Firearms

Firearms

Guns such as pistols or rifles that use explosives to shoot bullets. These are usually small arms as compared to big weapon systems such as artillery cannons or missiles.

Industry: Military

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Firearms

Bluing

Military; Firearms

A passivation process in which steel is partially protected against rust, and is named after the blue-black appearance of the resulting protective finish. True gun bluing is an electrochemical ...

A type of cartridge for a firearm that contains gunpowder but no bullet or shot. When fired, the blank makes a flash and an explosive sound (report). Blanks are often used for simulation (such as in ...

Black powder substitute

Military; Firearms

A firearm propellant that is designed to reproduce the burning rate and propellant properties of black powder (making it safe for use in black powder firearms), while providing advantages in one or ...

Bolt action

Military; Firearms

A type of firearm action in which the weapon's bolt is operated manually by the opening and closing of the breech (barrel) with a small handle. As the handle is operated, the bolt is unlocked, the ...

Breech pressure

Military; Firearms

The amount of rearward force exerted by the propellant gases on the bolt or breech of a firearm action or breech when a projectile is fired. The applied force has both magnitude and direction, making ...

Bolt thrust

Military; Firearms

Blowback

Military; Firearms

A system of operation for self-loading firearms that obtains power from the motion of the cartridge case as it is pushed to the rear by expanding gases created by the ignition of the powder charge.