullet out of the barrel.

How Guns Work

A gun uses the force produced by an explosive propellant to project a bullet at a high velocity. When a gun’s trigger is pulled, the hammer strikes a small charge at the end of the shell, also known as the ammunition. As a result, this charge ignites the gunpowder packed behind the bullet.

The burning gunpowder produces gas that expands very rapidly, creating extremely high pressures. These high-pressure gases then exert forces on the back of the bullet and on the gun. Because of the way a gun is designed, the only way for the gas to escape is to push the bullet through the end of the barrel. This is how a bullet is fired from a gun.

How do automatic guns work?

An automatic firearm, such as a universal machine gun, differs from a semi-automatic firearm because the gun will continue to fire rounds as long as the trigger is being pulled and there are rounds in the chamber or magazine. They are strictly regulated in the United States due to lethality, so it’s very difficult (and expensive) to purchase one on the open market.

What type of metal are guns made of?

The earliest guns were made of bronze and brass in the early 13th Century. By the late 15th Century, they were being composed of wrought iron or a steel and iron combination. Today, several alloys are used to make guns, including a mix of manganese, chrome, carbon, nickel, vanadium, aluminum, and other synthetic fibers to make the firearms you see today.

The Bronze Heilongjiang
The bronze Heilongjiang hand cannon is believed to be the oldest firearm in the world. Heilongjiang province, China, c. 1288
Desert Eagle 50AE
The U.S. Military issued Desert Eagle 50AE (Mark XIX) is a modern handgun made of stainless-steel, brushed chrome and titanium gold.

Parts of a Gun and Their Functions

Here are the main parts of a gun and what they do:

  • Barrel – This term refers to the long tube-shaped part of a firearm. It provides an exit path with direction and velocity for a discharging bullet. Barrels are rifled on the inside to create a spin on the bullet as it’s expelled.
  • Slide – The slide is the upper portion of the gun that is manually pulled back to load the gun.
  • Ejection Port – The spent shell casings, or misfed/misfired casing, are ejected from this portion of the gun.
  • Trigger – 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.
  • Muzzle – This term refers to the end of the barrel. It is the last part of the gun that the bullet touches before exiting the firearm.
  • Sight – Two parts. The front sight is located above the muzzle, and the other located further back down the barrel (in front of the hammer on most pistols). The two are able to be lined up to enable the shooter to aim the firearm to be aimed properly.
  • Magazine Well – This is the part of the gun that accepts the magazine. A magazine is a unit that contains the cartridges before they are fed into the chamber of the gun.
firearm cross section range
Cross-section of a modern-day β€œrepeating” fire handgun.

To learn more about internal parts of a handgun, parts of a gun magazine, other gun-related verbiage, and definitions, please refer to our comprehensive glossary of firearm terms.

Differences Between Firearms and Handguns

If you’re not an experienced gun aficionado, we understand that all these terms can be confusing. What is the difference between a firearm and a handgun, or the difference between a pistol and a handgun?

To put it simply, all handguns are firearms, but not all firearms are handguns.

By definition, a firearm can be any number of gun types that use an explosive action to fire a bullet. With that said, the term β€œfirearm” can refer to handguns, rifles, shotguns, machine guns, and other types of guns and weapons. There are manual firearms and automatic firearms. There is a wide variety of classification of firearms that we’ll explore a little more in the next section.

Go to Table of Contents

Go to Chapter 2: Types of Guns & Firearms

infographic showing the parts of a handgun

Chapter 1: Introduction to Firearms

If you are new to shooting guns, Chapter 1 of the Ultimate Shooting Range Guide gives a breakdown of the parts of a typical handgun, and a brief history of guns. Some topics you will learn:

  • How Guns Work
  • Parts of a Gun and Their Functions
  • Differences Between Firearms and Handguns
variety of guns laying on a shooting stand at a shooting range in las vegas

Chapter 2: Types of Firearms

There are a lot of types of guns on the market, and you can shoot a selection of them at The Range 702 in Las Vegas. Chapter 2 of the Ultimate Shooting Range Guide is a breakdown the most popular types of guns:

  • Rifles
  • Shotguns
  • Handguns
  • Revolvers
  • Pistols
  • Machine Guns
man shooting a machine gun at a gun range in las vegas

Chapter 3: Gun Safety Rules

The essential part of your shooting range experience is learning gun safety rules. If you’re not yet familiar with these rules your range safety officer or instructor will go over these in-depth. Chapter 3 covers everything for a safe and exciting experience, including:

  • Fundamentals of Shooting
  • Firearm Safety Rules
  • How to Talk to Your Kids About Gun Safety
handgun laying on a shooting stand next to protective gear

Chapter 4: Shooting Range Equipment

In Chapter 4 we cover the various types of gear and equipment you might see and bring to a indoor shooting range. Some of the items covered include:

  • Additional magazines
  • Hearing protection
  • Protective eyewear
  • Gun cleaning kit
  • Targets
man shooting a handgun at a target in las vegas

Chapter 5: Outdoor Shooting

Chapter 5 of the Ultimate Shooting Range Guide covers the benefits of shooting at an outdoor range plus how to build your own outdoor range. Topics covered include:

  • What is an Outdoor Shooting Range?
  • How to Build an Outdoor Shooting Range
  • Where Is an Outdoor Shooting Range Near Me?
man shooting a handgun at the range 702 in las vegas

Chapter 6: Indoor Shooting

Many shooters prefer to shoot at an indoor gun range because they are protected from the elements and it’s great for target practice. In Chapter 6, you will learn:

  • How Do Indoor Shooting Ranges Work?
  • Are Indoor Shooting Ranges Safe?
  • What Are Exotic Firearms at the Range?
  • What Are Safety Requirements at Indoor Shooting Ranges?
shooting instructor teaching an armed guard class at the range 702

Chapter 7: CCW Classes

Chapter 7 of the Ultimate Shooting Range Guide covers the all the need-to-know for getting your concealed carry permit (CCW), including what to bring, and great firearms to consider purchasing for concealed carry.

  • What is a CCW Class?
  • Can You Take a CCW Class Before 21?
  • How Long is a CCW Class?
  • What To Bring to a CCW Class
  • How to Get CCW Permit