1. INTRO TO FIREARMS
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Instructor: Cheryl LeJune

2. … And Here’s Barney
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3. So, what does … mean?
• Long gun
• Gauge
• Shot size
• Caliber
• Muzzle
• Hand gun
• Rifling
• Caliber
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4. Four Primary Safety Rules
• Always point your muzzle in a safe direction.
• Always treat every firearm as if it were loaded.
• Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot.
• Be sure of your target and what lies in front of and beyond it.
Safety for Children
If you see a gun:
- STOP!
- Don't Touch.
- Leave the Area.
- Tell an Adult.
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5. Parts of a Firearm
• The three basic parts of a modern firearm are:
• Action - loads, fires and ejects ammunition
• Barrel - a metal tube that the projectile passes through
• Stock - supports the action and the barrel
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6. Parts of a Firearm
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Parts of a
Rifle
Parts of a
Shotgun

7. Parts of a Firearm
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Parts of a Revolver
Parts of a Pistol

8. Parts of a Firearm
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Rifles Shotguns

9. Rifle Actions
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Bolt
Action
Lever
Action
Semi-
Automatic
Break
Action

10. Shotgun Actions
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Pump
Action
Semi-
Automatic
Break
Actions
Side-by-side
Over and under
Single shot

11. Long Guns - Differences
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12. Handgun Actions
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Semi-
Automatic
Pistol
Single Action
Revolver
Double
Action
Revolver

13. Sights
Sights on firearms allow the shooter to correctly align
the barrel on the target so accurate shot placement
can be consistently achieved. Sights come in a
variety of styles.
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14. Safeties
Mechanical devices designed to block the action to
prevent accidental discharge of the firearm. Never
rely on safety as an alternative to safe firearm
handing or storage.
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15. Ammunition
• Your responsibility:
• Use only ammunition specified for your firearm
• Store & carry ammunition in a safe & secure manner
• Follow safe loading practices
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Shotgun
Shell
Rifle
Cartridge

16. Ammunition
• Use only ammunition specified for your firearm
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17. How a Gun Fires
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1. Cartridge or shot shell is loaded into the chamber.
2. The firing pin strikes and ignites the primer.
3. The primer ignites the powder.
4. Expanding gasses propel the bullet or shot.

18. Bullet Range
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19. Shotgun Shells
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U.S law requires the use of non-toxic (steel, bismuth, tungsten, etc) while hunting
waterfowl!
Common Gauges
Shot Chart

20. Shotgun Chokes
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Chokes slightly narrow the muzzle of the barrel to influence the shot stream and
deliver a desired pattern. Chokes don't make the shot go farther. Their purpose is
to deliver an effective density of shot at a particular distance.

21. Shot Distance
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22. Firearm Cleaning
• Firearms should be cleaned after each use.
• Before cleaning any firearm, first point the muzzle in a safe direction
and then check to be sure it is unloaded!
• There should be no ammunition in the cleaning area.
• Work undistracted in a well ventilated area.
• Buy a cleaning kit and accessories that are the correct size for the
firearm.
• Using equipment designed for a different caliber or gauge can damage your
firearm.
• Use commercial solvents and gun oils specifically manufactured for firearms.
• After cleaning and a light oiling, store firearms in a secure place under
locked conditions.
• Ammunition should be stored separately from firearms, likewise under lock and
key.
• Rifles and shotguns should be stored muzzle down to prevent oils from
collecting in actions or being absorbed into the stock.
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23. Glossary
• Action - which loads, fires and ejects ammunition
• Barrel - a metal tube that the projectile passes through
• Stock - that supports the action and in many cases, the barrel
• Butt - the end of the stock that is held against the shoulder. Sometimes fitted with a
recoil pad.
• Muzzle - the front end of the barrel where fired projectiles exit.
• Chamber - the beginning of the barrel that holds a cartridge or shot shell for firing.
• Breech - the rear end of the barrel, beginning with the chamber.
• Bore - the interior channel of the barrel through which fired projectiles travel.
• Safety - a mechanical device designed to prevent accidental firing (never to be
used as an alternative to safe firearm handing).
• Magazine - a compartment that holds ammunition for the action to load into the
chamber. This can be built into the stock or a detachable container.
• Trigger - the part moved by the finger that fires the cartridge or shotshell.
• Trigger guard - a protective ring that deters the trigger from being accidentally
struck or touched.
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24. References
• TPWD Hunter Education
• http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/outdoor-learning/hunter-
education/
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