Rifle parts

Over the last century, modern firearms have changed very little. They are still made up of the same three basic elements: action, stock and barrel.

1. Action

The action is the heart of the firearm — the moving parts that load, fire and eject the shotshells or cartridges. There are several types of actions used in modern firearms:

• bolt action
• lever action
• pump action
• break action
• self-loading action (restricted).

2. Stock

The stock serves as the handle of the firearm. It can be composed of one or two pieces and is made of wood or a synthetic material. It is the part of the gun which is held, or braced, against your body.

3. Barrel

The barrel is the metal tube that the projectile travels through.