How Much Do You Know About Guns?

Are you a new gun enthusiast getting to grips with guns and spending lots of time practicing at ranges and at home with the help of something like Dry-Fire Laser Training, or are you a bona fide expert in the field of firearms? Are you someone who can recite the core fundamentals of gun safety and best practices in the exercise of locking and loading? From gun history to technical terms, there is a lot to know when it comes to loading your ammo, pointing, and shooting. Let’s put that gun and ammo knowledge to the test and find out if you’re a real hot shot or a range rookie.

Do you know what the best type of ammunition is for self-defense?

If you know your ammo, you know that the jacketed hollow-point bullet takes the cake. This bullet blossoms and tends to stay in the target, causing more damage than its counterpart, the full metal jacket. Hollow-point bullets are used most often as the best option in self-defense because they are most likely to stop the assailant in their tracks. This is an important feature in the event of having to defend against an oncoming attacker. Contrary to popular belief these rounds are safer than FMJs in self-defense situations as over-penetration is unlikely, so long as you hit your target, the people and things behind him should be safe.

Sure that may be an easy question for you long-time gun enthusiasts, but have you heard about the latest Radically Invasive Projectile (R.I.P) round? Touted as the “last round you’ll ever need,” this exploding bullet expands 3” to 4” in diameter once it hits its target, creating massive internal damage.

Which country can be credited with creating the prototype of guns, gunpowder, and firearms?

The first firearms are typically considered to have been the fire lances created in China. These lances were made out of bamboo or metal, and they shot flames and shrapnel in the direction of their targets. Although not very accurate, they were —at the least — startling to their opponents. This predecessor paved the way for all future firearms, as later on the Chinese shared this knowledge with the Middle East, Africa, and Europe.

The first reliable handguns came to life in the 15th century, and thereafter they slowly replaced old-guard weapons. Because they had a lower learning curve than traditional weapons, they quickly became the preferred option in military combat. After handguns hit the battlefields, the first sub-machine guns followed, introduced in 1918 by the German army. The German army also introduced the first assault rifle during World War II.

What is the most powerful handgun on the market?

One of the most powerful cartridges specific to handguns belongs to the .500 Magnum. This cartridge came on the scene in 2003 and has yet to be dethroned. There are a great many powerful handguns on the market, and some of the leaders include the following five:

• The Smith & Wesson .500 has some serious stopping power.

• The Desert Eagle .50 caliber comes into play in many popular movies and is a powerful semi-automatic.

• The Smith & Wesson XVR 460 Magnum shoots at 2,300 feet per second, an impressive speed for a handgun.

• The Smith & Wesson Model 29 Classic’s claim to fame is its use in the movie Dirty Harry.

And here are a few added bits of trivia:

• Do you know what gun is traditionally known as the “Peacemaker”?

The Colt M1873. Samuel Colt made 100,000 of these guns for the Army and Navy, and the Army version, the Colt .45, became a symbol for justice.

• What about the most popular weapon on the planet?

Well, that’s the well-known AK-47. Originally developed for the Soviet Red Army, the AK-47 is a versatile and inexpensive weapon to manufacture, making it the most popular weapon of choice across the globe.

• And the first gun made mostly from plastic?

That’s the Heckler & Koch VP70.

• What about the first assault rifle?

That would be the Sturmgewehr 44, made in 1943. The ingenuity of this rifle and its automatic firing power was the inspiration behind guns such as the AK-47 and the M16. The M16 was introduced during the Vietnam War, and its popularity was due to its lightweight and low recoil.

Which part of your body should touch the “comb” of a rifle when firing, and how do you get your best shot?

The “comb” is also referred to as the “cheek weld.” It is the part of the gun at the top of the stock where you place your cheek to aid in lining up your next shot. Here are a few tips to keep in mind for finding the perfect firing position:

• The grip of your non-firing hand should be light, and most of your muscles should remain relaxed when you are positioned for firing.
• To get your best shot, pull the trigger at the end of a breathing cycle – the pause after you exhale.
• The trigger squeeze should be such that you do not know the precise moment at which the gun will go off. This helps prevent small bodily adjustments in reaction to anticipating the recoil that can ultimately affect your shot.

To help you get your most accurate shot, your trigger should be lined up with the fingerprint of your index finger. You should also be able to reach and use all of the gun’s controls easily, and consistently handle your gun in the same manner every time you pick it up. Many shotguns come with adjustable combs, recoil pads, and triggers that allow you to customize your fit.

Whether you breezed through this trivia or you found yourself a little dusty on your gun and ammunition knowledge, there are plenty of resources out there to help you brush up on your expertise.

Becoming intimately familiar with best practices, technical terms, and even a little history can help you get the most out of your range time and aid you in selecting the ideal ammunition and the perfect firearm for you.