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safety. You will also be able to observe, fix, and di-
The Basics of agnose any further malfunctions the firearm may

Handguns, Rifles, experience under normal use. This information
will help with service and maintenance of most
and Shotguns firearms. You do not have to be an expert on
every make and model of every type of firearm
available, as long as you have an understanding
of the “basics.” And remember to always follow
What is the difference between pistols, rifles and
all safety rules when handling any firearm.
shotguns? What is the difference between lever
and semi-automatic action or what is a two-
stage, single-action trigger? There is an over- CYCLE OF OPERATIONS
abundance of firearms of different types, with
Almost every firearm functions in the same basic
different actions and modes of operation from
manner. The differences between these firearms
manufacturers all over the world. It would be
is based on how each one of the steps is accom-
a huge undertaking to learn how every firearm
plished. These steps or “cycle of operations” can
ever made works, but understanding the types
be accomplished either manually or automati-
of firearms, actions, and modes of operation will
cally. The means by which these cycles are com-
provide a foundation of understanding if you
pleted define both the type of action and opera-
ever come across a firearm you have never seen
tion. These steps include feeding, chambering,
before. This information will also make you safer.
locking, cocking, firing, unlocking, extracting,
Understanding firearm basics will allow you and ejecting. Every firearm will perform these
to safely load and unload any firearm you may specific cycles either manually or automatically,
encounter as well as activate and deactivate any but may not be specifically in this order.

Figure 1: Different types of pistols, rifle, and shotguns.

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