ISABELA STATE UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE EDUCATION (CCJE)

ROXAS CAMPUS

MARKSMANSHIP AND COMBAT SHOOTING

(CRIM PE 4)
 Unit 1. FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION

Module 1: Firearms

Introduction
.Weapons are vital part of law enforcement equipment. It is necessary for every law enforcers
to carry every time they perform their duties and responsibilities. Because of this, every law enforcers
must be familiar about the weapon that are issued to them. This module presents the different definition
of firearms, the basic firearm laws, rule and regulations including its nomenclature .

Objectives
At the end of the module the students must be able to:
1. Explain the legal and technical definitions of firearms;
2. Differentiate smooth-bore and rifled-bore firearms;
3. Identify the kinds of firearms according to caliber of projectile propelled, to loading,firing and
location of loading mechanism;
4. Name the major parts of the firearms; and
5. Identify and explain the two groups of firearms.

Firearms
Legal Definition of Firearm
Firearms or arms as herein used, includes rifles, muskets, carbines, shotgun, pistol, revolvers,
and all other deadly weapons, to which a bullet, ball, shot, shell, or other missiles maybe discharge by
means of gun powder or other explosives. This term also includes air rifle, except such of being of small
caliber and limited range used as toys. The barrel of any firearm shall be considered a complete firearm
for all purposes hereof. (Sec 877 Revised Administrative Code/ Sec. 290 national Internal Revenue
Code).
Technical Definition
Firearm is an instrument used for the propulsion of projectile by means of the expansive force
gases coming from burning gunpowder. (FBI manual of Firearms Identification).

BASIC FIREARMS LAWS, RULES AND REGULATIONS

a. Applicable provisions of Republic Act No. 8294
Section 1 of Presidential Decree No. 1866 as amended, is hereby further amended to read as
follows:
“Section 1. Unlawful Manufacture, Sale, Acquisition, Disposition or Possession of Firearms
Ammunition or Instruments Used or Intended to be Used in the Manufacture of Firearms or
Ammunitions – The penalty of prision correccional in its maximum period and a fine of not less
that Fifteen Thousand pesos(P15,000.00) shall be imposed upon any person who shall
unlawfully manufacture, deal in, acquire, dispose or possess any low-powered firearm such as
rim fire handgun, 380 or 32 and other firearm of similar firepower, part of firearm, ammunition
or machinery, tool or instrument used or intended to be used in the manufacture of any firearm
or ammunition: Provided that no other crime was committed.”
 `

“The penalty of prision mayor in its minimum period and a fine of Thirty Thousand pesos
(30,000.00) shall be imposed if the firearm is classified as high-powered firearm which includes
those with bores bigger in diameter than .38 caliber and 9 millimeter such as caliber 40, 41,44,
45 and also lesser calibered firearms but considered powerful such as caliber 357 and
caliber .22 center fire magnum and other firearms with firing capability of full automatic and by
burst of two or three: Provided however, That no other crime was committed by the person
arrested.”
b. Applicable provisions of Republic Act No. 8294
Section 2. Presidential Decree No. 1866. Presumption of illegal Manufacture of Firearms or
Ammunition – The possession of any machinery, tool or instrument used directly in the
manufacture of firearms or ammunition, by any person whose business or employment does
not lawfully deal with the manufacture of firearms or ammunition, shall be prima facie evidence
that such article is intended to be used in the unlawful/illegal manufacture of firearms or
ammunition.
Section 7. Presidential Decree No. 1866. Unauthorized issuance of Authority to Carry Firearm
and/or Ammunition Outside of Residence – The penalty of prision correccional shall be
imposed upon any person, civilian or military, who shall issue authority firearm and/or
ammunition outside of residence, without authority therefore.
“Firearm” as herein used, includes rifles, muskets, carbines, shotguns, revolvers, pistols and all
other deadly weapons from which a bullet, ball, shot, shall or other missile may be discharged
by means of gunpowder or other explosives. The term also includes air rifles and air pistols not
classified as toys under the provisions of Executive Order No. 712 dated 28 July 1981. The
barrel of any firearm shall be considered a complete firearm.
“Ammunition” - refers to loaded shells for rifles, muskets, carbines, shotguns, revolvers, pistols
and other firearms from which a bullet, ball, shot, shall or other missile may be fired by means
of gunpowder of explosives.
”Permit To Carry Firearm Outside of Residence” - is written authority issued to any person by
the Chief of Constabulary which entitles such person to carry his licensed or lawfully issued
firearms outside of residence for the duration and purpose specified therein.
“Residence” – refers to that place where the firearm and ammunition is being permanently kept.
It includes the office or house where it is kept and premises of the house enclosed by walls and
gates separating said premises from adjacent properties. For firearms covered by a Regular
 License or Special Permit their residence shall be hat specified in the license or permit; and
those covered by a Certificate of Registration or a Memorandum Receipt their residence in the
office/station to which the grantee belongs.

NUMBER AND TYPES OF FIREARMS THAT MAY BE POSSESSED

1. Each individual may hold under license a maximum of only one (1) low-powered rifle caliber 22
or shotgun not heavier than 12 gauge and one (1) pistol or revolver, not higher than caliber .38
except caliber .357 and caliber .22 center fire magnum and those which may later be classified
by the Chief, Philippine National Police (C, PNP) as high-powered regardless of the type, make
or caliber.
2. Officers and non-commissioned police officers enlisted personnel in the active service and in
the retired list of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces of the Philippines
(AFP) may hold under license a maximum of only one (1) low powered rifle caliber .22 or
shotgun not heavier than 12 gauge and one (1) sidearm of any type or caliber.
3. Commissioned Officers in good standing of the Reserve Force of the AFP who are on inactive
status may hold under license a maximum of only one (1) low-powered rifle caliber .22 or
shotgun not heavier than 12 gauge and one (1) sidearm not heavier than caliber .45, except
caliber .357 and caliber .22 center fire magnum and those which may later be classified by the
C, PNP as high-powered regardless of the type, make and caliber.

Classification of Firearms

A. Two General Classification of Firearms

(According to Interior Barrel Construction)
1. Smooth Bore Firearms = Firearms that have no rifling (lands and grooves) inside their gun
barrel. Examples: Shotguns and Musket ect…

2. Rifled Bore Firearms = Firearms that have rifling inside their gun barrel.
Examples: Pistols, Revolvers, and other modern weapons.
B. Main Types of Firearms
(According to the Caliber of the projectile propelled)
1. Artillery = Refers to those type of firearms that propels projectile with more than one inch diameter.
Examples: Cannons, Mortars and Bazookas
2. Small Arms = Are firearms that propels projectile with less than one inch diameter and it can be
handled, moved and operated by one man.
Examples: Machine gun, shoulder arms and handguns.

2.1 Machine guns

Machine gun is a type of firearm that is primarily designed for military use. Even in
investigation of shooting cases done in the city, it is not usual or common to encounter this type
of firearm having been used. It can be grouped in three general types:
Sub Machine Gun
Is a light, portable form of machine gun, utilizing a pistol size ammunition, having a
shoulder stock that may or may not be folded and designed to be fired with both hands.
Shoulder Arms
Shoulder Arms are those types of firearm that were normally fired from the shoulder.
Rifles= A shoulder weapon designed to fire a projectile with more accuracy through a long rifled
bore barrel, usually more than 22 inches.
Carbine = A short barrel rifle, with its barrel rifle, measuring not longer than 22 inches. It fires a
single projectile though a rifle-bore either semi-automatic or fully automatic, for every press of the
trigger.
Muskets = is an ancient smoothbore and muzzle loading military shoulder arms designed to fire
a shots or a single round lead ball. A more detailed discussion of musketeers can be found on chapter
8 in the discussion of ignition system.
Shotgun = A smooth bore and a breech loading shoulder arms designed to fire a number of lead
pellets or a shots in one charge (FBA Manual)
The barrel construction of shotgun may also be found in different bore construction.
A. cylinder bore type = which the bore size is the same through out the barrel
B. choke bored gun = designed with a diminishing or reducing bore diameter type towards the
muzzle. This type is designed to cause an effect to the travel of the shots. It makes the
shots travel longer before it spreads.
 C. “paradox gun” = still in a very rear occasions another type of shotgun can be observed to
be having rifling only a few inch from its muzzle points.
2.3 Handguns = those type of firearms that are designed or intended to be fired using one
hand. Ex. Pistols and Revolvers
a. Pistol
In early firearm history, all handguns are generally called as pistols. There were three
classes of pistols in the period. The single shot pistol, the semi automatic and the revolving
pistols now known as the revolver.
b. Revolver
Revolver is a type of firearm designed to position cartridge into position for firing with
the aid of a rotating cylinder serving as its chamber. There are two types of revolvers according
to its mechanical firing action. T
Single action, a type of revolver that needs a manual cocking of the hammer before
squeezing the trigger and the other is Double action, a type of revolver that does not need
manual cocking. Just press the trigger and it both cocked and released the hammer causing a
much faster firing.
C. Types of Firearms
(According of Mechanical Construction)
1. Single shot firearms = types of firearms designed to fire only one shot every loading.
Examples: Single shot pistols, Revolvers and shotguns.
2. Repeating Arms = A type of firearms designed to fire several loads (shot) in one loading.
Examples: Automatic pistols revolvers rifles and shotguns.
3. Automatic F/A = type of firearms that constitutes a continuous firing in a single press of the
trigger and while the trigger is press.
Examples: Machine guns and rifles
4. Slide Action type = types of firearms in which loading take place by back and forth manipulation
of the under/over forearms of the gun.
Examples: Shotgun and pistols
5. Bolt Action Type = Type of firearms in which reloading takes place by manipulating the both back
and forth.
Examples: Rifles, shotguns and machine guns.
6. Lever type (Break type) = loading takes place by lever action on the firearms.
Examples: Rifles and shotguns.
Mixed Types of Gun
1. Cane gun, knife pistols, cellphone gun, etc. = devices principally designed for other purpose to
which a gun mechanism is incorporated also called as Freakish gun.
2. Flare gun = designed for tracing or sending signals or locating enemy troops.
3. Freakish gun = a tool in which firearm mechanism is attached to prevent easy identification.
4. Gas gun = generally referring to all gun designed from firing tear gas.
5. Harpoon guns = refers to a barbed spear in hunting large fish.
[Link] = U.S. government made smooth bore gun used in Europe during war designed to fire
an automatic colt pistol cartridge caliber .45.
7. Multi –Barreled gun = refers to all types of gun containing a number of barrels.
8. Paradox gun = a type of gun which contains lands and grooves a few inch from the muzzle point.
9. Tools = are those devices which resembles a gun designed but are generally used for
construction of furniture.
1. Traps = refers to gun used for trapping animals that are fired to woods.
2. Zip Gun = refers to all type of home-made gun.
Module 2: Ammunition

Introduction
Ammunition is also called Cartridge or Round. It is composed of a bullet, cartridge
case/shell/casing, primer and gun powder. Without one of these parts, there is no ammunition to talk
about. The understanding of many individuals, “bullet” refers to a live ammunition is wrong. This must
be corrected by educators, teaching subjects related to a firearm. Students under these subjects may
also help in the corrective measures.

Objectives:
At the end of the module the student shall be able to:
1. Explain the legal and technical definition of ammunition;
2. Label the parts of an ammunition;
3. Identify the types of cartridge case according to the location of the primer;
4. Differentiate the shapes of cartridge cases;
5. Define what is a bullet’
6. Identify the different types of bullet shape; and
7. Define and explain gun powder.

Ammunition
Legal Definition
Ammunition refers to loaded shell for rifles, muskets, carbine, shotgun, revolvers and pistols
from which a ball, shot shell or other missiles maybe fired by means of gun powder or other explosive.
The term also includes ammunition for air rifles as mentioned elsewhere in the code. (Chapter VII,
Sec.290 of NIRC as well as Sec 877 RAC)
Technical Definition
 Ammunition refers to a group of cartridge or to a single cartridge. Cartridge is a complete
unfired unit consisting of bullet (ball), primer (cap), cartridge case (shell) and gunpowder (propellant).
Origin
The word cartridge was derived from the Latin word “Charta” meaning – a “paper” and also
from the French word “Cartouche” meaning – a rolled paper. This only indicates that the first type of
cartridge was made up of a rolled paper. It was about the turn of the 16 th century that the term
“cartridge” comes to use.
A. General types of Ammunition (Fig. 6)
a. Dummy ( used as a model)
b. Drill Ammunition (without gun powder)
c. Blank Ammunition (without bullet)
d. Live Ammunition
B. Classification of Cartridge
I. According to the Location of the Primer
a. Pin-Fire = is a type of cartridge in which the ignition cap (primer) is concealed inside
the cartridge case and has a pin resting upon it.
b. b. Rim fire = is a type of cartridge in which the priming mixture is located at the hallow
rim of the case can be fired if the cartridge is tuck by the firing pin on the rim of the
case (cavity rim).
c. Center fire = t refers to a cartridge in which primer cup (ignition cap) is centrally placed
in the base of the cartridge case and the priming mixture is exploded by the impact of
the firing pin and with the support of the anvil.
II. According to Rim Diameter
a. Rimmed Case type.
b. Semi-Rimmed type
d. Rimless type
d. Rebated type = refers to the cartridge with rimless pattern, but which has a rim diameter
smaller than the body of the case
e. Belted type = a cartridge with a prominent raise belt around its body just in front of the
extraction groove.

III. According Caliber

Calibers in cartridges in inches and their approximate equivalent in mm and use:
Inches MM.
Cal. .22 about 5.59 mm- used in revolver, pistol and rifles
Cal. .25 about 6.35 mm- used in pistols and rifles.
Cal. .30 about 7.63 mm- (mauser) – for carbines and other rifles
Cal. .30 about 7.63 mm (luger)
Cal. .32 about 7.65 mm for automatic pistols and revolvers
Cal. .380 about 9 mm- used for pistols
Cal. .357 used in magnum .357 revolvers
Cal. .45 about 11 mm – used in automatic pistols
Cal. .50 used in .50 cal. Machine gun

Shotgun Cartridge
It refers to a complete unit of unfired cartridge consisting of the pellets, primer, case, wads and
gunpowder.
Gauge of Shotgun
Compared with other types of firearms, shotgun has very unique characteristics in terms of its
diameter designation both for its firearm and cartridge use. The unit of measurement used in shotgun is
expressed in Gauge. This is determined by the number of solid lead balls of pure lead, each with
diameter of the barrel that can be prepared from one pound of lead. At present the 10-gauge shotgun is
considered with the biggest diameter while the .410 as the smallest one. Listed below are the
equivalents of diameter in gauge to inch.
Gauge Inch
10 .775 inch
12 .729 inch
16 .670 inch
 20 .615 inch
28 .550 inch
.410 .410 inch
The word “Bullet” was derived from French word “Boullette” which means a small ball. This
term is generally used when we are referring to projectile fired from any small arms, which has a variety
of form, especially during the earlier history. In a more technical sense, bullet refers to a metallic or non-
metallic cylindrical ball propelled from a firearm it is sometimes called as shots or slugs.
Bullets have various types depending upon their specific nature and purpose. In general bullet
can be classified as either Lead or Jacketed.

General Types of Bullets

1. Lead Type – is a type of a bullet that is basically composed of lead metal. Its used was due to its
density; having a good weight is a small size and easy for casting.
2. Jacketed Type – Is a type of bullet consisting of the regular lead core, coated with a copper alloy
in order to prevent lead fouling of the barrel and is generally used in pistols and other high
power guns.
According to their Maximum Effect to their targets
1. Ball Type – Is a type of bullet, which is intended for anti-personnel and general use.
2. Armor piercing – is a type of military bullet designed to penetrate light steel armor. Its
mechanical construction makes it capable of penetrating through some light vehicles.
3. Explosive Bullet - Is a small bullet containing a charge of explosive, which will detonate on
impact.
4. Incendiary Bullet –Type of military bullet used to cause fire in a target, generally designed to
use by aircraft armament in order for the fuel tanks to ignite.
5. Tracer Bullet – a type of military bullet capable of leaving visible marks or traces while in
flight giving the gunner the chance to observe the strike of the shot or make adjustments in
the event of a miss
Cartridge Case
Cartridge Case is the metallic or non-metallic tabular container usually of brass (70% copper
and 30% zinc) designed to unite the bullet, primer and the gunpowder into one unit. It is also known as
shell or casing.
Functions of the Cartridge Case
1. It locates the bullet properly relative to the bore of the firearm.
2. It is used to carry the means of ignition.
3. It provides gas seals at the breech against an unwanted escape of propellant gas upon
firing.
4. Serves as waterproof container for the propellant or powder charge.
5. Acts as the insulator between the propellant and the hot walls of the chamber in a rapid firing
of firearms.
Parts of the Cartridge Case
1. Base= the bottom portion of the cartridge case which contains the head stamp marking on
the base of the shell containing the caliber, manufacturer and in some cases including the date,
trade name, and batch number.
2. Rim= is the part of the cartridge designed to limit the forward movement of the cartridge to
chamber.
3. Extracting grooves= is the circular groove near the rim of the shell designed for automatic
withdrawal of the case from the chamber.
4. Primer Pocket=is that part of the shell which provides the means for the primer to be put in
the central position. Its function is extended to: (a) hold the primer in place; (b) to provide means to
prevent the escape of gas; (c) to provide solid support for primer anvil.
5. Body= is the cylindrical part of the shell which house the gunpowder.
6. Shoulder= that part of the cartridge case which support the neck of the cartridge which is
evident in a bottleneck type.
7. Cannelure= is the cylindrical groove in the outer surface of the cartridge case designed to
secure the shell to the chamber as well as prevent bullet from being push down to the powder
charge. In some instance it is even being utilized for identification.
8. Neck= is that part of the shell which is actually occupied by the bullet. This is obvious in a
bottleneck type of shell but not with the straight type.
9. Crimp= is the cylindrical groove on the mouth of the shell designed for two purposes: One
(1) is to hold the bullet and prevent it from being pull out from the shell and Two (2) to offers
resistance to the bullet out of the neck to ensure burning of the gun powder.
10. Vent or Flash hole= is the hole at the bottom of the primer pocket as the passage way for
the priming mixture to impart an ignition to the propellant charge.
Primer
Primer (also called CAP) is the ignition system of the cartridge used in a center fire type,
containing a highly sensitive chemical compound that would easily ignite or bursts into flame when
struck by the firing pin. It may either be Berdan or Boxer type. It is also known as the percussion cup.
The Berdan is a type of primer construction, which was designed in 1860s by Colonel Hiram S.
Berdan of the U.S Army Ordinance Department.
The Boxer on the other hand, was developed by Col. Edward M. Boxer of the Royal Laboratory
at Woolwich Arsenal in the year 1866
Parts of the Primer
1. Primer Cup= Is the brass gilding metal cup which contains the priming mixture, the disc and
the anvil.
2. Priming Mixture= Is the highly sensitive chemical compound which ignites by the mechanical
blow of the firing pin. It is also called as percussion powder.
3. Anvil= Is that portion of the primer which provides solid support and absorbs the blow of the
firing pin causing friction that would initiates ignition.
4. Disc= Is a thin paper or foil which is pressed over the priming mixture in order to protect it
from moisture attack.

Gun Powder
Gunpowder (also called as propellant or Power Charge) is that mixture of chemicals of various
compositions designed to propel the projectile by means of its expansive force of gas when burned.
Two of the most popular individual whose name is always attached to gunpowder discovery
were Roger Bacon and Berthold Schwartz. Let’s take a short description of how their names are always
mentioned in the history.
Roger Bacon, (1242 A.D.) a Franciscan monk, who wrote the ---“De Mirabili Potestate Artis et
Naturae” (On the Marvelous Power of Art and Nature), including an anagram.
Berthold Schwartz (whose real name was Constantin Anklitzen), a mysterious monk of
Freiburg, who according to legend that is supported by an engraving dated 1643, while experimenting
on some powder in a cast iron vessel, he ignited a charge and thus blew off the lid, and from this
deduced the principle of containing a charge in a tube and propelling a shot (Encyclopedia of
ammunition).

The Black Powder

 Black powder, the oldest known explosive, was initially made from saltpeter (Potassium Nitrate)
(75%), charcoal (15%) and sulfur (10%).
These problems in the used of black powder was later remedied with the introduction of the
smokeless powder. According to Harrison, Captain E. Schultze of the Prussian Army, made the 1st
successful used of smokeless powder in shotgun in the year 1864. (Although historically nitroglycerine
compound was first discovered in 1846). The basic ingredient used for smokeless powder is a
nitrocellulose that was first produced by adding a nitric acid to cellulose fiber.
Later, M. Vieille of French developed the first smokeless powder for riffle in the year 1884 and
named it “poudre B” taken after Gen. Boulanger’s name. In 1887, Alfred Nobel invented a smokeless
powder with nitroglycerine 40% and nitrocellulose (60%) as the main composition and called it
“Ballistite”. In Great Britain, they utilized picrid acid in addition to cellulose powder which they called
“Lyddite” and in germany TNT (Tri-nitrololeune ) was the one used, more powerful than picric acid but
much difficult to detonate. Also In the year 1889, Prof. Abel, a British War dept. Chemist developed
“Cordite” a smokeless powder with same composition as Nobel in the form of cords or sticks. And in
early 1890’s smokeless powder had replaced black powder and became uniformly used worldwide by
the year 1900.
Midterm coverage