TABLE OF CONTENTS Preface • M1903 Springfield History of Firearms • Gewehr 98 • The Very First Ignition Systems Pump Action Firearms • Samuel Colt • Ithaca 37 • Advent of the Automatic Firearm • Franchi SPAS-12 Types of Firearms Single Action Handguns • Browning P35 • Revolvers • Colt Peacemakers • Semiautomatic handgun Double Action Machine Guns • P229R Shotguns • Glock pistols Action Types of Firearms Lever Action • The Frame • The Browning BLR • The Trigger • The Winchester Model 94 • Safety Semi-Automatic Action • Magazine • M1911 • Action Release • The Dragunov Sniper Rifle • PROVE a Firearm Ammo Types Types of Actions in Firearm .22 • Single Action .25 • Double Action .380 • Hinge or Break Action 9mm • Bolt Action .38 Special • Pump Action .40 • Lever Action .44 Magnum • Semi-Automatic Action .45 ACP Common Firearms in Each Category .50AE & .500 S&W Magnum Bolt Action Firearms Conclusion The Ultimate Guide to Firearms 2 American Gun Association © 2015 PREFACE Since early times, various tools helped the formation and growth of the earli- est social units and improved their infrastructure. Ever since mankind has be- gun using tools, weapons have also been the primary focus. For centuries and continuing to this day, firearms have been the most effective weapon man can wield. It has aided civilizations throughout history put food on the table, provide protection, acquire or defend territories and in the enforcement of the law. For millennia, mankind has been fascinated with projectile weapons. It began with hunting animals with spears, bows and then in the middle of the 1250 AD China, with firearms. But more accurately, it was the invention of gunpowder that resulted in the development of firearms. The first recorded use of gunpowder was over 1000 years ago in Ancient China, but it was primarily used for firecrackers and had limited military weapon applications. As the knowledge of gunpowder slowly disseminated to Europe in the 14th century, it eventually led to widespread military use. This eBook, ‘LOCKS, STOCK, AND TWO SMOKING BARRELS’ is about the his- tory of firearms, where they originated and their present day innovations. From there, the readers will learn about the different types of firearms that have commonly been in use, and the most innovative firearms that are in circulation today. Essentially, this book is a one-stop guide and an introduction into the world of firearms. The Ultimate Guide to Firearms 3 American Gun Association © 2015 HISTORY OF FIREARMS When one looks at the historical timeline of firearms, The Very First Ignition Systems the origin of modern day firearms was first recorded Over the following four centuries, the primary focus in 1364 and then spread with the advent of automatic in the evolution of projectile weapons was to search handguns in 1892. The precise origin point of the for a more realizable and effective way to ignite gun- main ingredient responsible for the invention of fire- powder for an effective delivery system. The underly- arms, gunpowder, is unknown. The location however, ing goal of this research was to find a way to fire rapid has been narrowed down to the regions surrounding shots with improved accuracy. Turkey, China, and Europe. The very term ‘lock, stock and barrel’ refers to the The first recorded description of the rapidly burn- firearm design that represents three main compo- ing exploding powder was around 1250 AD. It was nents of early firearms. The barrel needs no explana- a coded document by Roger Bacon, a Franciscan tion, the stock is a wooden component atop where monk, with the combination of sulfur, charcoal, and the barrel is mounted, and the lock is the mechanical saltpeter; the ingredients used to make gunpowder. contraption used for igniting the gunpowder charge that’s inside the barrel chamber. The application of this concept to handheld weapons then took half a century. The very first firearm to be The very first gun to combine the lock, stock, and the made was in 1350, called hand gonnes or hand can- barrel was made in early 1400s; the Matchlock was nons. These miniature cannons were designed to be ignited using a slow match. The slow match was a easily held by hand or attached to barrels to be used chemically treated cord or rope, that once ignited, by soldiers. To give you a clearer idea, they were continued to smolder and burn. It’s apparent that it loaded in the same way as full sized cannons. was really awkward to fire the Matchlock, as the user had to hold both the slow match and the gun, while trying to aim and dip the match in the touch hole. The Ultimate Guide to Firearms 4 American Gun Association © 2015 Samuel Colt Advent of the Automatic Firearm The firearms mechanism gradually evolved until Following the revolver, the first automatic firearm was Samuel Colt came up with the design of the first ac- created in 1892 and the man behind this was Joseph curate, multi shot, revolving firearm that was mass- Laumann. The following year, in 1893, the Borchardt produced. It was the year of 1852, when various pistol was developed and it was the first automatic revolving designs were already available, but the pistol that had a separate magazine in its grip. parts that needed precision couldn’t be made using Soon after that, a variety of automatic weapons fol- available technologies. Colt was the first person to lowed in rapid succession; among them were the apply industrial tools and machinery in the develop- Mauser, Luger, Browning, and Colt designs. ment of the Colt Revolver. HOW TO CHOOSE A DOG The Ultimate Guide to Firearms 5 American Gun Association © 2015 TYPES OF FIREARMS firearm is sufficient to stop an attack, and at the same time, it is light enough that the recoil doesn’t wrest away from the hand of the shooter. Capable of rap- idly firing one shot after another, the two most com- mon types of handguns are semi automatic pistols and double action revolver. Revolvers The revolver has many unique features and several advantages. Most importantly, these guns are cheap to manufacture, as they are simple in design, offer reliable operation compared to semiautomatics, not to mention, they can never jam. This is the first gun every novice begins with, and masters fairly easily. Because revolvers have fewer moving parts than semiautomatics, they are also more accurate. The only drawback of this weapon is that it holds only six shots, and the reload time is There are different categories of firearms; each is long as every bullet needs to be inserted by hand. suited for a specific type of use. This section will Semiautomatics are great in terms of reloading, as cover all the categories and varieties of firearms in they only require the shooter to eject and replace a each category. The broadest of all firearm categories preloaded magazine clip. is the Handgun, which is followed by Long Guns. Different revolvers have different dimensions to Handguns compliment certain aspects of the firearm. For Despite being used for hunting and in competitions, instance, revolvers with long barrels are designed these guns were designed keeping self-defense in for accuracy; whereas revolvers with shorter barrels mind. The compact designs enable individuals to are designed to be easily concealable. The sight of a easily conceal and carry them. Because it can be revolver is usually a blade that’s located at the front concealed so easily, it is deemed dangerous and end and the notch on the rear. A frame of the revolver strictly controlled by the laws in most states. is the firearm’s largest component, and made using plated or blued steel, lightweight alloys, and stainless Handguns are capable of firing fairly accurately at a steel. Weighing between 1 and 4 lbs., the cylinder target at a moderate range. The energy delivered by contains five or six bullet chambers depending on The Ultimate Guide to Firearms 6 American Gun Association © 2015 the type of revolver, and is swung out for reloading. Semiautomatic handgun A semiautomatic pistol is a much recent develop- In order to allow the cylinder of the revolver to turn ment than the revolver. The efforts of John Browning freely, there’s a gap between the frame and the have resulted in the modern day semi automatics cylinder. This gap also allows the smoke and gas to that we use. In fact, most semiautomatic handguns escape. This gas also leaves a residue on the hands today, are a copy or variation of his most famous de- of the shooter and other items close to the revolver signs, the Cold 1911 and the browning Hi Power 9mm. when the weapon is fired. This allows forensic analy- sis by a pathologist in order to reconstruct the scene The main advantage of a semiautomatic is that it of a crime. uses the recoil generated from the first cartridge fired to eject the shell casing and load another one at the When the trigger is pulled, the lock-work rotates the end of the cycle and re-cock the hammer for the cylinder, cocks and lets the hammer fall. In this ac- next shot. This mechanism makes it easier to fire mul- tion, there are two varieties, a single action revolver tiple shots instantaneously. Depending on the type of and double action revolver. A single action trigger automatic, the rounds can hold range between 9 and requires the cock to be manually pulled back where- 19 rounds. as the double action revolver cocks the revolver and turns the cylinder in a single trigger pull. There are The disadvantage on the other hand, is the firearm’s different grips available for revolvers as well, smaller complicated mechanism, which requires more grips are for those firearms that can be hidden easily practice to learn, and maintain.