FIREARMS

AND
AMMUNITION

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Kinds of Firearms According to gun barrel Internal Construction

1. Smooth-bore Firearms are firearms that have no rifling (lands and grooves) inside
the gun barrel.
Examples: Shotguns, liberator and musket.

2. Rifled-bore Firearms are firearms that have rifling inside the gun barrel.
Examples: pistols, revolvers and other weapons.

Kinds of firearms According to Caliber of projectiles Propelled

1. Artillery includes firearms that propel projectiles one (1) inch and more in diameter.
Examples: cannons, mortars, bazookas
2. Small arms are firearms that propel projectiles less than one (1) inch in diameter.
Examples: machine guns, shoulder arms, and hand guns.

Types of Machine Gun

1. Recoil-operated. A type of machine gun devised with a breechblock move forward

causing another cartridge to be loaded only after the breechblock moves rearward
and empty shell is extracted upon firing.

2. Gas-operated. A type of machine gun equipped with gas at the anterior portion of
the barrel. The picture below is a Vickers. 303, a gas operated machine gun as
shown in the pictures below.

3. Recoil and Gas-Operated. This is the combination of the recoil and gas operated
machine gun as shown in the pictures below.

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Kinds of Firearm According to Loading Mechanism

1. Bolt Action Rifle. This is a type of firearm action in which the weapon’s bolt is
operated manually by the opening and closing of the breech (barrel0 with a small
handle, most commonly placed on the right hand side of the weapon (for right-
handed users). As the handle is operated, the bolt is unlocked, the breech is opened,
the spent cartridge case is withdrawn and ejected, the firing pin is cocked (this occurs
either on the opening or closing of the bolt, depending on design), and finally a new
round/cartridge (if available) is placed into the breech and the bolt is closed.

2. Lever Action Rifle. This is a type of firearm action which uses a lever located
around the trigger guard area (often including the trigger guard itself) to load fresh
cartridges into the chamber of the barrel when the lever is worked as shown in the
pictures below.

3. Slide/Pump Action rifle (Trombone). Loading takes place by back and forth
manipulation of the under forearm of the gun as shown in the pictures below.

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 4. Automatic Rifle. After the first shot is fired, automatic loading of feeding of the
chamber takes place as shown in the pictures below.

Kinds of Firearms According to Firing Mechanism

1. Single Shot – id a firearm that release single projectile when trigger is squeezed.
2. Repeating – is a firearm that automatically reloads and ready for next firing.
3. Semi-automatic- is a firearm that can be set into semi-automatic and is capable of
releasing projectiles when trigger is pressed.
4. Automatic – is a firearm that can release projectiles in a single press of trigger.

Kinds of firearms According to Loading Mechanism

1. Muzzle Loading Mechanism – is a firearm wherein loading of ammunition is done in

the muzzle of the firearm.
2. Breech Loading Mechanism – is a firearm wherein loading is done in the breech of
the firearm.

TWO GROUPS OF FIREARMS

1. Long Arms or Shoulder Arms

a. Rifle – Any firearm having the interior of its barrel rifle that is, engraved with
spiral grooves so as to give spin to a projectile as it is fired.
b. Musket (obsolete) – A long-barreled gun fired from the shoulder with a
smoothbore barrel that lacks the interior spiral grooves, known as rifling which is
seen in modern firearms. Muskets fire a ball-shaped bullet, called round, instead
of the tapered bullet fired by modern guns.
c. Shotgun – A handheld, shoulder-supported smoothbore weapon designed
primarily to discharge multiple projectiles (small round pellets/shots) each time it
is fired.
Examples; gauge 10, 12, 16, 20, and 28.
d. Carbine – A light, short-barreled rifle, Caliber .30. the carbine is essentially the
same as the rifle, but has a shorter barrel (not more than 22 inches). It is a
generally, a smaller caliber, and has a more limited range.
Examples: M-1, M1A1, M-2, M-3

2. Short Arms or Handguns

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 a. Pistol. A short barreled handgun designed to fire a single projectile through a
rifled-bore for every press of the trigger. It is usually applied to semi-automatic
loading. Pistols include Cal.45, 9MM, Cal.380, Cal.32, etc.
b. Revolver. A hand firearm, equipped with a rotating cylinder, serving as magazine
and successively places a cartridge into position for firing.
Examples: Cal. 22, Cal. 8, Cal. 357, magnum 44, magnum 50, etc.

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Name: Yr & Sec: Date:

DRAWING!
Instructions: In a two long bond paper draw the Long firearms and Small firearms and label
their specific parts.

Long Firearm

Small Firearm

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THE CALIBER .45 M1911A1

The Caliber .45 M1911A1 which is popularly called as caliber .45 is one of the
handguns that is mostly used today because of its advantages to the law enforcer or user. In
order for you to know some of the information about a caliber .45, refer to the matrix below.

1. System of operation Short recoil

2. Length 8.578 inches
3. Weight of empty magazine 2.4 pounds
4. Weight of full magazine 3 pounds
5. Length of barrel 5.03 inches
6. Caliber 0.45 inches
7. Rifling 6 grooves and lands
8. Muzzle velocity 830 feet
9. Muzzle energy 17,000 lbs/in2
10. Maximum effective range 50meters
11. Maximum range 1,500 meters
12. Front sight Blade, integral with slide
13. Rear sight Notched bar, dovetailed to slide
14. Sight radius 6,481 inches
15. Safety features Manual safety lever, grip safety, half cook
position
16. Basic load 14 rounds
17. Trigger pull 5-6.5 pounds

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Major groups and Assemblies of Cal.45

1. Barrel Assembly
 Breech end
 Muzzle end
 Bore
 Rifling (lands and grooves)
 Chamber
 Interlocking ribs
 Barrel lug
 Barrel link
 Barrel link pin
2. Slide assembly
 Front sight
 Top strap
 Ejection port
 Rear sight
 Breechblock
 Breach face
 Extractor
 Firing pin
 Firing pin stop
 Serrations
 Trademark
 Model
 Interlocking lugs

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 3. Frame or Receiver Assembly
 Ejector
 Hammer Spur
 Grip safety
 Thumb Safety
 Disconnector
 Backstrap
 Butt
 Lanyard loop
 Front strap
 Magazine well
 Right/Leftside stock
 Trigger
 Trigger guard
 Model
 Plunger
 Serial Number
4. Cycle Operation of Cal.45
 Feeding
 Chambering
 Locking
 Firing
 Unlocking
 Extracting
 Ejecting
 Cocking

THE 9MM PISTOL

Caliber 9mm pistols are of different kinds. In the Philippines, 9mm pistols are issued
to members of the Philippine National Police (PNP). The 9mm berretta was officially issued
before for the PNP members. Glock 9mm pistols were also issued to the members of the
PNP during the time of president Gloria M. Arroyo and President Corazon C. Aquino.

General Data of 9mm

1. Primary function - Semiautomatic pistol

2. Builder - Beretta and Beretta USA
3. Length - 8.54 inches (21.69 centimeters)
4. Width - 1.50 inches (3.81 centimeters)
5. Height - 5.51 inches (14 centimeters)
6. Barrel length - 4.92 inches (12.5 centimeters)
7. Weight fully loaded - 2.55 pounds (1.16 kilograms)
8. Bore diameter - 9 mm (approximately .355 inches
9. Maximum effective range - 1152.5 feet (50 meters)
10. Magazine Capacity - 15 rounds
11. Muzzle velocity - 1200 feet (365 meters) per second

How to load and Fire a 9mm Pistol

1. Press button on the side of the hand grip to eject magazine;

2. Insert ammo one at a time, with the rounded side forward, until magazine is full;

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 3. Re-insert magazine by pushing upward into hand grip until you hear a clicking noise
indicating that the magazine has been locked in place;
4. Disengage the safety by pushing down the safety lever at the top rear of the gun;
5. Pull back slide on top of the barrel to load bullet into the firing chamber;
6. Aim down the sight of the target;
7. Place pointing finger onto trigger when you’re sure you have a target and you are
ready to shoot; and
8. Pull trigger once for each shot you fire.

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Educational Videos
Instructions: Place the link below in your browser and watch, at the end of the video write
the lessons you gained from the video in a bond paper.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kXNIoGUshs

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Disassembly and Assembly
(PSBRC module II. Police tactical responses)

General. Disassembly and assembly operations should be carried out by the user for routine
maintenance of the pistol. Disassembling or assembling of any parts is not recommended
and will void all warranties. It should ne carried out on a clean surface and all the
disassembled parts should be arranged in the order of their removal.

Caution. Before disassembling the pistol, check that it has no magazine and has no live
ammunition.
Disassembling the Pistol
1. With the unloaded pistol, move safety to the “fire” position and manually move the
hammer to the cocked position;
2. Push the slide slightly to the rear until the mark at the end of the slide is just above
the mark on the frame;
3. While holding the pistol in that position, remove the slide catch lever by pushing the
pin of the lever on the opposite side of the frame;
4. Pull the slide of the frame;
5. Remove the recoil spring assembly from its housing under the barrel;
6. Remove the barrel from the slide.

Assembling the Pistol

1. Insert the barrel into the slide to its innermost locked position;
2. Insert the recoil spring assembly by manually pressing down towards the barrel,
making it sure that it is securely fit into the bottom lug of the barrel;
3. Make sure that the hammer is in cocked position;
4. Mount the slide on the frame and push it to the rear until the marks are in line, one
above the other, then insert the slide catch pin until it snaps into place;
5. Check correct pistol operation by cocking it; and
6. Check trigger and hammer operation and verify that safety is functioning properly and
safely.

Inspecting the Pistol

According to Agliam (2010), there are varied ways to check or inspect a pistol as
shown in the following tests:

1. Safety Lock Test

 Do not actuate the trigger until the weapon has been cleared.
 With the pistol unloaded, cock the hammer and press the safety upward into
the safe (locked) position. Before staring an inspection, be sure to clear the
weapon. Grasp the grip as the grip safety is depressed then squeeze the
trigger tightly 3 or 4 times.
 I f the hammer fails, let a gunsmith handle the problem.
2. Grip Safety test
 With the pistol unloaded, cock the hammer, and without depressing the grip
safety, point the pistol downward and pull the trigger 3 or 4 times.
 If the hammer falls because the grip safety is depressed by its own weight,
consult a gunsmith.
3. Half-cock Position Test
 With the pistol unloaded, draw back the hammer until the sear engages the
half-cock position, notch, then squeeze the trigger. If the hammer falls, see a
gunsmith.
 Draw the hammer back nearly to the full cock position. Do not squeeze the
trigger, then let the thumb slip off hammer. The hammer should fall only to the
half-cock notch.

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 4. Disconnector Test
This test should be conducted for the purpose of testing, otherwise repetition
of this procedure may cause damage to the hammer and sear. This prevents
the firing of more than one shot with each squeeze of the trigger.
 With the pistol unloaded cock of the hammer, push the slide group1 ¼ inch to
the rear and hold in that position while squeezing the trigger. Let slide group
go forward maintaining pressure on the trigger. If the hammer falls, see a
gunsmith.
 Apply pressure on the trigger and then pull it. The hammer should then fall. If
the hammer does not fall, see a gunsmith. Check for a faulty disconnector
which would prevent the hammer from falling. The disconnector should
prevent the release of the hammer unless the slide group is in forward
position.

THE CALIBER .38

The Caliber .38 is still in use today as one of the firearms issued to the members of
the Philippine National police. This firearm belongs to the group of firearms called revolver. It
is vital to know the operational cycle of this revolver. Look at the illustration below and
memorize its parts.

PARTS OF CALIBER .38

Groups or Assemblies of Caliber .38

A. Barrel Assembly
1. Breech end – point of entry the bullet
2. Muzzle end – point of exit of bullet
3. Bore
4. Rifling (land and grooves
5. Front sight
6. Make
7. Model

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 B. Cylinder Assembly
1. Chambers
2. Extractor
3. Extractor rod
4. Ratchet
5. Cylinder grooves
6. Yoke
7. Cylinder locking notches (touch hole)

C. Frame or Receiver Assembly

1. Top strap
2. Rear sight
3. Breech face
4. Hammer
5. Spur
6. Thumb latch
7. Side plate
8. Back strap
9. Firing pin
10. Butt
11. Front strap
12. Trigger guard
13. Trigger
14. Cylinder lock
15. Right side stock
16. Left side stock
17. Trademark
18. Serial number

THE U.S RIFLE 5.56MM M16A1

The U.S Rifle 5.56MM M16A1 is widely known as M16 rifle. This is one of the oldest
and widely used firearms of the then Integrated National Police – PNP, now PNP and AFP.
Until today, it is one of the common firearms used by almost all law enforcement agencies in
the Philippines. The M16 Rifle is characterized to be magazine fed, gas operated, shoulder
weapon, air cooled, and can be set to semi-automatic or automatic fire.

Groups/Assemblies of M16 Rifle

A. Upper Receiver Group

1. Flash Suppressor
2. Barrel
3. Bayonet Stud

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 4. Front sight
5. Upper Sling Swivel
6. Hand guard
7. Sling spring
8. Carrying handle
9. Charging handle
10. Rear sight
11. Forward Assist
12. Bolt assembly
13. Dust Cover

B. Lower Receiver Group

1. Rubber recall pack
2. Trigger Guard
3. Pivot take down pin
4. Stock
5. Pistol grip
6. Trigger
7. Magazine release button
8. Hammer
9. Selector level
10. Lower sling swivel

Cycle of Operation of M16

1. Firing occurs when the firing pin strikes the primer of the cartridge.
2. Unlocking is the unsealing of the breach of the barrel.
3. Extracting is the removing of the empty cartridge from the chamber.
4. Ejecting is the removing of the empty cartridge from the weapon.
5. Cocking is the returning of the firing mechanism to cock position.
6. Feeding occurs when cartridge is placed in the receiver.
7. Chambering is the placing of the cartridge in the chamber.
8. Locking is the sealing of the cartridge in the chamber.

Disassembly and Assembly of M16/AR15

1. Ensure that the weapon is unloaded and cleared. Remove the magazine by pressing
the magazine, released on the side of the weapon and watch the magazine fall clear
of the magazine well.
2. Grasp the charging handle at the rear of the receiver and draw it forcefully rearward.
Visually inspect the chamber to ensure that it is clear.
3. Locate the retaining pin on the side of the receiver above the pistol grip of the
weapon. Press this firmly with the tip of the bullet or other hard, small diameter
object. The upper receiver of the weapon will swing free at this point, connected only
at the forward retaining pin.
4. Remove the charging handle and bolt-carrier group (BCG) from the upper receiver at
this time. Press forward the retaining pin free if a complete disassembly is required
for cleaning.
5. Lay the upper and lower receivers and the charging handle aside. Inspect the BCG
for visible damage and cracking.
6. Remove the bolt retaining cotter-pin from the side of the BCG. This is the small
square-headed pin that is visible in the cut-out detent below the gas tube vent.
7. Remove the bolt and firing pin from the BCG. Avoid further disassembly at the
operator level.

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Assembly

1. Replace the firing pin and bolt in the BCG. Replace the bolt retaining cotter-pin and
ensure that it is free to move in the BCG.
2. Place the charging handle partway into the upper receiver and slide the BCG in
before pushing the complete assembly forward to a locked position.
3. Replace the upper receiver group onto the lower receiver and re-install the retaining
pins. Place the weapon on its safety switch and ensure that the trigger works
properly during the performance of a standard function check of the M16/AR15.

Tips and Warnings

1. All of the individual weapons in the M16/AR15 family are disassembled and
reassembled in the same manner.
2. Do not disassemble your M16/AR15 beyond the level; described. In accordance with
U.S Army field manual “FM 3-22.9 Rifle Marksmanship,” this is the only allowed
disassembly at the operator level. Any further ‘disassembly should be restricted to
approved and trained armorers.
3. Firearms can be inherently hazardous tools. Please observe all applicable safety
rules and regulations. Contact the NRA for assistance locate a Firearms Safety
Instructor in your area.

THE SHOTGUN
A shotgun is also known as a scattergun and peppergun, or historically as fowling
piece. Shotgun is a firearm that is usually designed to be fired from the shoulder, which uses
the energy of a fixed shell to fire a number of small spherical pellets called shot, or a solid
projectile called a shotgun slug.

A shotgun is generally a smoothbore firearm, which means that the inside of the
barrel is not rifle. Preceding smoothbore firearms, such as the musket, were widely used by
armies in the 18th century. The direct ancestor to the shotgun, to the blunderbuss, was also
used in a similar variety of roles from self-defense to riot control.

Laws on Firearms in the Philippines

1. Presidential Decree No. 1866 otherwise known as “Firearm Law of the Philippines”
was issued on June 29, 1973 when t was signed into law by former President
Ferdinand E. Marcos.
2. Republic Act No. 8294 otherwise known as “An act amending some provisions of PD
no. 1866 entitled “Codifying the laws on illegal/unlawful possession, manufacture,
dealing in acquisition or disposition of firearms, ammunition or explosives or
instruments used in the manufacture of firearms, ammunition and explosives and
imposing stiffer penalties for certain violation thereof, was approved on June 6, 1997.

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 3. Republic Act No. 10591 is entitled as the “Act providing for a comprehensive law on
firearms and ammunition and providing penalties for violations thereof.” It was signed
into law on May 29, 2013 by President Benigno S. Aquino III. This law originated
from Senate bill no. 3397 and House Bill No. 5484

Manner of carrying Firearms

1. The sidearm carried by a person in uniform shall be placed in a holster securely
attached to the belt.
The exceptions:
a. Military pilots in flying uniform
b. Crew armored vehicle who may carry their firearm in shoulder holster
2. Uniform personnel carrying firearm without holster prohibited.
3. Law enforcement personnel in civilian clothes who are authorized to carry firearm
outside residence shall ensure that their firearm is concealed unless in actual use for
a legitimate purpose.
4. The practice flagrantly displaying a firearm by tucking it at the waist while in uniform
or civilian clothes is prohibited.
5. Only the firearm specifically described in the permit shall be carried by the person
named therein.

AMMUNITION

Ammunition is also called cartridge or round. Ammunition is also composed of a bullet,

cartridge case/shell/casing, primer and gunpowder. Without one of these parts, there is
no ammunition to talk about. The understanding of many individuals, “bullet” refers to a
live ammunition, is wrong. This must then be corrected by educators teaching subjects
related to firearms. Students under these subjects may also help in the corrective
measures.

Definitions of Ammunition

Legal Meaning. Ammunition refers to loaded shell for rifles, muskets, carbines,
shotguns, revolvers and pistols from which a ball, bullet, shot, shell or other missile may
be fired by means of gunpowder or other explosives (National Internal Revenue Code,
Chapter VII, Sec. 290 and Revised Administrative Code, Sec. 877)

Technical Meaning. Ammunition refers to a group of cartridges or to a single unit

cartridge-meaning a complete unfired unit consisting of a bullet, cartridge of a bullet,
cartridge case, gunpowder and primer.

Cartridge Case
Cartridge case is also called as bullet case/casing/hell. It is a tubular metallic
container of the gunpowder.

Parts of a Cartridge Case

1. Rim – is an external flange that is machined, cast, molded, stamped or pressed
around the bottom o f a cartridge. The rime may serve a number of purposes. The
most common being as the place for the extractor to engage.

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 2. Primer Pocket – holds primer securely in central position. It provides a means to
prevent the escape of the gas to the rear of the cartridge. It also provides a solid
support for primer anvils, without which, the latter could not be fired.

3. Vent or Flash Hole is in the web or bottom of the primer pocket through which the
primer flash provides ignition to the powder changer. It is the “opening or canal” that
connects the priming mixture with gunpowder.
4. Head and Body constitute the corks that plug the breech of the barrel against the
escape of the gas.
5. Neck is the part of the cartridge case that is occupied by the bullet.
6. Cannelures are the serrated grooves that are sometimes found rolled into the necks
and bodies of the cases at the location of the bases of the bullet to prevent the bullet
from being pushed back or loosened.
7. Crimp is the part of the mouth of a case that is turned in upon the bullet. It aids in
holding the bullet in place and it offers resistance to the movement of the bullet out of
the neck which affects the burning of the gunpowder.

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 8. Base is the bottom portion of the case which holds the primer containing the priming
mixture and the shell head containing the head stamp, caliber and the year of
manufacture.
9. Shoulder is the portion which supports the neck.
10. Extracting Groove is the circular groove near the base of the shell designed for the
automatic withdrawal of case after each firing.

Types of Cartridge Case According to Type of Firearms

1. Revolver Cartridges
2. Pistol Cartridges
3. Rifle Cartridges
4. Shotgun Cartridges

Types of Cartridge Case According to Location of Primer

1. Needle-fire cartridges (obsolete)
2. Pin-fire cartridges
3. Rim-fire cartridges
4. Center-fire cartridges

Types of Cartridge Case According to Shape

The types of cartridge case according to shape include Straight shell which is used
for handguns. Tapered shell which is used for rifles, but it is now obsolete and
Bottleneck shell which is used for rifles such as M16, M14 etc.

Types of Cartridge Case According to Rim

The types of cartridge case according to rim includes rimmed, semi-rimmed and
rimless. Rimmed shell has protruding rim at the base which is used by revolvers. The
rim diameter is bigger than the shell body diameter. Semi-rimmed shell has slightly
protruding rim which is also used for handguns. The rim diameter is also bigger than the
shell body. Rimless shell has the same measurement as to the diameter of the rim and
body of shell.

THE BULLET

Bullet is the projectile propelled through barrel of a firearm by means of the

expansive force of gases coming from burning gunpowder.

A bullet is a projectile propelled by a firearm, sling or air gun. Bullets do not normally
contain explosives but damage the intended target by impact and penetration.

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 DIFFERENT TYPES OF BULLET HEADS

The Shotgun Cartridge

A shotgun shell or shotshell is a self-contained cartridge loaded with lead shot or a

shotgun slug which designed to be fired from a shotgun.

Most shotgun shells are designed to be fired from a smoothbore barrel, but dedicated
shotgun with a rifled barrels may take a number of different rounds. A rifled barrel increases
the accuracy of slugs, but makes it unsuitable for firing shot, as it imparts a spin to the shot
cup, causing a cetrifugal force that makes the shot form a hollow “O” shape in flight.

Shot Shell Anatomy

1. Rim
2. Brass head
3. Shell case
4. Wad
5. Shots
6. Primer
7. Gun powder

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Shotgun Modern Cartridge as Alternative Shotgun Cartridge
1. Primer
2. Gunpowder
3. Wad
4. Slug casing (for sabot shell only)
5. Slug (for sabot shell only)
6. Flechette (for flechette shell only)

THE GUNPOWDER

Gunpowder is also called “propellant/powder charge.” When gunpowder is ignited by

the primer flash, it is converted to heated gas under high pressure and propels the bullet or
shots charge through the barrel and to the target. It may come in two forms such as black
powder and smokeless powder. Gunpowder is a substance that burns very rapidly, releasing
of gunpowder are low explosives. As it burns, a subsonic deflagration wave is produced
rather than the supersonic detonation wave which is produced by high explosives produce.
As a result, pressures generated inside a gun are sufficient to propel a bullet, but not
sufficient to destroy the barrel.

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DRAWING
Instructions: In a short bond paper draw the different types of cartridges case

Types of Cartridge Case According to Type of

Firearms

Types of Cartridge Case According to Location of

Primer

Types of Cartridge Case According to Shape

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 Types of Cartridge Case According to Rim

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Name: Yr & Sec: Date:

Instructions: Answer the essay questions briefly.

1. Pistols and revolvers are handguns. What are their differences and similarities?
2. Land and grooves are located inside a rifled-bore barrel. Lands and grooves are
called rifling. Are these important? Why?
3. Caliber may be explained in many ways. How will you determine caliber if the given
is firearm, bullet, shell and or ammunition?
4. What is the importance of the rim of ammunition?
5. What is the purpose of cannelures on the bullet and/or shell?
6. What are the differences and advantages of the types of cartridges according to the
location f primer?
7. What are the purposes/advantages of the different bullet heads?
8. Explain the process on how ammunition explodes from the time of squeezing the
trigger.

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REFERENCES
https://www.google.com/search?q=firearms+and+ammuniti
on+logo&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwiJlfKv74P3AhVM95QKH
fwBCocQ2-cCegQIABAA&oq=FIREARMS+AND+AMMUN&
https://bestpracticeguides.org.uk/firearms/marksmanship/
https://archive.hnsa.org/doc/gunbarrel/index.htm

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