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

2026 Winch Seminolecup 1
2026 Winch Seminolecup 1

Connor Daniel Leads Team Winchester and White Flyer Sweep of Seminole Cup Main Event Podium

Team Winchester and Team White Flyer sweep Main Event podium at 2026 Seminole Cup, Connor Daniel wins HOA and Desi Edmunds takes Lady champion honor.

2025 IPSC World Shoot: Team USA on the World Stage

Christian Sailer won gold by 136 points at the 2025 IPSC World Shoot in South Africa as Team USA medaled across all divisions.

Mount Aloysius Defends MAC Championship Title as Two Mollys Steal the Show

Mount Aloysius College defends MAC championship title with 4558 aggregate as Schreiner’s Molly Mitchell and Mounties’ Molly Miller split conference’s top individual honors.

New: Fix It Sticks Armorer’s Punch Toolkit

Fix It Sticks pairs a new magnetic-socket hammer with 24 punches in a portable kit aimed at competition shooters, armorers and gunsmiths who work on guns away from the bench.

Champions Old And New: 1989 National Matches

The 1989 National Matches featured new metric targets, a record-setting U.S. Pershing Team victory, repeat champions and breakthrough performances across all disciplines.

NRA America’s Rifle Challenge: Kyle Lamb’s Position-by-Position Guide to the ARC Barricade

Kyle Lamb covers six positions on the NRA ARC barricade with practical tips on stability, transitions and rifle placement.



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