New York Firearms Safety Course Practice Exam

Which part of a firearm loads, fires, and ejects the cartridges?

1. Barrel

2. Trigger System

3. Action

4. Safety

The correct answer is: Action

The action of a firearm is the key component responsible for loading, firing, and ejecting cartridges. It encompasses the mechanism that drives the cycle of operations within the firearm. This includes various parts that facilitate the movement of the cartridge from the magazine into the chamber, the firing process itself, and the expulsion of the spent cartridge casing after firing. Understanding the action is crucial as it directly impacts the functionality and reliability of the firearm. The barrel, while essential for directing the projectile once fired, does not participate in the loading or ejecting process. The trigger system activates the action but does not encompass the entire cycle of loading, firing, and ejecting. The safety mechanism is a critical feature for preventing accidental discharge but is separate from the operation of loading and firing the firearm. Therefore, the action is correctly identified as the part that performs all these tasks.