Unlock hundreds more features
Save your Quiz to the Dashboard
View and Export Results
Use AI to Create Quizzes and Analyse Results

OR
Sign inSign in with Facebook
Sign inSign in with Google
Quizzes > Lifestyle & Hobbies > Hobbies & Leisure

Ready for the Ultimate Gun Trivia Quiz?

Dive into our gunsmoke quiz and tackle gun questions!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for gun trivia quiz on a dark blue background

Think you know firearms inside out? Test your skills with our free gun trivia quiz and discover if your knowledge holds up under fire! Whether you're a seasoned collector revisiting vintage revolvers or a newcomer mastering your first safe gun handling drill, this interactive challenge has something for everyone. You'll tackle a variety of gun trivia questions, from essential firearm safety rules and technical caliber facts to surprising historical anecdotes. Love a twist of gunsmoke quiz excitement? Our tricky questions about guns will sharpen your expertise and boost your confidence. Ready for the ultimate challenge? Dive into our gun trivia experience and conquer the ultimate gun quiz today!

What does "caliber" refer to in firearms terminology?
The weight of the bullet
The internal diameter of the barrel
The length of the barrel
The capacity of the magazine
Caliber is the measure of the bore diameter of the barrel in firearms, typically expressed in inches or millimeters. It indicates the approximate diameter of the projectile that can be fired. This term does not refer to bullet weight or barrel length.
In a bolt-action rifle, which part typically houses the firing pin?
The stock
The magazine
The bolt
The barrel
In bolt-action rifles, the bolt assembly contains the firing pin, which strikes the cartridge primer when the trigger is pulled. The stock is the external support, and the barrel directs the bullet. The magazine stores cartridges but does not house internal firing components.
Which of these cartridges is a rimfire round?
9mm Luger
.22 Long Rifle
.308 Winchester
.223 Remington
The .22 Long Rifle is the most common rimfire cartridge, with the priming compound contained in the rim of the case. Centerfire cartridges like .308 Winchester and 9mm Luger have a separate primer in the center. Rimfire cartridges are generally lower pressure and used in small-caliber firearms.
What safety feature directly prevents the trigger from moving?
Trigger guard
Hammer
Manual safety
Magazine disconnect
A manual safety physically blocks or disconnects the trigger mechanism to prevent it from moving. The hammer releases energy to strike the firing pin, while the trigger guard is simply a protective loop to guard against accidental trigger contact. A magazine disconnect prevents firing without a magazine but does not stop the trigger itself.
What operating system uses gas pressure from the barrel to cycle the action?
Manual
Blowback
Gas-operated
Recoil-operated
Gas-operated firearms tap a portion of the propellant gases through a port in the barrel to drive a piston or impinge directly on components, cycling the action. Blowback designs rely on the cartridge's rearward force and a heavy bolt or slide. Recoil operation uses the firearm's recoil energy instead of gas taps.
What does "AR" stand for in the AR-15 rifle?
Assault Rifle
Armalite Rifle
Advanced Rifle
Automatic Rifle
AR in AR-15 stands for ArmaLite Rifle, named after the ArmaLite corporation which developed the design. It does not stand for "assault rifle" despite common misconceptions. The designation AR-15 has since become a generic term for rifles based on the original design.
Which pistol is known for being a single-action design introduced in 1911?
Colt 1911
Beretta 92FS
Glock 17
SIG P320
The Colt 1911 is a single-action, semi-automatic pistol designed by John Browning and adopted by the U.S. military in 1911. Single-action means the trigger only releases the hammer, which must be cocked manually or by the slide. Modern polymer pistols like the Glock 17 introduced in the 1980s use different action types.
Which shotgun gauge has the largest bore diameter?
20 gauge
10 gauge
16 gauge
12 gauge
Shotgun gauges are numbered inversely by bore diameter; the smaller the gauge number, the larger the bore. A 10 gauge shotgun has a larger bore than 12, 16, or 20 gauge. For reference, the 10 gauge bore is approximately 0.775 inches in diameter.
What does muzzle velocity measure?
The speed of the bullet at the target
The rate of fire in rounds per minute
The speed of the bullet as it leaves the barrel
The velocity of propellant gases
Muzzle velocity is the speed at which a projectile exits the barrel of a firearm. It affects trajectory, energy, and terminal ballistics. The speed can decrease over distance due to air resistance, so impact velocity is lower than muzzle velocity.
In rifling, what does a "1:10" twist rate indicate?
Ten turns in one inch of barrel
Ten twists per meter of barrel
One turn every 10 millimeters
One full turn in 10 inches of barrel
A 1:10 twist rate means the rifling makes one complete revolution every 10 inches of barrel. Twist rate affects bullet stabilization; faster twists stabilize heavier or longer bullets. A 1:10 rate is common for standard rifle bullets.
What is the standard magazine capacity for a factory Glock 17?
19 rounds
17 rounds
13 rounds
15 rounds
The Glock 17, originally designed for military use, comes standard with a 17-round magazine capacity of 9x19mm Parabellum. Variants and aftermarket magazines may differ, but the factory specification is 17 rounds.
The M16 rifle is chambered in which NATO standard cartridge?
7.62×39mm
5.45×39mm
5.56×45mm NATO
7.62×51mm NATO
The M16 rifle family is chambered for the 5.56×45mm NATO cartridge, standardized among NATO forces for its balance of recoil and terminal performance. The 7.62×51mm NATO is used in battle rifles and machine guns.
What does "MOA" stand for in shooting terminology?
Moment of Apex
Multiple Optical Adjustment
Minute of Angle
Measure of Accuracy
MOA stands for Minute of Angle, a unit of angular measurement equal to 1/60th of a degree. In shooting, 1 MOA roughly corresponds to 1 inch at 100 yards, used to describe accuracy and adjust optics.
What does the ballistic coefficient of a bullet measure?
The volume of propellant
Its weight in grains
How well it overcomes air resistance
The twist rate needed
The ballistic coefficient (BC) quantifies a projectile's ability to overcome air resistance; higher BC means flatter trajectory and better retention of velocity. It factors in mass, diameter, and drag coefficient. BC is crucial for long-range shooting calculations.
Which handgun first introduced a polymer frame in mass-market production?
SIG P220
Beretta 92FS
Colt 1911
Glock 17
The Glock 17, introduced in 1982 by Gaston Glock, was the first widely adopted mass-market pistol with a high-strength polymer frame. It revolutionized handgun design, leading to the widespread use of polymers. Traditional metal frames predated it by decades.
The AR-15 platform primarily uses which type of bolt locking mechanism?
Blowback
Roller lock
Tilting bolt
Rotating bolt
The AR-15's bolt locks into the barrel extension by rotating the bolt lugs into recesses, known as a rotating bolt design. This ensures a secure lock-up for high-pressure rounds. Blowback and tilting bolt systems are used in different firearms.
Which of the following items is regulated as an NFA Title II firearm?
Revolver
12-inch barrel rifle
Standard semi-auto pistol
Suppressor
Under the U.S. National Firearms Act (NFA), Title II items include suppressors (silencers), short-barreled rifles, and fully automatic weapons. A standard semi-auto pistol and revolver are not NFA-regulated. Suppressors require ATF registration and tax stamp.
What is the primary role of fluting on a rifle barrel?
Improve accuracy by changing harmonics
Increase magazine capacity
Enhance gas sealing
Reduce weight and increase surface area
Fluting removes material from the barrel's exterior, reducing weight while maintaining rigidity. It also increases surface area for improved cooling. Fluting does not directly affect gas sealing or magazine capacity.
Which type of shotgun choke produces the widest shot spread?
Modified
Full
Improved Cylinder
Cylinder
A cylinder choke has no constriction and yields the widest pattern spread, useful for close-range targets. Improved Cylinder offers slight constriction, Modified more, and Full the tightest pattern for long range.
What is the purpose of a muzzle brake on a rifle?
Redirect gases to reduce recoil
Increase bullet velocity
Seal the barrel against gas leakage
Protect the muzzle crown
Muzzle brakes redirect escaping propellant gases to counteract recoil and muzzle rise, improving shooter comfort and follow-up shot speed. They do not significantly increase velocity or seal the barrel. A crown protector is called a thread protector.
Which metal is commonly used for making high-end match-grade barrels?
Titanium
Aluminum
Brass
Stainless steel
Stainless steel is favored for match-grade barrels due to its corrosion resistance, consistent machining properties, and tight tolerances. Brass and aluminum are unsuitable for barrels, and titanium, while strong, is difficult to machine economically.
What is "freebore" in a rifle barrel?
The length of the muzzle brake
The diameter of the chamber
The smooth section before rifling starts
The gap between bolt and chamber
Freebore is the chamber area immediately in front of the cartridge in which the bullet travels unrifled before engaging the rifling. It affects pressure development and accuracy. The name does not refer to overall chamber diameter or external parts.
Which organization sets the SAAMI standards for cartridge dimensions and pressures?
Commission Internationale Permanente
North Atlantic Treaty Organization
Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute
International Organization for Standardization
SAAMI, or the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute, develops and publishes voluntary standards for firearm and ammunition dimensions, performance, and pressure. CIP performs similar roles in Europe, but SAAMI covers U.S. industry standards.
In firearms headspace terminology, what does headspace refer to?
The overall length of the round
The length of the barrel before rifling
The amount of free travel in the trigger
The distance from the bolt face to a fixed point in the chamber
Headspace is the precise distance measured from the bolt face's forward surface to a datum point in the chamber that ensures safe cartridge seating. Proper headspace prevents case rupture or misfires. It is not related to trigger pull or freebore length.
What is the effect known as "spin drift" in external ballistics?
The vertical drop due to gravity
The bullet's tendency to tumble at transonic speeds
The horizontal deviation of a spinning bullet in flight
The bullet's yawing motion immediately after exit
Spin drift, or gyroscopic drift, is the phenomenon where a spinning bullet gradually deviates horizontally (usually to the right for right-hand twist barrels) due to gyroscopic forces. It occurs over long distances and must be considered for precision shooting.
0
{"name":"What does \"caliber\" refer to in firearms terminology?", "url":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/QPREVIEW","txt":"What does \"caliber\" refer to in firearms terminology?, In a bolt-action rifle, which part typically houses the firing pin?, Which of these cartridges is a rimfire round?","img":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/3012/images/ogquiz.png"}

Study Outcomes

  1. Recall Firearms Milestones -

    Identify and remember major historical events and developments in the evolution of guns, preparing you for any gun trivia challenge.

  2. Differentiate Firearm Types -

    Distinguish between handguns, rifles, shotguns, and artillery by their design and function, sharpening your knowledge of gun questions.

  3. Identify Iconic Weapon Features -

    Recognize key characteristics of legendary firearms and their makers, helping you answer questions about guns with confidence.

  4. Analyze Challenging Gun Questions -

    Apply critical thinking to dissect tough firearm trivia questions and understand the reasoning behind correct answers.

  5. Improve Gun Trivia Expertise -

    Build your overall proficiency in gun trivia through exposure to diverse questions about guns, boosting your score and expertise.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Fundamentals of Firearm Anatomy -

    Understanding barrel, action, receiver, and stock is essential for any gun trivia enthusiast (source: NRA Education). Use the mnemonic "BARS" (Barrel, Action, Receiver, Stock) to recall the four core components quickly. This foundation helps you answer detailed gun questions with confidence.

  2. Ballistic Trajectory Basics -

    Bullet drop follows the equation y = x·tanθ - (g·x²)/(2·v²·cos²θ), where θ is the firing angle, v is muzzle velocity, and g is gravity (NIJ Ballistics Research). For instance, a 300-meter zero at 25° yields a predictable point of impact on standard targets. Mastering this formula enhances your performance on any gun trivia questions about external ballistics.

  3. Iconic Handguns Through History -

    Key models like the Colt Single Action Army (1873), German Luger P08 (1908), and Walther P38 (1938) mark milestones in firearm evolution (Journal of Military History). Remember "Cowboy, Kaiser, Agent" to link these handguns to the Old West, WWI Germany, and WWII spies. This timeline trick will solidify your answers on any gunsmoke quiz or gun trivia challenge.

  4. Cartridge Nomenclature Mnemonics -

    Caliber naming often follows diameter and year or design specs, e.g., .30-06 Springfield (0.30" diameter, adopted 1906) and 9×19 mm Parabellum. Use the phrase "Dia-Year Drill" to decode any cartridge combo instantly (SAAMI Standards). This mnemonic is a time-saver when faced with rapid gun trivia questions about ammo types.

  5. Essential Safety & Maintenance Practices -

    Follow the "CLEAR" acronym: Check chamber, Lock action, Examine parts, Align sights, Ready to fire (ATF safety guidelines). Regular cleaning and inspection prevent malfunctions and deepen your understanding of weapon mechanics. Demonstrating this knowledge will impress on any test of questions about guns.

Make a Quiz (FREE) Copy & Edit This Quiz Create a Quiz with AI

Hobbies & Leisure Quizzes

Powered by: Quiz Maker