The rifle is a combination of distinct and vitally important components. The articles in this section will go over each of the individual components in detail. To help you organize the later information in your mind, let’s discuss how everything fits together as a whole.
The Pieces
The easiest part to start with is the action. It’s going to be roughly in the middle of the rifle, easily identified by the trigger hanging below it. The action is the core of the rifle, responsible for moving the cartridge into position, setting it off, and extracting the spent case. The action is housed in an area known as the receiver. The receiver links with the rear end of the barrel, otherwise known as the breech end of the barrel. The muzzle is the end of the barrel that points away from you. The cartridge, when ready to fire, is held in the chamber at the rear of the barrel. When waiting to be loaded into the chamber, the cartridge may instead be held in a magazine, which holds multiple rounds ready to load.
The stock surrounds and sits alongside the barrel and receiver. The rear of the stock presses against your shoulder. This is the butt of the rifle, and is where you’ll feel the recoil when the round goes off. Underneath or around the barrel, the stock will extend partway to provide a safe place to grip or support the rifle – the forend. The barrel can become quite hot while firing, and having a cool place to grab will save you much grief. The barrel may or may not be fastened into the stock. Â
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