Basics of Pistol Shooting Course Student Written Examination
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DIRECTIONS: Please select the best answer for each of the following multiple choice and true-false questions. This is an open book examination based on The NRA Guide: Basics of Pistol Shooting. A passing score of 90% or better must be achieved. There are a total of 50 questions.Access the NRA Guide: Basics of Pistol Shooting by clicking the link below. If using smart phone, best viewed in landscape.
Click to Open NRA Guide: Basics of Pistol Shooting Here
Multiple Choice Questions (20 Questions):
1. The three major components of a pistol are:
- Select One -
a. barrel, action, and grip.
b. frame, barrel and action.
c. barrel, frame, and hammer.
d. cylinder, frame and breech.
2. Your finger may contact the trigger:
- Select One -
a. when drawing from a holster.
b. when you are ready to shoot.
c. when gripping the pistol.
d. when it is unloaded.
3. The trigger mechanism:
- Select One -
a. releases a spring-powered hammer or striker to fire the cartridge.
b. the part of a firearm in which a cartridge is contained at the instant of firing.
c. the end of the barrel where the chamber is located.
d. another term for the slide on a semi-automatic pistol.
4. Aiming consists of:
- Select One -
a. grip and position.
b. sight alignment and sight picture.
c. breath control and aiming.
d. trigger control and follow-through.
5. When aiming a pistol, the eye can only focus on one object at a time; therefore, you should focus on the ___________ so that it appears clear and sharp.
- Select One -
a. rear sight
b. target
c. front sight
d. bullseye
6. To ensure you use the correct ammunition for your gun:
- Select One -
a. check the information stamped on the barrel and/or slide.
b. check your owner's manual.
c. check the cartridge box and cartridge headstamp.
d. all of the above.
7. When a cartridge fails to fire immediately, you should:
- Select One -
a. put the safety on and put the pistol down.
b. keep the pistol pointed in a safe direction and, after waiting at least 30 seconds (as a precaution in case of a hangfire), open the action and remove the cartridge.
c. open the action immediately and inspect the cartridge to determine the malfunction.
d. none of the above.
8. When gripping the pistol, you should:
- Select One -
a. use the same grip each time that you hold the pistol.
b. change your grip when going from short-range to long-range targets.
c. slowly increase your grip pressure when you begin pulling the trigger.
d. hold the pistol as loosely as possible to prevent muscle tremors.
9. Follow-through is important because:
- Select One -
a. it integrates, maintains and continues all shooting fundamentals before, during and immediately after firing the shot.
b. it helps maintain your grip.
c. it keeps the gun from recoiling excessively.
d. none of the above.
10. The frame of a pistol is:
- Select One -
a. made of wood or metal.
b. is pulled to release the hammer.
c. is the central component of most pistols.
d. none of the above.
11. The four components of a pistol cartridge are:
- Select One -
a. primer, wad, case and bullet.
b. hull, shot, slug and primer.
c. bullet, hull, powder and wad.
d. case, primer, powder charge and bullet.
12. Some of the benefits of the Isosceles Position are:
- Select One -
a. gives considerable support to the firearm.
b. it is natural and easy to assume.
c. enhances recoil absorption.
d. gives excellent mobility.
13. Double-action refers to the type of action:
- Select One -
a. in which pulling the trigger performs two tasks: cocking and releasing the hammer.
b. found only on revolvers.
c. found only on semi-automatic pistols.
d. none of the above.
14. Before cleaning a pistol, be sure that:
- Select One -
a. the pistol is unloaded.
b. the pistol is disassembled according to instructions in the owner's manual.
c. no ammunition is present in the area.
d. all of the above.
15. A _____________ occurs when a cartridge fails to fire after the primer has been struck by the firing pin.
- Select One -
a. hangfire
b. dry-fire
c. squib load
d. misfire
16. The safety on a pistol is:
- Select One -
a. a mechanical device that can fail.
b. never fails.
c. is found only on revolvers.
d. none of the above.
17. When shooting, you should hold your breath because:
19. The basic rule for sight adjustment is:
20. Trigger control when shooting refers to:
- Select One -
a. it minimizes body movement.
b. it enhances concentraion.
c. it eliminates muscle tremors.
d. none of the above.
18. Dry-firing:
- Select One -
a. occurs when a cartridge fails to fire after the firing pin strikes the primer.
b. is a long delay in the ignition of a cartridge after the firing pin strikes the primer.
c. involves practicing every phase of the firing process using an unloaded firearm.
d. is the firing of live ammunition at tin cams and other similar targets.
- Select One -
a. move the rear sight in the opposite direction that you want the hits on the target to move.
b. move the front sight in the same direction that you want the hits on the target to move.
c. move the rear sight in the same direction that you want the hits on the target to move.
d. none of the above.
- Select One -
a. pulling the trigger when the arc of movement has been eliminated.
b. the technique of pulling the trigger without causing any movement of the aligned sights.
c. both a and b.
d. none of the above.
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