What do you have to know about firearms before buying and shooting one? This article will cover basic firearm features. I recently headed out to Lazy CK Ranch in the Texas Hill County for their Future Hunters Camp. I took my hunter’s education class (for the second time!) and want to share a few of those basic and fundamental topics we touched on.
You can never learn too much and it’s always great to have a refresher if needed. If you are new to hunting, have minimal exposure, or have been hunting for decades, but want a different way to learn more, the Lazy CK Ranch offers a Future Hunters camp where you not only have classroom instruction but in-the-field and hands-on learning, as well as the opportunity to harvest a doe. Interested? Email Carly Brasseux at carly {at} misspursuit {dot} com.
Basic Firearms Features
The basic features of most firearms include the stock, barrel, muzzle, action, safety, sight, trigger and trigger guard, and magazine.
Actions: What the heck is an action when referring to firearms?
The term refers to the type of trigger function it has (i.e., single-action, double-action, double-action-only, etc.), or it may refer to how a firearm is manipulated in order to insert ammunition into the firing chamber (break-action, bolt-action, lever-action, etc.)
Common Actions on Rifles
- Bolt Action
- Lever Action
- Pump Action
- Semi-Automatic Action
- Break (or Hinge) Action
Common Actions on Shotguns
- Pump Action
- Semi-Automatic Action
- Bolt Action Repeater
- Break Action with Single Barrell
- Break Action Side-by-Side with Double Barrell
- Break Action with Over-Under with Double Barrel
Safeties: What is a safety when referring to firearms?
The term refers to the mechanism used to help prevent the accidental discharge of a firearm, helping to ensure safer handling.
Common Safeties
- Hammer Safety
- Pivot Safety
- Slide Safety
- Cross-Bolt Safety
This is our list of what you have to know about firearms before buying and shooting one. For more resources, check out these articles:
