May WA Jr. He's got a gun! Weapons in the emergency room-you can survive! Dimens Crit Care Nurs. 2006;25(2):82-85.
In the article that appears on page 82 of the March/April 2006 issue of DCCN, the legends for Figures 1 and 2 were inadvertently omitted. The figures are given below with their legends. The editor sincerely apologizes for the omission.
NOMENCLATURE OF A REVOLVER (called a revolver because the cylinder, which holds the ammunition, revolves each time the trigger is pulled)
1. Muzzle-end of barrel where bullet exits. Speed of bullet can be in excess of 1,000 to 1,200 feet per second (fps).
2. Front sight-used to align the barrel/muzzle to achieve proper aim to strike intended target; used in conjunction with rear sight.
3. Barrel-long, tube-like structure in which the fired bullet travels before exiting the muzzle.
4. Rear sight-used to align the barrel/muzzle to achieve proper aim to strike the intended target; used in conjunction with the front sight.
5. Hammer-when it falls forward, will strike the cartridge in the cylinder directly underneath. Cartridge has a primer. Primer sets on fire the gunpowder. Expanding burning gases in cartridge push the bullet out of the casing and down the barrel. Bullet exits barrel at muzzle.
6. Cylinder release-used to free the cylinder from the frame of revolver; used to both load and unload revolver or to check and see if revolver is loaded.
7. Grips-used to grip revolver firmly and securely; may be made of wood, plastic, rubber.
8. Trigger guard-protects trigger from rearward movement by accident, such as from falling or from being dropped and striking a hard surface which might push the trigger to the rear. Rearward movement of the trigger causes a rearward movement of the hammer, causing a potential firing of the weapon.
9. Trigger-when pulled to the rear, causes movement of the hammer to the cocked position. When the hammer falls forward, the revolver will discharge. Refer to no. 5.
10. Cylinder-round chamber that holds ammunition (usually 6 rounds or cartridges; some smaller revolvers, called snub-noses, may hold 5; smaller caliber revolvers may hold 7 or more).
11. Ejector rod-used to push loaded to empty cartridges from the revolver, emptying it for reloading or for storage with the cylinder clear of any cartridges.
REMEMBER-NEVER POINT THE MUZZLE OF A REVOLVER OR SEMIAUTOMATIC PISTOL AT ANYTHING OR ANYONE YOU DO NOT INTEND TO SHOOT.
Firearms are nonthinking pieces of equipment that know neither friend nor foe. Anything in a direct line with the muzzle will be struck if the weapon discharges (by accident or purposely).
NOMENCLATURE OF THE SEMIAUTOMATIC PISTOL
1. Muzzle-end of barrel, where bullet exits; can be in excess of 1,000 to 1,200 fps.
2. Front sight-used to align barrel/muzzle to achieve proper aim to strike intended target; used in conjunction with rear sight.
3. Ejection port-empty cartridge case is ejected here to make room for a new cartridge to be fired.
4. Rear sight-used to align barrel/muzzle to achieve proper aim to strike intended target; used in conjunction with front sight.
5. Hammer-when it falls forward after being cocked, strikes a firing pin. Firing pin is pushed forward forcefully, striking rear of cartridge. Cartridge has a primer. Primer sets gunpowder on fire. Expanding burning gases in cartridge push the bullet out of the front of the casing. Bullet travels down the barrel, propelled by hot gases.
6. Grips-used to hold weapon firmly; may be made of plastic or wood.
7. Magazine well-a long tube used to hold ammunition for a semiautomatic pistol; is removed when empty.
8. Magazine release-when wanting to eject empty magazine, depress button and empty magazine can be removed for reloading.
9. Decocking level-safely lowers a cocked hammer to a safe, resting position.
10. Trigger-when pulled to rear, causes movement of hammer. Hammer will fall forward, causing a bullet to be fired if pistol is loaded. Refer to no. 5.
11. Trigger guard-protects trigger from rearward movement by accident (such as a fall from being dropped or striking a hard object which might push the trigger, causing the hammer to move backward also).
12. Frame-body of the pistol containing internal parts.
A simple safety rule to always remember is this-DO NOT PLACE YOUR FINGER INSIDE THE TRIGGER GUARD OR ON THE TRIGGER UNLESS YOU WANT THE WEAPON TO FIRE.