COURSE CODE/ DESCRIPTION: FOR6 / FORENSIC BALLISTICS

MODULE 2: Nature and Classification of Firearms Page 1 of 6

LESSON PROPER

Legal Definition of Firearms

Firearms or Arms as herein used, includes rifles, muskets, carbines, shotgun, pistol,
revolvers, and all other deadly weapons, to which a bullet, ball, shot, shell, or other missiles maybe
discharge by means of gun powder or other explosives. This term also includes air rifle, except
such of being of small caliber and limited range used as toys. The barrel of any firearm shall be
considered a complete firearm for all purposes hereof. (Sec 877 Revised Administrative Code/
Sec. 290 national Internal Revenue Code).

Classification of Firearms
Two General Classifications of Firearms

A. According to Interior Barrel Construction

1. Smooth Bore Firearms
- Firearms that have no rifling (lands and grooves) inside their gun barrel.
2. Rifled Bore Firearms
- Firearms that have rifling inside their gun barrel. Examples: Pistols, Revolvers, and other
modern weapons.
B. According to the Caliber of the projectile propelled
1. Artillery
- Refers to those type of firearms that propels projectile with more than one inch diameter.
2. Small Arms
- Are firearms that propels projectile with less than one inch diameter and it can be handled,
moved and operated by one man.
A. Machine guns
- Machine gun is a type of firearm that is primarily designed for military use. Even in
investigation of shooting cases done in the city, it is not usual or common to encounter this
type of firearm having been used. It can be grouped in three general types:
a. Recoil- operated
- a type of machine gun devised with a recoil spring that is responsible for forcing the breech
block to move forward causing another cartridge to be loaded only after the breech block
moves rearward and empty shell is extracted upon firing.
b. Gas Operated
- is a type of machine gun equipped with gas port at the anterior portion of the barrel. When
a cartridge is fired and the bullet reach the gas port some high-pressure gas will move to
the gas cylinder causing the piston to move to the rear moving or pulling the breech block
to the rear. At this time, the pressure in the chamber has dropped to safe limits and the
various parts are returned to the firing position by the action of the spring around the piston.
c. Combined recoil and gas-operated action
- in this type of machine gun the gas operation merely serve to unlock the breech block by
the pressure moving to the gas port, passing through the gas cylinder and causing the piston
to move to the rear, moving the cam to raise the lock through a stud. Once this is completed,
recoil action caused the breech block to move rearward and completes the opening cycle.
The spring will return the various parts to their closed position and cycle will be repeated
for the next shot.
B. Sub Machine Gun
- Is a light, portable form of machine gun, utilizing a pistol size ammunition, having a
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shoulder stock that may or may not be folded and designed to be fired with both hands.
Basically, there are two types of this firearm according to mechanism. On is having a bolt
operated by a trigger sear causing the cartridge to be fired in open bolt and the other is fired
with a closed bolt position.

B. Shoulder Arms
- Shoulder Arms are those types of firearms that were normally fired from the shoulder e.g.,
rifles and shotguns.
Rifles - A shoulder weapon designed to fire a projectile with more accuracy through a long-rifled
bore barrel, usually more than 22 inches. Just like any other type of gun, rifles appear in
various forms. First, is the Single shot rifle, this is the simplest and yet of many types.
Some with breech block opened by means of a lever, chamber feed type, breech block
opened and closed by hand etc. Second, is the Repeating rifle, a type of rifle loaded with
several cartridges at one time and carries the cartridge into the chambers when it is ready
to be fired, rather than for the shooter to do it by hand. This can be further divided into:
bolt action type, lever type, slide action type and automatic type.

Types of Repeating Rifles

1. Bolt action type
- Bolt action type may appear as either turning bolt or a straight-pull bolt type. The turning
bolt type is manipulated by turning the bolt handle first upward making the bolt in an
unlocked position before pulling the handle to open the chamber causing the cartridge to
be exposed and be ready for another loading and closing before firing. The straight pull
action type as its name implies, the bolt is directly pulled to the rear without being turned.
The chamber will open; loading will follow, and then closed again before firing. The Swiss
army rifle called Schmidt-Rubin is a good example of this type.
2. Lever type
- The name was derived from its manipulation system. It is operated by downward-forward
movement first of the lever by hand, causing the opening, cocking and placing of the
cartridge in its position for loading. After which the lever is pull back to close position
moving the cartridge to the chamber and putting the breech block in place, ready for firing.
An example of this is the Winchester model 91.
3. Slide Action type
- In this type of rifle, a box type magazine is being attached and removed every time that
loading and unloading is desired. The operation is simply done by pulling the slide
backward to open the breech and forward to move the cartridge from the magazine to the
chamber at the same time cocks the hammer and locks the breech block. A good example
of this is the Remington model 760. Another type of a rifle is called Automatic type. It is
a type of a rifle in which firing can be made continuously by a single press of the trigger
and while the trigger is pressed. Firing will only be stop either by the action of the gunner
or when cartridges are all used.
a. Carbine
- A short barrel rifle, with its barrel rifle, measuring not longer than 22 inches. It fires a
single projectile though a rifle-bore either semi-automatic or fully automatic, for every
press of the trigger.
b. Muskets
- is an ancient smoothbore and muzzle loading military shoulder arms designed to fire a shot
or a single round lead ball. A more detailed discussion of musketeers can be found on
chapter 8 in the discussion of ignition system.
c. Shotgun
- A smooth bore and a breech loading shoulder arms designed to fire a number of lead pellets
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or a shot in one charge. (FBA Manual)

A shotgun operates almost exactly in the same way as other rifles. It only differs in some
extent such as the interior barrel construction. Generally, all shotguns are equipped with a
smooth bore barrel designed to fire a number of lead pellets in a single charge. This type of
firearm also appears in various mechanism types. They are as follows:
1. Single Barreled Shotgun
- It is similar to a single shot rifle. It is loaded with a single shotgun cartridge, closed, fired
and to be reloaded manually by the shooter. This is common in a break type, breech-
loading shotgun.
2. Double Barreled Shotgun
- It appears in different variation depending on the barrel position. There are double
barreled shotgun positioned side by side, one over the other (over/under shotgun), with
individual trigger pull or with single trigger pull causing two hammer and firing pin to
fire at the same time.
3. Pump Action Shotgun
- It is also known by the name “slide action” type. In this of a shotgun the hammer is
completely built inside the receiver which makes it unexposed thus, making it known also
as “hammerless shotgun”. Its operation is done by back-and-forth manipulation of the
slide by the shooter.
4. Auto-loading Shotgun
- This type of shotgun has a mechanism similar to auto-loading or self-loading rifles that
permits reloading by the action of the recoil without the shooter taking added effort.

The barrel construction of shotgun may also be found in different bore construction.
These are: (a) the cylinder bore type, a type of shotgun bore with the same diameter throughout
the barrel (from breech to muzzle end); (b) the choke bore type, a type of a shotgun bore with a
diminishing or reducing bore diameter towards the muzzle. It is designed to limit the spread of
the shots or making the shots travel longer before they spread; and (c) the paradox shotgun, a
very rare type of shotgun bore, having a rifling only a few inches from its muzzle point.

C. HANDGUNS
- Those types of firearms that are designed or intended to be fired using one hand e.g.,
pistols and revolvers.
1. Pistol
- In early firearm history, all handguns are generally called as pistols. There were three (3)
classes of pistols in that period. The single shot pistol, the semi-automatic and the
revolving pistol now known as the revolver. The single shot pistol is operated by
depressing the lever causing the barrel to be unlatched and tipped upward. In this position
the cartridge is inserted to the chamber and locked. The hammer is pulled rearward to
cocked and ready to fire.
- The Semi-automatic pistol is the type of pistol most common in existence. This is loaded
through the magazine, a slide action is taken to first load a cartridge to the chamber, upon
firing the empty shell will be extracted and ejected from the firearm at the same time
another cartridge is automatically loaded to the chamber without the gunner exerting
additional effort. Thus, firing can be made successively for every press of the trigger
without again and again reloading

2. Revolver
- Revolver is a type of a hand firearm designed to position cartridges into position for firing
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with the aid of a rotating cylinder serving as its chamber. There are two types of revolvers
according to its mechanical firing action, they are: (a) the single action, a type of revolver
that needs manual cocking of the hammer before squeezing the trigger; and (b) the double
action, a type of revolver that does not need manual cocking. The gunner just presses the
trigger and it both cocked and released the hammer causing a much faster firing.
- Another classification of revolver is according to its mechanical construction for loading
and unloading. They are ejection rod types, considered as the oldest of this classification.
It is loaded by an opened hinged gate at the left side of the gun exposing the chamber and
cartridge are loaded one at a time while rotating the cylinder. After firing, a rod at the
bottom or under the barrel is pushed to the rear to the chamber as the cylinder is again
revolved by hand. Another type of this ejection rod is one that has pin through the center
of the cylinder that is responsible for the complete removal of the cylinder for loading and
unloading. The second type if the break-open type, having a barrel and cylinder hinged
with a latch holding the barrel in place when in a firing position. Loading is done by swing
done of the barrel and the cartridges are inserted to the cylinder and the barrel is returned
to its position for firing. The same thing is observed in unloading the gun. The third type
is the solid frame revolver, cylinder swings out removing the cartridge case, although the
operation is by pushing the extension rod to the rear to unlock and swing out the cylinder.

Types of firearms according to mechanical construction

1. Single shot firearms
- types of firearms designed to fire only one shot for every loading.
Examples: single shot pistols, revolvers and shotguns.
2. Repeating arms
- types of firearms designed to fire several shots in one loading and for every press of the
trigger. Examples: automatic pistols, revolvers, rifles, and shotguns.
3. Automatic firearms
- types of firearms that constitutes a continuous firing in a single press of the trigger and
while the trigger is press.
4. Slide action type
- types of firearms in which loading take place by back and forth manipulation of the
under/over forearms of the gun.
Examples: shotgun and pistols
5. Bolt action type
- types of firearms in which reloading takes place by manipulating the both back and forth.
Examples: Rifles, shotguns and machine guns.
6. Lever type (break type)
- loading takes place by lever action on the firearms.
Examples: Rifles and shotguns.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Pistols and Revolvers

Revolver Advantages Pistol Advantages
1. It is an old standard weapon that its 1. It has a better grip- the hand points
operation is common and almost everyone naturally.
knows how to handle it. 2. It is more compact for the same firing
2.Safer for in experienced users to handle power.
and carry than an automatic pistol. 3. It is easier to load than a revolver.
3. Its mechanism allows the trigger pull to
be better than an average automatic pistol.
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4.A misfire does not put a revolver out of 4. In case of worn out or corroded barrel,
action. a new can be put in at a little expense
5. It will handle satisfactorily old or new without sending the gun to the factory.
or partly deteriorated ammunition which 5. It gives greater number of shots than a
gives a reduced velocity that would jam revolver.
an average automatic pistol. 6. It is easier to clean than a revolver.
7. It gives greater firing power and greater
cases of firing.
8. There is no gas leakage in its operation.
Revolver Disadvantages Pistol Disadvantages
1. It is bulkier to carry than an automatic 1. Ammunition must be perfect otherwise;
pistol. a jam might be experience.
2. Its grip or handle is generally not as 2. A misfire stops the functioning of the
good as gun.
that of pistol. 3. When kept loaded for long time, the
3. It is slower to load. magazine spring is under tension and may
deteriorate and cause problems.
4. It is harder to replace worn out or
broken part – it is a factory job. 4. It cannot use blank or reduced loads.
5. It is hard to clean. 5. It has poorer trigger pull.
6.Worn out or poorly made weapon is 6. The magazine requires a jacketed bullet
subject to variable accuracy due to which is not good for practical use.
improper lining of cylinder. 7. More dangerous to handle and fire.
8. It is not adapted to reloading.
9. Its mechanism ejects empty shell
towards the face of the shooter causing
flinching.
10.It throws out empty shells on the
ground to remain as evidence.
11.It cannot be fired from the pocket
without jamming.

NOMENCLATURE OF FIREARMS AND ITS FUNCTIONS

1. Barrel = the passage way of the bullet. It initiates the motion of the bullet.
2. Bolt = disengages center pin to allow opening of cylinder and blocks hammer.
3. Center pin = serves as locking device for the cylinder.
4. Center pin spring = holds the center pin in a locked position.
5. Cylinder = serves as chamber and magazine for revolver.
6. Cylinder notch = helps hold cylinder in place and aligned for ready firing.
7. Cylinder stop = stop and holds the cylinder in alignment for firing.
8. Double action sear = built into weapon to allow double action firing.
9. Extractor = pulls the empty shells from the cylinder simultaneously.
10. Frame = houses the internal parts of the firearm.
11. Hand (pawl) rotates the cylinder when the hammer is locked
12. Hammer = strikes the blow that initiates the ignition of the primer.
13. Hammer block = safety device that prevents hammer blows to the primer.
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14. Mainspring = provides energy to the hammer to activate firing mechanism.
15. Ratchet = helps in the withdrawal of the cartridge or shells from the chamber of the cylinder.
16. Rebound slide = returns trigger, activates hammer block, and locked hammer.
17. Side plate = provides access to the internal parts.
18. Side plate screws = hold the side plate and yoke in place.
19. Strain screws = controls tension on the mainspring.
20. Thumb latch = actuates the bolt to release the cylinder.
21. Trigger = activates the part necessary to fire the weapon.
22. Trigger guard = guard the trigger to unnecessary action to avoid accidental firing.
23. Trigger spring = provides energy for return movement or rebound slide.
24. Trigger level = contacts rebound slide to return trigger forward.
25. Trigger stop = prevents excessive rearward movement after hammer release.
26. Yoke = pivot connection between the frame and cylinder
Miscellaneous Types of Guns
1. Zip gun = generally referring to homemade gun used by juvenile delinquents in the United
States of America. In the Philippines, it is referred to as paltik.
2. Cane gun, knife pistols, cell phone gun etc. = devices principally designed for other purpose
to which a gun mechanism is incorporated or attached. It is also called as Freakish gun. A type of
a zip gun designed to prevent easy identification
3. Flare gun = designed for tracing or sending signals or locating enemy troops.
4. Gas gun = generally referring to all gun designed for firing tear gas.
5. Harpoon gun = refers to a barbed spear in hunting large fish
6. Liberator =The FP-45 was a crude, single shot pistol designed to be cheaply and quickly
mass produced. It fired a .45 cal. pistol cartridge from an unrifled barrel. Due to the unrifled
barrel, it was intended for very close ambush (1-4 m) its maximum effective range was only
about 25 feet (less than 8 m).
7. Multi-barreled gun = refers to all types of guns containing a number of barrels.
8. Paradox gun = a type of gun which contains lands and grooves a few inches from the muzzle
point.
9. Tool guns = are those devices which resembles a gun design but are generally used for
construction of furniture e.g., glue gun, drilling machine etc.
10. Trap gun = refers to gun used for trapping animals that are fired to woods.