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Back to About Shooting Grades Targets Ranges Pistols Safety Rules Parents Guide Conduct on the Range Glossary |
Glossary
This is just a sample of the terms used in Pistol Shooting. Please feel free to Email AusPistol with any additions that you feel should be included.
Ammunition-Centerfire
Ammunition that contains the primer in the center of the base of the case. Among the most common centerfire handgun cartridges are the .38 Special, .357 Magnum®, .40 S&W, .45 ACP and .44 Magnum®.
Ammunition-Rimfire
Ammunition that contains the primer compound in the rim of the case and is fired by striking the rim and igniting the primer. The most common rimfire cartridge is the .22.
Area Aiming
A method of aiming where the sights are aligned in a region usually below the centre of the target.
Bore / Calibre
The diameter of a bullet, designated in hundredths or thousandths of an inch (.357) or in millimeters (9mm).
Calling the Shot
The ability to estimate the placement of a hit on the target by recalling the position and relationship of the sights at the point when the shot was fired.
Course of Fire
The particular conditions of each event, specifying the number of shots, the distance and time limits.
Cylinder
The barrel-shaped part of the revolver that holds the cartridges and rotates, allowing the charge holes to be aligned with the barrel for firing.
Double Action
A firing action where the hammer is cycled and the gun fired by a single pull of the trigger. The gun can also be fired in single action.
Double-Action-Only (DAO)
A firing action where the hammer is cycled and the gun fired by a single pull of the trigger. The hammer returns to the down position after each shot and must repeat the entire cycle for every shot.
Dry Firing
A practice excercie of aiming and firing the pistol without live ammunition
Ejector
That part of a semi-auto that causes an empty case to be forcefully driven from the gun as part of the recoil cycle.
Extractor
That part of a semi-auto's slide that grasps the rim of a cartridge to withdraw it from the chamber.
Finish-Blued
A finishing process for carbon-steel guns that is designed to provide a protective blue finish.
Finish-Glass Bead
A metal preparation process by which the product is blasted with glass beads, giving it a matte finish.
Finish-Matte Blue
A flat, almost black finish produced by bead blasting the gun before blueing.
Finish-Matte Stainless Steel
Beadblasted stainless steel that results in a low-luster, low-glare finish.
Finish-Nickel
An electroplating process that deposits a layer of nickel on an aluminum-alloy or carbon-steel gun, providing a finish that is more resistant to rust.
Finish-Satin Nlckel
A finish that has been bead blasted prior to nickel plating, resulting in a matte finish.
Firing Pin
The part of the hammer, or part activated by the movement of the hammer, which detonates the primer of the cartridge by striking it.
Follow Through
The part of aiming and firing in which the aim is maintained after the shot is fired.
Follower
The plate on the top of the spring in a magazine that supports the ammunition and positions the rounds for loading into the chamber.
Forcing Cone
The rear portion of the revolver barrel, at the cylinder end, that is slightly tapered to make it easier for the bullet to enter the barrel as it emerges from the cylinder charge hole.
Grip-Combat
A rounded grip with finger grooves designed to give the shooter firm control of the firearm and to often aid in concealed carry.
Grip-Target
Oversize wood stocks designed to give the shooter firm control on a competition gun.
Grip - Wrap Around
The style of grip that covers the shooting hand across the back of the hand. It gives more support and stability to the grip. Used in the Free Pistol and Rapid Fire events.
Group
A term used for a number of shots on the target in close proximity to each other.
Hammerblock
An internal safety on revolvers that keeps the hammer from making contact with the firing pin or cartridge unless the trigger is pulled to the rear for firing.
Heavy Barrel
A revolver barrel of greater than standard diameter that adds additional muzzle weight to help dampen recoil and muzzle flip.
Lug (Full) (Half)
A protrusion beneath the barrel of a revolver that provides strength, stability and weight. Full-lug barrels that extend the entire length of the barrel are often preferred on competition or hunting guns as they provide additional weight to help dampen recoil and muzzle flip. Half-lug barrels feature barrel lugs that extend part of the way down the barrel.
Magazine
A container that holds the cartridges in a semiauto pistol and through the use of a spring positions them for feeding into the pistol's chamber.
An attachment to the barrel designed to vent some of the propellant gases at an angle so that recoil is reduced.
Primer
The sensitive explosive substance which ignites the main charge of the cartridge.
Range Officer
The official in charge of a range who gives the commands of the event to the shooters. It is the Range Officer that is responsible for the safe conduct of the events.
Referee
The official used to solve any disputes about the way the event is conducted or to help judge any scoring queries.
Revolver
A handgun that contains the cartridges in a cylinder that revolves around a centre point at the rear of the barrel.
Rifling
The term given to the grooves cut into the barrel to produce rotation of the projectile as it moves down the barrel. It is this spinning of the projectile that gives it stability during its flight.
Round Butt
A revolver that has a forward curve in the lower rear grip area.
Sights--Adjustable Front
A front sight that features height adjustments and is used in competition shooting to adjust the point of impact at varying distances and for varying loads.
Sights-Adjustable Rear
A rear sight that features adjustment for elevation (vertical) and windage (horizontal) to allow the shooter to change sight alignment to match various ammunition.
Sights--Interchangeable Front
A front sight system that features several interchangeable sights that allows the shooter to choose a sight best suited to the shooting application.
Sights-Patridge Front
A squared-off front sight, usually found on competition guns, that creates a clear, distinct front sight picture.
Sights-Ramp Front
An angled front sight, usually found on service guns, that makes holstering and drawing from a holster more snag resistant.
Sights-Red Ramp Front
A red plastic piece inserted into a cut on the front sight ramp and designed to make it quicker to find the front sight and distinguish it from the rear sight.
Sights-White Outline Rear
A rear sight that features a white line around the notch that makes it easier to distinguish the rear sight from the front sight.
Single Action
A firing action that requires the hammer to be manually cocked in order to fire the gun. In single-action pistols only, the first shot requires the hammer be cocked while a single-action revolver requires the hammer be manually cocked for every shot.
Square Butt
A revolver that is not curved in the lower rear grip area.
Stainless Steel
Steel containing a high percentage of chromium, making it more rust resistant.
Striker
A firing mechanism that when released by pulling the trigger uses the energy from a compressed spring to strike the primer.
Topstrap
The part of a revolver frame located above the cylinder.
Transfer Bar
The strip of metal that joins the trigger unit to the hammer unit. Typically, it moves to disengage the sear when the trigger is pulled.
Trigger-Combat
A narrow, smooth trigger designed for rapid shooting.
Trigger-Target
A wider trigger designed to give the target shooter firm, full control.
Trigger Shoe
An additional part that is attached to the trigger to make the trigger wider than the original factory trigger. Is also used to effectively move the placement of the trigger further out from the pistols frame, making it more comfortable for people with longer fingers.
Wheelgun
A generic term for revolver.
Yoke
That part of a revolver having a swing-out cylinder which is attached to the frame and on which the cylinder and ejector rod are mounted.
