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magazine
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A container for cartridges or shotshells with a spring and follower to feed cartridges into the chamber of the firearm. It may be detachable or an integral part of the firearm. |
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magazine floorplate
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The bottom of a fixed magazine. |
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magazine follower
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A spring-actuated device to push cartridges in a magazine to the feeding position. |
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magazine plug
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A part inserted into a magazine to reduce its capacity. It is also the part in the end of a tubular magazine that closes the end and retains the spring. |
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magazine release
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A device that retains or releases a detachable magazine in a firearm. |
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magazine safety
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A safety device found on some semi-automatic handguns that prevents firing unless the magazine is inserted into the firearm. |
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magazine throat
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A metallic insert found in some plastic magazines that aligns the next cartridge to be fed into the chamber. |
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magazine well
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The opening in a firearm that receives the detachable magazine. |
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magnum cartridge
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Centerfire, rimfire and shotshell ammunition that is larger, more powerful or produces higher velocities than standard calibers. |
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mainspring
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A strong spring, aka an energy storage device, that operates the striker or hammer of a firearm. |
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mainspring guide
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Usually a rod-like device that keeps the mainspring from kinking. |
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mainspring housing
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A channel in which the mainspring rides. |
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Martini action
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A hammerless single shot rifle action operated by a lever where the breechblock's movement is contained within the receiver and pivots at the rear. |
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match
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A long cord of hemp, flax or cotton saturated with saltpeter that burns slowly without a flame. Used to ignite the early matchlock firearms. |
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matchlock
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A firearm action of the type used by the first European explorers and Conquistadors that relies on an S-shaped (serpentine) piece of metal to hold the smoldering match. Once activated the burning end of the match, held by the upper end of the serpentine, drops to the priming powder in the pan and ignites the powder charge in the barrel though the touch hole. |
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metallic sights
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A non-telescopic firearm sight. Also called iron sights. |
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mini ball
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A conical shaped lead bullet with a hollow base that spreads once fired to form a tight fit between the lead of the bullet skirt and the rifle's grooves. The most popular military bullet configuration throughout the Civil War. |
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modified choke
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Provides a shot pattern midway between full choke and improved cylinder choke. See also choke. |
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musket
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A smoothbore military shoulder gun with a long barrel and forend stock extending nearly to the muzzle. Muskets were in common use during the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. |
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musketoon
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A musket shortened for cavalry use. |
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muzzle
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The "business end" of the firearm's barrel from which the bullet or shot emerges. |
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muzzle blast
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The loud noise that occurs at the muzzle of a firearm when the projectile leaves the muzzle and hot gases are released into the air. |
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muzzle brake
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A device at or in the muzzle end of the barrel (often slotted) that vents off the emerging gases behind the projectile to reduce recoil. |
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muzzle crown
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A treatment of the mouth of the muzzle that creates an even, circular opening by shaving away metal that may be worn into a more oval pattern. Accuracy is often improved by crowning the muzzle. |
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muzzle energy
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A bullet's energy, measured in foot pounds, as it emerges from the muzzle. |
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muzzle flash
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The bright flash or illumination at the muzzle of the firearm that results from propellant particles emerging from the barrel behind the projectile and igniting when mixed with oxygen in the air. |
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muzzle loader
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Any firearm that is loaded with gunpowder and projectile(s) through the muzzle end of the barrel. |
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muzzle velocity
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The velocity of a projectile as it exits the muzzle of a firearm. |
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