

Shooters aim firearms at their targets with hand-eye coordination, using either iron sights or optical sights. hunting rifle), or to the commonly accepted name for a particular variation (e.g. matchlock, wheellock, flintlock, or percussion lock), to the design's primary intended use (e.g. 24 inches), to the firing mechanism (e.g. Further classification may make reference to the type of barrel used (i.e. muzzleloader, breechloader, lever, bolt, pump, revolver, semi-automatic, fully automatic, etc.), together with the usual means of deportment (i.e. They are also described by the type of action employed (e.g. 308 in.), or in the case of shotguns by their gauge (e.g. For pistols and rifles this is given in millimeters or inches (e.g. Modern firearms can be described by their caliber (i.e. Most modern firearms (with the notable exception of smoothbore shotguns) have rifled barrels to impart spin to the projectile for improved flight stability. Older firearms typically used black powder as a propellant, but modern firearms use smokeless powder or other propellants. The technology gradually spread throughout Eurasia during the 14th century. In the 13th century, fire lance barrels were replaced with metal tubes and transformed into the metal-barreled hand cannon. The first firearms originated in 10th-century China, when bamboo tubes containing gunpowder and pellet projectiles were mounted on spears to make the portable fire lance, operable by a single person, which was later used to good effect in the Siege of De'an in 1132. The term is legally defined further in different countries (see Legal definitions).

A US Navy sailor fires a Mk 18 Mod 1 carbine at a target.Ī firearm is any type of gun designed to be readily carried and used by an individual.
