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Firing sequence of the cartridge:
Pulling the
trigger of the pistol will cause the firing pin to hit and
ignite the primer - the flame generated by the primer ignites
the powder in the cartridge - the powder burns very rapidly
and produces high volume of gas - it is the gas that expels
the bullet out of the cartridge and to it's target at a high
rate of speed.
Pistol cartridges date back to around 1845 with the 1st
22 bb cap shooting gallery rifle. The modern pistol cartridges
is made up of four basic components: the case, the powder
charge, primer and bullet or projectile.
Case:
The case is a metal cylinder usually
made of brass that is closed at one end and contains the
other three components
Primer:
The primer is an impact sensitive
chemical compound used for ignition. In a rimfire cartridge
the primer is contained in the inside rim of the cases base.
In a center-fire cartridge the primer is contained in a small
metal cup, and is located in the center of the case's base.
Powder Charge:
Is a fast burning chemical compound used
as a propellant and it is contained inside the body of the
case.
Bullet:
Is a projectile, usually made of lead
and sometimes covered with a layer of
copper or other metal, and is located in the mouth of the
case.
The cartridge is commonly referred
to as the "round". A live round is a cartridge with all its
components intact and is unfired.
There are to primary types of
modern cartridges, the rimfire and the center-fire. As
explained earlier is has to do with the location of the
primer, the rimfire's primer is in the rim of the case and the
center-fire's primer is in the center of the cartridge case.
You must use the correct ammunition for your handgun.
Only a cartridge designed for your handgun can be fired
safely. Even though a round may fit into your handgun, it does
not mean it is safe to shoot in your handgun. You need to
determine which is the correct cartridge for your handgun. The
easy way is to consult with a professional to determine which
is correct. You can also determine this information by looking
at your handgun, most times the cartridge designation can be
determined by looking on the side of the barrel. For example a
380acp will fit into a 9mm, however it is unsafe to fire the
380acp in your 9mm handgun. Also some cartridges are rated +P
or +P+, these are loaded to much higher pressures and if your
handgun is not rated for these it could damage your handgun
and/or cause you injury. Again the best way to determine the
correct round for your handgun is to ask a professional. All
the employees of the Centerfire Firearms Training academy and
the Family Indoor Shooting Range are fully trained to help
with the proper cartridge selection.
List of most popular cartridges |
