California Firearm Safety Certificate (FSC) Practice Exam

Which part of the firearm loads, fires, and ejects cartridges?

1. Barrel

2. Trigger

3. Action

4. Stock

The correct answer is: Action

The action of a firearm is the component responsible for loading, firing, and ejecting cartridges. It encompasses various mechanisms that facilitate these critical functions, including the bolt, slide, and firing mechanism. By coordinating the feeding of ammunition from the magazine into the chamber, igniting the primer to fire the round when the trigger is pulled, and then ejecting the spent cartridge casing, the action plays a vital role in the overall operation of the firearm. The barrel refers to the part of the firearm through which the bullet travels when fired, but it does not engage in the loading or ejection processes. The trigger is merely the device that initiates the firing sequence but does not perform the loading or ejection of cartridges. The stock is the structural component that provides stability and support for the shooter, but it also does not play a role in the functional processes of loading, firing, or ejecting. Thus, the action is the correctly identified part of the firearm for these tasks.