Semi-Automatic Gun

By the end of the 20th century, most handguns carried regularly by military, police and civilians were Semi-Automatic, although revolvers were still widely used.

Double-Action Revolver

 This is opposed to "Double-Action" revolvers which accomplish the same end using a mechanical action linked to the trigger pull.

Hand ShotGun

ShotGuns are sometimes preferred for defending a home or business due to their wide impact area, multiple wound tracks (when using buckshot), shorter range, and reduced penetration of walls (when using lighter shot), which significantly reduces the likelihood of unintended harm, although the handgun is also common.

Musket Gun

From the Renaissance up to the mid-1800s, were generally smooth bore firearms that fired one or more ball shot, called Musket.

British Army Gun

The Gun fired 10,000 rounds in 27 minutes. This impressed military leaders from Britain and the following year the British Army purchased the gun. It also adopted the ten-barrel Nordenfelt Machine Gun.

The Machine-Gun

The idea of a Machine-Gun that would keep up a continuous stream of fire attracted inventors early in the development of firearms.

Automatic Shotgun

John Moses was also invented an Automatic Shotgun that would use the expanding gases of a fired shell to relock the gun and make it ready for the next shot.

John Shop

John and his brothers began producing this rifle in their Ogden shop.

Russian Military

The rest of the Western world promptly loaded up their infantry with high-power, new-generation centerfire calibers like the 8mm Mauser, .30-06 Springfield, and the Russian fifty-four-millimeter rimmed cartridge.

Mauser Bolt Actions

Only the Swedes bucked the trend, choosing a 6.5mm cartridge with a mild powder charge for their Mauser Bolt Actions.

Grease Guns

A lower-power rifle might split the difference between the useless bolt-action hunting guns and the short-range, open-bolt “Grease Guns”.

Pair of a Unique Rifle

The United States fielded a pair of unique rifles: the auto-loading M1 Grand, which continued to use the Springfield round, and the forward-thinking M1 Carbine, which was much lighter and easier to carry and could be fired aimlessly without less effect but with considerably more wartime economy.

U.S.A Gun and firearm laws

Gun and firearm laws including waiting periods, child protection laws and background checks for gun ownership, in the United States listed by state.

Recorded use of a Firearm

First Recorded use of a Firearm shooter lit wicks by hand that ignited gunpowder that was loaded into the gun barrel.

Flintlock Pistols

Flintlock Pistols did two things mechanically, it opened the lid of the flash pan and provided an igniting spark.

Wheel lock Guns

Wheel lock Guns  wicks were replaced the wheel lock that generated a spark for igniting the gunpowder.

Matchlock Guns

Matchlock Guns is the first mechanically firing of guns. Wicks were now attached to a clamp that sprang into gunpowder that was placed in a "flash pan".

Percussion Cap Gun

Percussion Cap Guns invented by Reverend John Forsyth - firing mechanism no longer uses flash pan, a tube lead straight into the gun barrel, the tube had an explosive cap on it that exploded when struck.

M249 Light Machine Gun

The U.S. Marine Corps began using the M249 Light Machine Gun in 1985 and the weapon has scored high marks for providing the firepower of an automatic machine gun with the accuracy and light weight portability of a rifle.

Colonel Colt's Revolver

A brief overview of firearms development, including discussion on the Mini bullet and needle gun. Following on is a review of Colonel Colt's Revolver and commentary on his London factory.