FORENSIC BALLISTIC

What is Ballistics?
 Ballistics is the science of the motion of the projectile and the condition that affects their
motion
 It is a science for it is an orderly arranged knowledge, which is a product of series of
experimentation, observation, and testing.
 Ballistics is not an exact science rather it is applied physics or applied science, which is
subject to change and improvement depending upon the demands of the modern
civilizations.
 Ballistics is better to be described as an applied physics for it study the motions of
projectile such as its velocity, trajectory, approximate range, power resistance to air and
other circumstances that will affect its travel.
 Initially, it was studied not for the purpose of identifying firearms and ammunition in
relation to a certain crime rather it was earlier studied mainly for its manufacture, for
industry.
 Gun makers continuously study and innovate on how to effectively propel a projectile
through the use of firearms from an ordinary single shot to automatic one.
 It was only later that its significance in determining cases through identification of
ammunition that Ballistics was finally applied in the administration of justice especially
on cases involving firearms.

THE EVALUATION OF FIREARMS

MAN BEHIND FIREARMS
1. JOHN M. BROWNING - Wizard of the modern firearms and pioneered the breech
loading single shot rifled which was adopted by Winchester.

2. SAMUEL COLT - Patented the first practical revolver and maker of the colt peace
Maker, a famous revolver in the history.

3. ALEXANDER JOHN FORSYTH - Father of the percussion powder.

4. HENRY DERINGER - Gave him name to a whole class of Rifles and Pistols.

5. MAJOR UZIEL GAL - An Israeli army who designed UZI (Israel) in the year 1950.

6. COL. CALVIN H GODDRARD - Father of Modern Ballistics.

7. JOHN C. GARAND - Designed and invented the Semi-Automatic U.S. Rifle cal. 30.
M1 Garand.

8. GEORGE HYDE - A well-known expert in the field of SMG, (a.k.a. grease gun)
developed in 1941. M3A1 (USA)

9. GORDON INGRAMS - Invented the Ingrams (USA).

10. MICHAEL KALASHNIKOV - Designed the AK (Automat Kalashnikovs) 47 (Soviet

Union) adopted by the Russian Army in the year 1951.

11. GEORGE LUGER - Designed the Luger MPO8 (Germany)

12. JOHN WOLFE MARLIN - Founder of the Marlin Firearms Company.

13. PETER PAUL MAUSER - Invented and designed Mauser M1912 (Germany)

14. JAMES WOLFE RIFLEY - Stimulated the development of the model 1855 rifle

15. ELIPHALET REMINGTON - One of the early rifle maker.

16. ELISHA KING ROOT - Designed the Machinery for making Colt firearms.

17. HORACE SMITH - Founded the great firm of Smith and Wesson and pioneered in
making breech loading rifles.

18. EUGENE STONER - Designed the U.S. M16 Armalite under licensed by Colt
Company from July 1959.

19. L.C. SMITH - Developed shotgun bearing his name now the Ithaca Gun Company.

20. JOHN T. THOMPSON - Developed in the course of WW1 the Thompson M1A1 and
model of 1928 A1 (USA). Pioneered the making of Thompson sub-machine gun.

21. DANIEL B. WESSON - Associates of Horace Smith in the making of revolver.

22. DAVID “CARBINE” WILLIAMS - Maker of the first known Carbine.

23. CARL WALTER - Designed Walther MP38

24. OLIVER WINCHESTER - One of the earliest rifle and pistol maker.
 IMPORTANT DATES IN THE EVOLUTION OF FIREARMS

 1242 A.D.
Roger Bacon published the “De Mirabili Potestate Artis et Nature” (On the
Marvelous Power of Arts and Nature), which noted the Black Powder Formula.
 1200
Roman candle. A hollow tube, strengthened with wire or shrunken rawhide, and
loaded with alternate charges of powder and balls of tallow wrapped in cloth. It
is ignited at the muzzle. Chinese reference used of Roman Candle is said to be
at mid of 1200’s.
 1326 A.D.
The oldest authenticated illustration of gun powder used to hurl projectile in
cannons was demonstrated in Walter De Milimete’s manuscript. In the same
period “The Metrical Life of Robert the Bruce” by John Barbour also
indicates the used of cannon by Edward III at Crecy. Although not completely
authenticated.
 1343 A.D.
Cannon locks were used in military as depicted in the Italian Frescoes by Neri.
 CODEX GERMANICUS 600
Translates “Directions for Preparation of Gun Powder”. How to load the gun
and discharge them.
 1450
The evolution of the Match Lock Ignition.
 1450 – 1500
Serpentine Lock was used to modified the Conventional Match Lock, using an
S – shaped instead of C – shaped piece with the bottom portion serve as the
trigger.
 1469
A drawing from an English manuscript showed a “ribauldegium”, a multi
charged cannon lock weapon
 1498
Introduction of rifling and sights became better and breech loaders were
attempted although never succeeded yet even multi shots arms due to lack of
good ignition system.
 1500’s
The development of the Wheel Lock, operated in the same principle as the
modern-day cigarette lighter. At mid of 1500’s, “snaphaunce” was developed.
 1575
Paper Cartridge was developed. Ball and powder charged were wrapped in
chemically treated paper to allow the carrying of numerous pre-measures charges
or preloaded rounds.
 1750
The development of Breech-Loading Firearms leading to the making of
FERGUSON RIFLE of Major Patrick Ferguson COLLIER Rifle, which is a
flint lock repeating rifle operated on a revolving principles and, the HALL Rifle
patented in 1811 by Col. John Hall and was the first breechloader adopted by
the U.S. Army
 1805
The Percussion System. Alexander John Forsyth discovered a compound that
would ignite upon blow they would ignite the powder charge. In 1840, it replaces
the flintlock ignition and was adopted in 1838 by the British and in 1842 by the
American.
 1835
The first real cartridge was developed; THE FLOBERT CAP. Same as the BB
and was considered the forerunner of 22. Short Cartridge.
Samuel Colt patented the first revolver and marketed in 1872 a breech loading
revolver.
 1836
Pin Fire Cartridge was developed by Le Faucheux. A much real pin fire
cartridge was also developed in the same year by Houiller.
 1845
Rim Fire Cartridge, Flobert developed the BB (Bullet Breech) cap, which was
considered the forerunner of the .22 cal. cartridge. In the same year, New Havens
Arms Company owned by Oliver F. Winchester, through the effort of Tyler
Henry developed a .44 cal rim fire cartridge of Henry Rifle.
 1846
Smokeless Powder was discovered. It was used in shotgun first in the year 1864
by Capt. Eschultze of Prussian Army and in Rifle by the year 1884 by M. Vieille
of France.
 1857
The first patent grant on a center fire cartridge was issued in France. Later
developed the Snider Conversation. The Morse Cartridge was also developed.
 1873
Colt Peace Maker, model 1873, 45 cal. The most famous revolver in history and
legend was manufactured.
 1884
Automatic Machine Gun, Hiram Maxim developed the first fully automatic
gun.
 1937
M1 Garand was adopted by the American.
 1960
Bill Ruger produced his Ruger single shot, which was followed by Clerke’s
design and Christian Sharp’s doppring block system, one of the earliest and most
 successful of the breech loading designs. The Christian Sharp’s design is where
the term “sharpshooters” was derived.

WHAT IS MOTION?
 Refers to the mobility or movement of the projectile from the time it leaves the
shell empty. It leaves the gun muzzle and until it reaches its target or fail the
ground.

WHAT IS PROJECTILE?
 Is any metallic or non – metallic ball which is propelled from a firearm
 It motion can be categorized into three general types.

1. Direct Motion
Is the forwarded motion of the bullet or shots out of the shell by the action of the
expansive force of gases from a burning gunpowder.
2. Rotary Motion
Is the action of the bullet passing through a riffled bore barrel firearm which is either
twisted to the left or to the right.
3. Translation
Is the action of bullet once it hits a target and subsequently ricocheted.

ORIGIN OF THE WORD BALLISTICS

 The word Ballistics was derived from two Greek words. The word “ballo” and the word
“ballein”.
 The term also said to have been derived from the Roman war machine called “Ballista”,
a gigantic catapult that was used to furl missiles or large object at distance like stone,
dead animal, or even dead person.
WHAT ARE THE BRANCHES OF BALLISTICS?
 The study of ballistics in the early age is divided into (3) three Divisions: INTERNAL
BALLISTICS, EXTERIOR OR EXTERNAL BALLISTICS AND TERMINAL
BALLISTICS.
 From the time the gun was fired until it reaches the target and have maximum effect.
 At present, ballistics is a branches into (4) four and this is due to its subsequent used in
solving firearms and ammunition which is termed as Forensic Ballistics.
BRANCHES OF BALLISTICS.
1. INTERIOR (INTERNAL) BALLISTICS
It treats of the motion of the projectile while it is still inside the firearm (chamber/barrel)
which extends from the breech to the muzzle. The conditions attributed to internal
ballistics are as follows.

A. FINGER PIN HITTING THE PRIMER

Upon the squeeze of the trigger, the hammer will be released which cause the firing
to be pushed and hit the base portion of the cartridge.
B. IGNITION OF THE PRIMING MIXTURE.
The priming mixture (composing of the KCLO3, surlfur and carbon) located either
at the cavity rim or at the center of the primer upon the striking effect of the firing
pin will ignites and such action is known as “Percussion Action”.
C. COMBUSTION OF THE GUNPOWDER/POWDER CHARGE
PROPELLANT.
After ignition of the priming mixture, the ignition will be imparted to the gunpowder
by passing through, he event, or flash hole thus burning the gun powder and converts
it into an expanded hot gas.
D. EXPANSION OF HEATED GAS
Powder charge once burned will be converted into a heated gas, which has a more
elastic property for its particles are far apart, this will then fill the entire container
(shell).
E. PRESURE DEVELOPED.
Outward push of the gasses to the burned powder pressure is developed die to the
great amount of gas that is expanding within the shell causing the withdrawal of the
bullet from the shell.
F. ENERGY GENERATED
Is the measure of force of force in foot – pound necessary for an action.
G. RECOIL OF THE GUN
Is the equal and opposite reaction of the gun against the forward movement of the
bullet upon explosion. The backward or rearward movement of the gun in relation to
the forward movement of the bullet may be divided into two divisions:
First, which occur while the bullet is still inside the barrel, and which is
relatively in intensity.
Second, which occurs just after the bullet leaved the muzzle of the gun and this
is a much violent backward impulse when the hot gasses rush up-out of the muzzle
and set against the gun. Another reason and which of the greatest influence in the
recoil of the gun is has something to do with the firing mechanism of the gun such as
the gas operated, recoil operated and the blowback type.
Among the (3) three it is the blowback type that has the lesser recoil, and this
can be observed in pistol.
Jump is another portion of recoil action characterized as the backward and
upward movement of the takes place before the bullet leaves the muzzle
H. VELOCITY OF THE BULLET INSIDE THE BARREL.
 It is the relative speed of the bullet per unit of time while it is still inside the barrel
expressed in feet per second.
I. ROTATION OF THE BULLET INSIDE THE BARREL
It refers to the twist of the bullet caused by the cylindrical grooved portion of the
barrel of most firearms.
J. ENGRAVING OF THE CYLINDRICAL SURFACE OF THE BULLET.
Once the bullet passed though the barrel of any firearm whether rifled or not will
leave its mark to the cylindrical surface of the bullet serving as its thumbprints.

2. EXTERIOR (EXTERNAL) BALLISTICS.

Treats of the attributes or movement of the projectile after leaving the gun muzzle.

A. MUZZLE BLAST.
Is the noise created at the muzzle point of the gun due to the sudden escape of the
expanding gas and its contact with the air?
B. MUZZLE ENERGY.
Energy generated at the muzzle point measured in foot-pound.
C. TRAJECTORY
Refers to the parabola-like flight of the projectile from the time it leaves the muzzle
until it hits the target. It is also described as the actual curve path taken by a bullet
during its flight from the gun muzzle to the target. It has (3) three stages; the straight
travel, the curving of the bullet, and its drop to the ground due to its weight.
D. RANGE.
Refers to the imaginary straight distance between the muzzle of the gun and the
target.
D.1. ACCURATE RANGE
The distance within which the shooter or gunner has control of his shots.
D.2. EFFECTIVE RANGE
This distance within which when the bullet was fired it is still capable of inflicting
fatal injury.
D.3. MAXIMUM RANGE.
The distance that a projectile can be propelled from a firearm. The farthest distance
the bullet could travel.
E. VELOCITY.
Refers to the rate of speed of the bullet (during its flight) per unit of time usually
express is feet per second (ft/sec.).
F. PULL OF GRAVITY.
It is the downward reaction of the bullet towards the earth surface due to its weight.
G. AIR RESISTANCE.
Refers to the force of the air encounter by the bullet in its flight.

3. TERMINAL BALLISTICS.
 Is the branch of Ballistics which deal with the effect of the impact of the projectile on
the target.

A. TERMINAL ACCURACY.
It refers to the size of the bullet grouping on the target.
B. TERMINAL ENERGY.
Is the energy or force of the projectile when it strikes the target same as striking
energy.
C. TERMINAL VELOCITY.
Is the speed of the bullet upon striking the target.
D. TERMINAL PENETRATION
Is the depth of entry of the bullet in the target.

4. FORENSIC BALLISTICS.
 This branch of ballistics is the product of the application of the ballistics to law.
 The idea comes with the used of the word forensic
 The word forensic was derived from the Latin “forum” meaning “market place”
where people gathered for public disputation or public discussion.
 When used in connection with the word ballistics or other natural science, it
suggest a relationship to the counts of justice or legal; proceedings.
FORENSIC BALLISTICS.
Is the defined as the study of the motion of the projectile as applied to law or simply the
science of firearm identification by means of ammunition fired through the gun.
SCOPE OF FORENSIC BALLISTICS.
1. FIELD INVESTIGATION
 This is the work of the first officer on the case on the filed.
 It is primary a routine job of an investigating officer.
 Such work includes recognition, collection, markings, prevention, packing and
transmittal of ballistics exhibits.
 In the present practice in cases of highly sensational case or big case are involved
the investigator on case may seek the assistance of the Scene of the Crime
Operation (SOCO).
 But everything that will be undertaken by the SOCO shall properly be
coordinated to the investigator on case.

2. BALLISTICS TECHNICAL EXAMINATION OF THE EXHIBITS.

 This is the job being performed by a firearm identification examiner in the
laboratory.
 It is extended to markings of evidences, test – firing (to obtain test bullets and
test shells for comparison), photomicrography under the bullet comparison
 microscope, preparation of the comparative chart, and final reports on the fingers
and observations of the firearms examiners.
3. LEGAL PROCEEDING.
 It is the most critical part in the field of firearm identification for herein the
examiner will go to court and testify as an expert witness regarding the ballistics
report the had prepared as well as the ballistics exhibits which he has examined
in the laboratory.

WHAT IS FIREARM?
LEGAL DEFINITION OF FIREARM
 Firearms or arms as herein used, includes rifle, muskets, carbines, shotgun,
pistol, revolvers, and all other deadly weapons, to which a bullet, ball shot, shell,
or other missiles maybe discharge b 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)
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
Firearms is an instrument used for the propulsion of projectile by means of the
expansive force gases coming from burning gunpowder (FBI Manual of Firearms Identification)
CLASSES OF FIREARMS
A. Two General Classification of Firearms (According to Interior Barrel Construction)
1. Smooth Bore Firearms
Firearms that have no rifling (land and grooves) inside their gun barrel
Ex. Shotguns and Muskets.
2. Rifled Bore Firearms
Firearms that have rifling inside their gun barrel
Ex. Pistols, Revolvers, and other modern weapons.
 B. Main Types of Firearms (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.
Ex. Cannons, Mortars, and Bazzokas.
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.
Ex. Machine Gun, shoulder arms and handguns.
2.1 Machine Guns.
Machine gun is a type of firearm that primarily designed for military use.
Ever 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

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 part at the anterior portion of the barrel.
When a cartridge is fire, and the bullet reach the gas part some high – pressure gas will
move to the gas cylinder causing piston to move to the near moving or pulling the
breech block to the rear. At this time, the pressure in the chamber has dropped to safe
limits and the position by the action of the spring around the piston.
C. COMBINED RECOIL AND GAS – OPERATED.
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 a stud. Once this is completed,
recoil action caused the breech block to move rearward and completed the opening
cycle. The spring will return the various parts to their closed position and cycle will be
repeated for the next shot.

SUB MACHINE GUN

Is a light, portable form of machine gun, utilizing a pistol ammunition, having a
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.

1. Is having a bolt operated by trigger sear causing the cartridge to be fired in open bolt and
other is fired with a closed bolt.
2. Shoulder Arms
 Shoulder Arms are those types of firearms that were normally fired from the
shoulder.
Rifles – A shoulder weapon design to fire a projectile with more accuracy through a
long-rifled bore barrel, usually more that 22 inches. Just like any other type of gun, rifles
appear in various forms.

1. 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.
2. Repeating Rifle
A type of rifle loaded with several cartridges at one time and carries and cartridge
into the chamber 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 Action Type, Slide
Action Type and Automatic Action 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 types 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 full action type as its name implies, the bolt is directly pulled on the
rear without being turned.
 The chamber will open; loading will follow and then closed again before firing.
The Swiss army 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 by the lever by hand, causing opening, cocking and
placing of the cartridge in its position for loading.
 After which the lever is pull back to closed position moving the cartridge to the
chamber and putting the breech block in place, ready for firing.
Ex. Winchester Model 91

3. SLIDE ACTION TYPE

 In this type, a box type magazine is being attached and removed every time that
loading and unloading is desired.
  The operation is imply 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 breechblock.
Ex. Remington Model 700

4. AUTOMATIC TYPE
 It is a type of 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.
CARBINE
 A short barrel rifle, with its barrel, 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.
MUSKETS
 Is an ancient smooth bore and muzzle loading military shoulder arms designed to fire a
shots or a single round lead ball.

SHOTGUN
 A smooth bore and breech loading shoulder arms designed to fire a number of lead
pellets or a shots in one charge. (FBA Manual).
 A shotgun operates almost exactly in the same way as another rifle.
 It only differs in some extent such as the interior barrel construction.
 Generally, all shotgun are equipped with a smooth bore barrel designed to fire a number
of lead pellets in a single charge.

1. SINGLE BARRELED SHOTGUN

  Similar to a single short rifle, it is loaded with a
single shotgun cartridge, closed and fired to be reloaded
manually by the shooter. This is common in a break type,
breech – loading shotgun.

2. DOUBLE BARRELED SHOTGUN

 Appears in different variation defending on the
barrel position.
 There are double barreled shotgun position 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 same time.

3. PUMP ACTION SHOTGUN

 Also known by the name “slide action” type. In this type of a shotgun the
hammer is completely built inside the receiver, which makes it unexposed thus,
making at known also as “hammerless shotgun”. Operation is done by back and
fort manipulation of the slide by the shooter.

4. AUTO – LOADING SHOTGUN

 This type of shotgun has a mechanism similar to auto – loading or elf 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
 There are so called cylinder bore type in which the bore is the same through out
the barrel and the other designed with a diminishing or reducing bore diameter
type towards the muzzle.
 This type is designed to cause and effect to the
travel of the shots.
 It makes the shots travel longer before it spreads.
 This type of shotgun is otherwise known as
“choke bore” gun.
 Still in a very rare occasions another type of
shotgun can be observed to be having rifling
only a few inch from its muzzle points.
Such type is known as the “paradox gun”.

2.3 HANDGUNS
 Those type of firearms that are designed or intended to be fired using one had.
Ex. Pistol and Revolvers.
PISTOL
In early firearm history, all handguns are generally called as pistols. There were three
classes of pistols in the period. The single shot pistol, the semi – automatic, and the revolving
pistols now known as the revolver.
 The Single Shot Pistol
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 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 the first load 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 load to the chamber without the gunner
exerting additional effort. Thus, firing can be made successively for every press
of the trigger without again reloading.

REVOLVER
 Revolver is a type of firearm designed to position cartridge into position for
firing 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 the single action.
 A type of revolver that needs a manual cocking of the hammer before squeezing
the trigger and the other is double action, a type of revolver that does not need
manual cocking.
 Just press the trigger and it both cocked and released the hammer causing a much
faster firing.
 Another classification of revolver is according to its construction for loading and
unloading.
 They are Ejection Rod Types. Considered as the oldest classification. It is loaded
by an opened hinged gate at the left side of the gun exposing the chamber and
cartridge are loaded one a time while rotating the cylinder.
 After firing, a rod at the bottom or under the barrel is push 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 is the Break Open Type. Having a barrel and cyinder hinged
with a latch holding the barrel in place when in a firing position. Loading is done
by swing down of the barrel is returned to its position for firing. The same thing
is observed in unloading the gun.
  The third type is Solid Frame Revolver. Cylinder swings out with an ejector just
as the break open in removing the cartridge case, although the operation is by
pushing the extension rod to the rear to unlock and swing out the cylinder.

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS

ADVANTAGES OF REVOLVER
1. It is an old standard weapon that its operation is common and almost everyone knows
how to handle it.
2. Safer for inexperienced users to handle and carry that an automatic pistol.
3. Its mechanism allows the trigger pull to be better than an average automatic pistol
4. A misfire does not put a revolver out of action
5. It will handle satisfactorily old and new or partially deteriorated ammunition, which
gives a reduced velocity that would jam an averaged pistol

DISADVANTAGES OF REVOLVER
1. It is more bulky to carry that an automatic pistol.
2. Its grip or handle is generally not as good as that pistol.
3. It is slower to load.
4. It is harder to replace worn out or broken part it is factory job.
5. It is hard to clean.
6. Worn out or poor made weapon is subject to variable accuracy due to improper lining of
cylinder.
ADVANTAGES OF PISTOL
1. It has a better grip – the points naturally.
2. It is more compact for the same firing power.
3. It is easier to load than a revolver.
4. In case of worn out or corroded barrel, a new can be put in at a little expense without
sending the gun to the factory.
5. It gives greater number of shots that a revolver.
6. It is easier to clean than a revolver.
7. It gives greater firing power and greater case of firing.
8. There is no gas leakage in its operation.
DISADVANTAGES OF PISTOL
1. Ammunition must be perfect otherwise; a jam might experience.
2. A misfire stops the functioning of the gun.
3. When kept loaded for long time, the magazine spring is under tension and may
deteriorate and cause problems.
4. It cannot use blank or reduce loads.
5. It is as poorer trigger pull.
6. The magazine requires a jacketed bullet, which is not as good for practical use.
7. More dangerous to handle and fire.
8. It is not adopted 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 evidence.
11. It cannot be fired from the pocket with jamming.

NOMECLATURE OF FIREARMS AND ITS FUNCTIONS

1. BARRE – Initiates the part of the bullet
2. BOLT – Disengages center pin from 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 the 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 to the cylinder simultaneously.
10. FRAME – Houses the internal parts.
11. HAND (PAWL) – Rotates the cylinder when the hammer is locked.
12. HAMMER – Strikes the blow that initiated or ignites primer.
13. HAMMER BLOCK – Safety device that prevents hammer blows from the primer.
14. MAIN SPRING – Provides energy to the hammer to activate firing mechanism.
15. RATCHET – Helps the withdrawal of the cartridge or shells to the chambers of the
cylinder.
16. REBOUND SLIDE – Returns trigger, activates hammer block, and locked hammer.
17. SIDE PLATE – Provides access from the internal parts.
18. SIDE PLATE SCREWS – Holds the side plate and yoke in place.
19. STRAIN SCREWS – Controls tension on the mainspring
20. THUMB LATCH – Actuates the bolt from release the cylinder.
21. TRIGGER – Activates the part necessary to fire the weapon.
22. TIGGER GUARD – Guard the trigger to unnecessary action to avoid accidental firing.
23. TRIGGER SPRING – Provides energy from return movement or rebound slide.
24. TRIGGER LEVEL – Contact 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 GUN
1. CANE GUN, KNIFE PISTOLS, CELLPHONE GUN, ETC.
Devices principally designed for other purpose to which a gun mechanism or
incorporated also called as Freakish Gun.
2. FLARE GUN
Designed for tracing or sending signals or locating enemy troops.
3. GAS GUN
Generally referring to all gun designed from firing gas.
4. HARPOON GUN
Refers to a barbed spear in hunting large fish.
5. LIBERATOR
U.S. Government made smooth bore gun sued in Europe during war designed to
fire an automatic colt pistol cartridge caliber 45.
6. MULTI – BARRELED GUN
Refers to all types of gun containing a number of barrels.
7. PARADOX GUN
A type of gun which contains lands and grooves a few inch from the muzzle
point.
8. TOOLS
Are those device which resembles a gun designed but are generally used for
construction of furniture.
9. TRAPS
Refers to gun used for trapping animals that are fired to woods.