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Getting to Know Your Firearm: Parts of a Gun Diagram

Getting to Know Your Firearm: Parts of a Gun Diagram

Posted by Jata Tactical on 21st Apr 2023

How many times have you loaded your gun, switched over the safety, honed in on your target, and pulled the trigger? If you're like us, it's too many times to count. During any of these sessions, have you stopped to think about what's happening inside your gun or how the different parts of your firearm work?

Key Takeaways


  1. Each gun type contains different pieces that may vary depending on the firearm.
  2. Each component of a gun is necessary for the overall function of the device, and without one piece, the device won't function properly.
  3. While there are different gun types, most have similar parts, such as a barrel, grip, trigger, and recoil spring.

Getting to Know Your Gun

Back before I dedicated my work towards providing high-quality gun parts,  gun parts kits, tactical gear, and accessories, I remember a point in my life when I realized how important it is to know how my gun worked.

It seemed every chance I had, I was heading over to the shooting range, and anytime I experienced an issue with my gun, I wasn't sure how to fix it.

Sometimes my gun would hangfire or misfire– and depending on whether it was my gun or not, I was unsure of which parts were the culprit. I wanted to have more confidence at the range and look like I knew what I was doing– even if I didn't.

That sent me down the rabbit hole of wanting to learn everything I could about firearms, how they function, what to do if they lock up, and how to customize them to get the best range.

Over the years, I've become well versed in all of my firearms, their parts, and functions, and I believe understanding even the most basic parts of a gun is a great way to give you a stronger sense of control and confidence while shopping for  gun parts near me or on the range.

What are the Main Components of a Firearm?

It's true that no two guns are the same, but they have common parts and functions that are easy to understand once you know their basic components.

Before learning these, I felt like I was looking at the inside of a computer, trying to decipher what each part meant. Although, after trying to swap out my laptop's battery on my own, I can confidently say that learning gun parts is much easier.

Now, I can look at almost any gun and point out the barrel, muzzle, cylinder, trigger guard, hammer, and any other part that the gun has.

Barrel

We're going to start easy. I'm sure you know where the barrel is, but who knows--maybe you're new to owning a firearm or considering owning your first one. Everyone's gotta start somewhere, right?

The barrel is the long tunnel that the bullet travels through, usually made of metal, and has internal grooves that spin the bullet quickly while it exits the firearm. The barrel length and width depend on the type of gun. Rifles have a long, slender barrel, while a handgun's barrel is more compact and thick.

Slide

Where does the name slide come from? This part of the gun literally moves forward and backward. Only certain guns have slides, and their purpose is to conceal the barrel. When you pull the trigger, an explosion is released inside the barrel, and the slide moves from open and close. This removes the old cartridge and then repositions the new one in the barrel.

Trigger

Yes, another easy one. Even if you know nothing about guns, you probably know what a trigger is. The trigger is the magic button that tells the rest of the gun that it's time to fire. When you pull the trigger, it releases the hammer. The hammer then strikes the firing pin, which lights up the cartridge.

Trigger Guard

Trigger guards are essential to a gun's safety. These guards act as a barrier that prevents the trigger from being pulled and having an accidental discharge.

Recoil Spring

Have you ever had a kickback that knocked you off your feet? Luckily, guns have a recoil spring to help prevent this from happening.

Without a recoil spring, you'd eat most of the kickback every time you fired off. Recoil springs are tough springs inside the gun's frame that absorb the recoil, lessening the impact and tension produced.

Ammunition

Ammunition is just a fancy name for cartridges, which are made from gunpowder, primer, and bullet. The ammunition or bullet exits out of the barrel. Bullets are made from different materials, but some sort of metal is the most common.

Frame

The frame is the body of the gun. If our skin conceals bones and organs, a gun's frame conceals the bullet, barrel, trigger, and every other piece of the firearm.

You're probably most familiar with the frame as they are the most distinct part of a gun's look. They come in all shapes and sizes, depending on the gun, and can be customized by your preference.

Chamber

The chamber is the spot on the gun where you load the ammunition. This chamber securely holds each ammunition until it's ready to be fired.

Firing Pin

How does the cartridge know when to fire? A firing pin is a small metal rod. The pin is pushed forward by the slide or hammer and strikes the cartridge when the trigger is activated.

Safety

The safety is a switch or lever on a firearm that prevents it from firing. The safety is much more important than a trigger guard, as it completely disables or enables the entire gun's functions when needed.

Sights

The sights of a gun are what help you aim at a target. There are sometimes both front and rear sights, and they are located on the firearm's barrel, slide, and frame. Depending on the type of gun, there are different types of sights, such as lasers, dots, peep sights, open sights, and iron posts.

Muzzle

Muzzles aren't just for mutts. The muzzle is the mouth of a gun's barrel where the bullet expels. These components can vary depending on the gun, and how it's designed has an impact on the performance of the gun.

Cylinder

A cylinder is a type of chamber that some firearms carry. A revolver has a cylinder that stores ammunition and rotates every time it's fired off. A cylinder contains different chambers that you can load multiple ammunition into at once.

Magazine Release

In firearm talk, magazines aren't a flimsy booklet you skim through while you wait at the dentist's office. Magazines are part of a gun that can hold multiple cartridges at once. The Magazine release is a button that releases the magazine so you can empty the spent cartridge and replace it with a new one.

Grip

The grip provides the grip. Simple, right? The grip is located below the barrel where the shooter holds the gun. You won't have enough control over the firearm without a proper grip. Some grips are textured or have ridges to increase your stability.

Test Out What You've Learned

Now that you've learned the essential parts of a gun, test out your knowledge on one of your firearms. It took me a few days to remember what each part was and the role it played in the overall function of the gun.

Even if you previously knew a few parts and their functions, doesn't it feel great to have a better understanding of your firearm?

Whether you have a semi-automatic pistol, a rifle, or a standard handgun, knowing the ins and outs of your firearm helps protect you when something goes wrong.

Parts malfunction, break, and sometimes need to be replaced. If you ever need a firearm replacement part, check out our selection of gun parts and accessories!

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