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Small Arms Terminology Trivia Quiz

Here are some terms from the world of small arms. I will define the term, you guess what it is.

A multiple-choice quiz by delgriffith. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
delgriffith

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
306,446

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
15

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
9 / 15

Plays
994

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

Last 3 plays: Guest 67 (12/15), Guest 204 (12/15), Guest 81 (15/15).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 15

1. Which of these terms describes an imaginary line drawn down the center of the barrel from chamber to muzzle, generally used for ballistic calculations? Hint

Center of the bore

Axis of the bore

Parallax of the bore

Plumb of the bore

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Question 2 of 15

2. Which one of these terms describes the internal area forward of the cartridge chamber, extending to the point of full bore diameter? Hint

Chamber Neck

Chamber Throat

Chamber Flute

Chamber Step

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Question 3 of 15

3. Which of these would be a device attached to or integral to the muzzle end of the barrel that utilizes propellant gases to counteract muzzle climb or jump? Hint

Compensator

Flash Suppressor

Recoil Damper

Buffer

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Question 4 of 15

4. Which of these would be a device used to prevent a semi-automatic firearm from firing automatically? Hint

Sear

Disconnector

Bent

Connector

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Question 5 of 15

5. What would be the part of a firing mechanism which strikes the cartridge primer to ignite the propellant and fire the cartridge? Hint

Igniter

Flash Commencer

Match

Firing Pin

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Question 6 of 15

6. What is the term used to identify the diameter of a shotgun bore? Hint

Gauge

Bore Weight

Calibre

Shot

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Question 7 of 15

7. What is the distance from the front face of the bolt or breech block to the rear face of the chamber when in the locked position? Hint

Cartridge Gap

Chamber Clearance

Case Clearance

Headspace

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Question 8 of 15

8. What is the system of operation which allows a totally unlocked breech on firing? Hint

Blowback

Pass Dead Center

Recoil

Gas Assist

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Question 9 of 15

9. What part of the firearm holds the hammer in a cocked position until the trigger is pulled? Hint

Bent

Sear

Seat

Detent

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Question 10 of 15

10. Which term would describe a system of engraving in the bore to impart stability and velocity to the projectile? Hint

Lands

Rifling

Grooves

Guides

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Question 11 of 15

11. What is the condition in which the breech is solidly closed and ready to fire? Hint

Locked

Sealed

Ready

Closed

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Question 12 of 15

12. What is a device attached to the end of a barrel that vents emerging propellant gas from the cartridge in a sideways or rearward direction to reduce recoil? Hint

Compensator

Chamber Vent

Suppressor

Muzzle Brake

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Question 13 of 15

13. What term describes the sealing of propellant gases within the bore so as to impart maximum velocity and stability to a projectile? Hint

Velocification

Chamber Sealing

Obturation

Pressure Retention

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Question 14 of 15

14. What is the distance between the rear face of a seated cartridge and the face of the bolt? Hint

Headspace

Head Clearance

Cartridge Clearance

Cartridge Case Head Clearance

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Question 15 of 15

15. What is the study of an object in flight, and the variables which affect said object? Hint

Projectilism

Physics

Ballistics

Plane Geometry

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Nov 06 2024 : Guest 67: 12/15
Oct 28 2024 : Guest 204: 12/15
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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Which of these terms describes an imaginary line drawn down the center of the barrel from chamber to muzzle, generally used for ballistic calculations?

Answer: Axis of the bore

The axis of the bore is a line through and parallel to the center of the bore. The bore is the inside of the barrel.

2. Which one of these terms describes the internal area forward of the cartridge chamber, extending to the point of full bore diameter?

Answer: Chamber Throat

The chamber throat can also be referred to as the leade or forcing cone in a shotgun.

3. Which of these would be a device attached to or integral to the muzzle end of the barrel that utilizes propellant gases to counteract muzzle climb or jump?

Answer: Compensator

High-powered firearms jump when fired. Automatic firearms will climb and move in the direction of rifling twist when fired. A compensator vents some of the propellant gases in an upwards and sideways direction to dampen the effect. Flash suppressors don't have a direction-imparting force, they are vented the whole circumference of the barrel. Buffers slow rearward movement of the recoiling parts.

4. Which of these would be a device used to prevent a semi-automatic firearm from firing automatically?

Answer: Disconnector

The disconnector directly or indirectly retains the hammer in the cocked position after firing so as to interrupt the cycle of operation, and prevent automatic firing.

5. What would be the part of a firing mechanism which strikes the cartridge primer to ignite the propellant and fire the cartridge?

Answer: Firing Pin

The firing pin can also be called a hammer nose if it is integral to the hammer, or a striker if it does not operate in line with the axis of the bore.

6. What is the term used to identify the diameter of a shotgun bore?

Answer: Gauge

Gauge measurement is the number of round lead balls of bore diameter that equal one pound. 12 Gauge is the diameter of one lead ball that weighs 1/12 lb.

7. What is the distance from the front face of the bolt or breech block to the rear face of the chamber when in the locked position?

Answer: Headspace

Proper headspacing is a critical measurement that is vital to the safe operation of a firearm. Improper headspacing can cause the breech locking mechanism to malfunction, and can lead to an explosion of the breech, causing serious injury or death.

8. What is the system of operation which allows a totally unlocked breech on firing?

Answer: Blowback

A blowback action allows a totally unlocked breech on firing, and relies simply on the mass of the breech block, the strength of the return spring, and the recoil energy of the fired cartridge to cycle the action. Blowback actions are commonly found in pistols and low-powered rifles.

9. What part of the firearm holds the hammer in a cocked position until the trigger is pulled?

Answer: Sear

The sear is what holds the hammer in the cocked position, and is either indirectly or directly disengaged when the trigger is pulled to fire the cartridge.

10. Which term would describe a system of engraving in the bore to impart stability and velocity to the projectile?

Answer: Rifling

Rifling was invented in the middle ages. It can be uniform (rate of twist remains constant from the chamber to the muzzle) or progressive (rate of twist increases at the muzzle end). Progressive twists are commonly found in artillery and other arms with short barrels. It acts like an accelerator for the projectile.

11. What is the condition in which the breech is solidly closed and ready to fire?

Answer: Locked

Locked is the condition in which the breech block is solidly secured in a fixed relationship to the chamber in such a means so as to prevent blowback. Also known as "In-Battery".

12. What is a device attached to the end of a barrel that vents emerging propellant gas from the cartridge in a sideways or rearward direction to reduce recoil?

Answer: Muzzle Brake

A muzzle brake is often found on high-powered rifles where accuracy is paramount. Sniper rifles are a good example, as recoil can cause the rifle to pull when firing - and miss the target.

13. What term describes the sealing of propellant gases within the bore so as to impart maximum velocity and stability to a projectile?

Answer: Obturation

Rearward obturation is usually provided by the soft cartridge brass expanding against the chamber wall. Forward obturation is provided by the projectile being a slightly larger diameter than the bore (two or three thousandths of an inch).

14. What is the distance between the rear face of a seated cartridge and the face of the bolt?

Answer: Cartridge Case Head Clearance

Proper cartridge case head clearance is combined with proper firing pin protrusion to ensure reliable firing of a weapon. It is commonly confused with headspace.

15. What is the study of an object in flight, and the variables which affect said object?

Answer: Ballistics

Ballistics is the study of a flying object. It can be divided into four categories:

Internal Ballistics - Studies the projectile from chamber to exiting the bore.
Intermediate Ballistics - Studies the projectile from the moment it leaves the muzzle to the moment it reaches maximum stability.
External Ballistics - Studies the projectile from the point of maximum stability to the point of impact.
Terminal Ballistics - Studies the projectile from the moment of impact to the cessation of flight and travel.

Source: Author delgriffith

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor trident before going online.
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