In order to understand how a firearm works let’s look at ammunition. Modern firearms use a cartridge to fire. The cartridge consists of five basic parts.
- The Bullet. This is the projectile that leaves the firearm when its fired.
- The Case. A metallic structure that hold the cartridge together.
- The Powder. This burns to push the projectile out using a hot fast burning powder that creates gas pushing the bullet out.
- The Case Rim. In a semi auto, this is where the extractor pulls the case out of the chamber after firing to eject it.
- The Primer. When the primer is struck by the firing pin it starts the ignition.
–Castle
Image from Wikimedia Foundation at https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/81/Cartridge_cross_section.svg
