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ramrod
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A wood or metal rod used to force the wad and bullet down the barrel of a muzzle-loading firearm. |
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rate of twist
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The distance required for the rifling to complete one revolution. For example 1 turn in 12 inches. |
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receiver
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The basic unit of a firearm that houses the firing and breech mechanisms and to which the barrel and stock are attached. Also called frame. |
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receiver ring
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The part of the receiver that is threaded in order for the barrel to be attached to it. |
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recoil
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The rearward or opposite force or movement of a firearm caused by and equal to the force the firing or moving the projectile forward. Commonly called kick and measured in foot pounds. |
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recoil shield
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On a revolver, the recoil shield is the metal extensions on the firearm's frame that cover the exposed back of the cylinder on either side of the gun. It is designed to prevent fired or unfired cartridges from sliding out of the cylinder and to protect the exposed primers of cartridges in the chambers on either side. |
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recoil spring
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The spring that returns a semi-automatic or automatic firearm to battery. |
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reload
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A cartridge that has been reassembled with a new primer, powder, and projectile. |
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revolver
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A firearm with a cylinder containing several chambers. The cylinder rotates around an axis allowing each cartridge to be fired by the same firing mechanism. |
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revolver action
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Usually found on a handgun, were a steel cylinder containing several chambers rotates around an axis to allow the cartridges within to be discharged by a single firing mechanism. |
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rib
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A raised surface, either solid or ventilated, running along the top of a barrel and used as a sighting plane. |
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ricochet
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The deflection of a projectile after impact. |
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rifling
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Helical or spiral grooves cut into the inside of the barrel surface to cause the bullet to spin in a rotary or spiraling motion causing the projectile to travel with greater stability. The cut-away portions of the rifling are called grooves while the uncut portions are called lands. |
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rimfire cartridge
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A flange-headed cartridge containing the priming mixture inside the rim cavity. |
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rimless cartridge case
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A centerfire cartridge case with the case head of the same diameter as the body. |
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rimmed cartridge case
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A cartridge case with a base or head larger in diameter than the body of the case. |
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rolling block action
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A single-shot action where the breechblock and hammer are swung rearward, away from the barrel breech to load or unload the firearm. When closed, the breechblock locks the cartridge in place ready to be fired. |
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rotary magazine
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The cartridges are arranged about a central rotating spindle or carrier. |
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