Firearm

A firearm is any type of <a href="/facts/Gun/SHApdBYr">gun</a> that uses an <a href="/facts/Explosive/sUme5Pp8">explosive</a> charge and is designed to be readily carried and operated by an individual. The term is legally defined further in different countries (see legal definitions).
The first firearms originated in 10th-century <a href="/facts/History_of_science_and_technology_in_China/JlA3afbj">China</a>, when <a href="/facts/Bamboo/wGPJ2cEA">bamboo</a> tubes containing <a href="/facts/Gunpowder/AEcB6HCR">gunpowder</a> and <a href="/facts/Lead_shot/DR9Gf5qm">pellet</a> projectiles were mounted on <a href="/facts/Spear/CAs47lgJ">spears</a> to make the portable <a href="/facts/Fire_lance/aKjj1YaR">fire lance</a>, operable by a single person, which was later used effectively as a shock weapon in the <a href="/facts/Siege_of_De%2527an/fwc6QUcq">siege of De'an</a> in 1132. In the 13th century, fire lance barrels were replaced with metal tubes and transformed into the metal-barreled <a href="/facts/Hand_cannon/5rGD3tEL">hand cannon</a>. The technology gradually spread throughout <a href="/facts/Eurasia/KlLI9GDM">Eurasia</a> during the 14th century. Older firearms typically used black powder as a <a href="/facts/Propellant/K88ymXRy">propellant</a>, but modern firearms use <a href="/facts/Smokeless_powder/BQfV4rcN">smokeless powder</a> or other explosive propellants. Most modern firearms (with the notable exception of <a href="/facts/Smoothbore/T6z0unC3">smoothbore</a> <a href="/facts/Shotgun/tGxz1bqj">shotguns</a>) have <a href="/facts/Rifling/63UWYEdX">rifled</a> barrels to impart spin to the <a href="/facts/Projectile/kaDpG3N7">projectile</a> for improved flight stability.
Modern firearms can be described by their <a href="/facts/Caliber/q4hhaID2">caliber</a> (i.e. bore diameter). For pistols and rifles this is given in millimeters or inches (e.g. 7.62mm or .308 in.); in the case of shotguns, <a href="/facts/Gauge_(bore_diameter)/4uN6v9Jw">gauge or bore</a> (e.g. 12 ga. or .410 bore.). They are also described by the type of action employed (e.g. <a href="/facts/Muzzleloader/RpJPVv78">muzzleloader</a>, <a href="/facts/Breechloader/bCzCKg7n">breechloader</a>, <a href="/facts/Lever_action/gYhgnSxR">lever</a>, <a href="/facts/Bolt_action/yEy9pnyG">bolt</a>, <a href="/facts/Pump_action/Uc6vJDyL">pump</a>, <a href="/facts/Revolver/Kxsr0fpq">revolver</a>, <a href="/facts/Semi-automatic_firearm/2mTJkWwp">semi-automatic</a>, <a href="/facts/Automatic_firearm/al4qSyv2">fully automatic</a>, etc.), together with the usual means of deportment (i.e. hand-held or mechanical mounting). Further classification may make reference to the type of <a href="/facts/Gun_barrel/bPyBmQek">barrel</a> used (i.e. <a href="/facts/Rifling/63UWYEdX">rifled</a>) and to the barrel length (e.g. 24 inches), to the firing mechanism (e.g. <a href="/facts/Matchlock/2ppK74kP">matchlock</a>, <a href="/facts/Wheellock/cHgsoFmY">wheellock</a>, <a href="/facts/Flintlock/DQ2jMARj">flintlock</a>, or <a href="/facts/Percussion_lock/kvj5E8ac">percussion lock</a>), to the design's primary intended use (e.g. <a href="/facts/Hunting/z1XhJdB2">hunting</a> rifle), or to the commonly accepted name for a particular variation (e.g. <a href="/facts/Gatling_gun/JD7Shf7S">Gatling gun</a>).
Shooters aim firearms at their targets with <a href="/facts/Hand-eye_coordination/l9vPz4l7">hand-eye coordination</a>, using either <a href="/facts/Iron_sights/v0NvpvhH">iron sights</a> or <a href="/facts/Telescopic_sight/P174A0vB">optical sights</a>. The accurate range of <a href="/facts/Pistol/pQgRhGBM">pistols</a> generally does not exceed 100 metres (110 yd; 330 ft), while most <a href="/facts/Rifle/H3mJx7U4">rifles</a> are accurate to 500 metres (550 yd; 1,600 ft) using iron sights, or to longer ranges whilst using optical sights. Purpose-built <a href="/facts/Sniper_rifle/qoUmojfP">sniper rifles</a> and <a href="/facts/Anti-materiel_rifle/EBVq2k6y">anti-materiel rifles</a> are accurate to ranges of more than 2,000 metres (2,200 yd). (Firearm rounds may be dangerous or lethal well beyond their accurate range; the minimum distance for safety is much greater than the specified range for accuracy.)

Firearm open-in-new

Firearm