(Newswire.net — December 2, 2021) —
Did you know that 30% of Americans own a firearm today?
From hunting to self-defense, guns are versatile tools with a range of uses. While most people have seen a gun fired, not everybody understands the technology behind a bullseye.
So, how do guns work? If you’ve ever wondered, our helpful guide has you covered. From basic ballistics to different firing mechanisms, let’s take a look at the mechanics of a gunshot.
Read on for everything you need to know about gun technology.
What Is a Gun?
Put simply, guns and firearms are things that launch projectiles at high speed. A gun incorporates a metal tube from which a shell, bullet, cannonball, or other projectile is ejected using the force of a controlled explosion.
Most guns employ pressurized gas restricted by the barrel to drive the projectile to high speeds. The source of the compressed gas is usually gunpowder or a similar explosive.
The very first guns appeared in China as early as AD 1000. They consisted of a bamboo tube packed with gunpowder used to fire a spear. Gun technology has come a long way since then, with such innovations as the Timney drop-in trigger.
How Guns Fire Bullets
Modern guns fire bullets. A bullet is a metal projectile that makes up part of a gun cartridge.
Gun cartridges have three main parts: the primer, the propellant, and the bullet. When you load a cartridge into a firearm, it enters the gun chamber by either a manual action or a mechanical action, depending on the type of gun.
When the trigger is pulled, a spring mechanism drives a metal hammer into the base of the cartridge, igniting the small explosive charge in the primer. In turn, this ignites the propellant, forcing the bullet up the barrel of the gun.
Modern guns have spiralized patterns in their barrels. This is called rifling. It makes the bullet spin as it exits the barrel and increases stability.
Action and Reloading
Once the bullet has been fired, the cartridge casing needs to exit the chamber. Most firearms feature a mechanism that ejects the spent cartridge and replaces it with a new one.
Some actions exploit the rebound from the explosion or utilize the explosion’s spent gas to chamber a new round and reset the hammer. This allows the gun to fire multiple times in quick succession.
Other types of guns have to be manually reloaded with each shot. These are known as single-shot weapons. In this case, the shooter uses a bolt or break action to remove the used cartridges, then manually reloads the gun.
How Do Guns Work? Explained
So, we’ve answered the question, “How do guns work?” By understanding the principles behind these powerful tools, we can further respect their history and safe handling practices.
Did you enjoy this article? If so, be sure to check out the rest of our blog for everything you need to know about guns, hunting, fitness, and more.