Quiz: How Much Do You Know About Pistols And Pistol Ammo?

by
posted on September 21, 2018
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
pistolquiz1.jpg

How much do you know—or think you know—about handguns and handgun ammunition?  Take our 10-question quiz to find out. We’ll start with a few easier questions and get tougher as we go. The answers are at the end of the quiz but don’t peek ahead, we’ll know!

1.  Modern handguns can be used for?

a.  Self-defense
b.  Recreational/competitive shooting
c.  Hunting
d.  All of the above

 

2.  Centerfire handgun cartridges have how many parts?

a.  Three
b.  Four
c.  Five
d.  Six

 

3.  True or false: revolvers are fired either single-action or double-action?

a.  True
b.  False

 

4.  True or false: semi-automatic handguns are either hammer-fired or striker-fired?

a.  True
b.  False

 

5.  In the popular .45 ACP handgun cartridge, what does ACP stand for?

a.  Ammunition Custom Products
b.  American Colt Pistol
c.  Automatic Colt Pistol
d.  None of the above

 

6.  The classic 1911-style semi-automatic handgun was introduced in the year 1911 by what American gun maker?

a.  Smith & Wesson
b.  Remington
c.  Colt
d.  Winchester

 

7.  True or false: Glock semi-automatic handguns can be safely carried with their manual safety either engaged or disengaged?

a.  True
b.  False

 

8.  True or false: the caliber of a handgun is measured either in thousandths of an inch, or in millimeters?

a.  True
b.  False

 

9.  The historic Derringer handgun was of what size?

a.  Small
b.  Medium
c.  Large
d.  Magnum

 

10.  The best way to become a good handgun shooter is to?

a.  Take a solid stance
b.  Get a firm grip
c.  Concentrate on the front sight
d.  Maintain a smoother trigger pull and follow through
e.  All of the above

Answers:

  1. d, All of the above
  2. b, Four (case, powder, primer, bullet)
  3. a, True
  4. a, True
  5. c, Automatic Colt Pistol
  6. c, Colt
  7. b, False (Trick question! Like many handguns, Glocks have no manual safety, so be sure to remember this whenever you handle one!
  8. a, True (Handgun caliber measured in thousandths of an inch is the American method of calculating caliber; measuring in millimeters is the European method.)
  9. a, Small (The original Derringer was a single-shot, muzzleloading percussion-cap pistol introduced in 1852 by Henry Deringer)
  10. e, All of the above (and practice, practice, practice!)

 

Score Card:

Well, how did you do?

  • One to five answers correct: keep shooting.
  • Six to eight answers correct: well done.
  • Nine or ten answers correct: You’re a handgunner!

Did you enjoy the pistol quiz? Below are two more that you might like to try:

Latest

1 Kimber 2K11 USPSA
1 Kimber 2K11 USPSA

Review: Kimber 2K11

An in-depth look at Kimber's new 2K11 high-capacity 1911 platform, covering the Target (OR) for competition and Pro Stainless for carry and defense.

NRA America’s Rifle Challenge: Kyle Lamb’s Three Tips Before Your First Match

Kyle Lamb opens a new NRA America’s Rifle Challenge video series with advice on training courses, shooting logs and the friendships that keep people coming back to the range.

West Virginia Claims Fourth Straight GARC Championship

WVU wins fourth consecutive GARC Championship with 4740 aggregate, edging Kentucky and Navy at Army West Point on Feb. 28–Mar. 1.

All About The 2026 USPSA Nationals

USPSA splits the 2026 Nationals into Factory Gun and Race Gun events, detailing divisions, venues, slot allocation and registration dates.

How To Qualify For IPSC Events

USPSA members can represent the U.S. at IPSC World Shoot events through a merit-based qualification process using designated qualifier matches.

WVU Eyes Fourth Straight Title as GARC Championship Returns to West Point

The 2026 GARC Championship features No. 1 Kentucky, No. 4 WVU and four more ranked teams competing at Army West Point on February 28–March 1.



Get the best of Shooting Sports USA delivered to your inbox.