Manual

9
NOMENCLATURE
Smith & Wesson handguns are reliable and safe to use when the
firearm safety rules are followed. There are a number of internal
safety mechanisms within the lockwork of the handgun which
ensure that the firearm will not discharge unless the trigger of the
handgun is pulled. That is one reason why it is important to
never modify or alter your firearm. Before you use your handgun,
you should be fully familiar with its operation.
Here is a list of basic firearms terminology.
AMMUNITION - CENTERFIRE - Ammunition which contains the
primer in the center of the base of the case. Among the most
common centerfire handgun cartridges are the .32, .38 Special,
.380, 9mm, .357 Magnum®, .40 S&W®, .45 ACP and the .44
Magnum®.
AMMUNITION - RIMFIRE - Ammunition which contains the
primer material in the rim. Among the most common rimfire
handgun cartridges are the .22 Short, .22 Long, .22 LR, and
.22 Magnum.
CALIBER - The diameter of a bullet, designated in hundredths or
thousandths of an inch (.357) or in millimeters (9mm).
DECOCK - The process by which the hammer or striker is safely
lowered.
DOUBLE ACTION - A firing action where a single pull of the trig-
ger draws the hammer or striker to the rear then releases it, firing
the handgun.
DOUBLE ACTION ONLY - A firearm that can only be fired in
double action (cannot be fired in single action).
PISTOL - A handgun that contains multiple cartridges in a
magazine.
REVOLVER - A handgun that contains multiple cartridges in a
cylinder that revolves at the rear of the barrel.
SINGLE ACTION - A firing action where the hammer or striker is
released from the cocked position by pulling the trigger.
STRIKER FIRE ACTION - The pistol is normally in a partially
cocked condition. Pulling the trigger completes cocking the
internal striker and releases this striker mechanism to fire the
pistol.
TRADITIONAL DOUBLE ACTION - A firearm that can be fired
either in doub
le action or single action.
The operation of your handgun will be explained in greater detail
in the pages that f
ollow, as well as a greater description of key
component parts.