NRA BASIC PISTOL SHOOTING COURSE
EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
GRADED A+ 2025/2026
The three major components of a pistol are: - ANS frame, barrel and action
Your finger may contact the trigger: - ANS when you are ready to shoot
The trigger mechanism: - ANS releases a spring-powered hammer or striker to fire the
cartridge.
Aiming consists of: - ANS sight alignment and sight picture.
When aiming a pistol, the eye can only focus on one object at a time; therefore, you should
focus on the (BLANK) so that it appears clear and sharp. - ANS front sight
To ensure you use the correct ammunition for your gun: - ANS a. check the information
stamped on the barrel and/or slide.
b. check your owner's manual.
c. check the cartridge box and cartridge headstamp.
d. all of the above.
1 @COPYRIGHT 2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, When a cartridge fails to fire immediately, you should: - ANS keep the pistol pointed in a safe
direction and, after waiting at least 30 seconds (as a precaution in case of a hangfire), open the
action and remove the cartridge.
When gripping the pistol, you should: - ANS use the same grip each time that you hold the
pistol.
Follow-through is important because: - ANS it integrates, maintains and continues all
shooting fundamentals before, during and immediately after firing the shot.
The frame of a pistol is: - ANS is the central component of most pistols.
The four components of a pistol cartridge are: - ANS case, primer, powder charge and bullet.
Some of the benefits of the Isosceles Position are: - ANS it is natural and easy to assume.
Double-action refers to the type of action: - ANS in which pulling the trigger performs two
tasks: cocking and releasing the hammer.
Before cleaning a pistol, be sure that: - ANS a. the pistol is unloaded.
b. The pistol is disassembled according to instructions in owner's manual.
c. no ammunition is present in the area.
d. all of the above.
A_______ occurs when a cartridge fails to fire after the primer has been struck by the firing pin.
- ANS misfire
2 @COPYRIGHT 2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
GRADED A+ 2025/2026
The three major components of a pistol are: - ANS frame, barrel and action
Your finger may contact the trigger: - ANS when you are ready to shoot
The trigger mechanism: - ANS releases a spring-powered hammer or striker to fire the
cartridge.
Aiming consists of: - ANS sight alignment and sight picture.
When aiming a pistol, the eye can only focus on one object at a time; therefore, you should
focus on the (BLANK) so that it appears clear and sharp. - ANS front sight
To ensure you use the correct ammunition for your gun: - ANS a. check the information
stamped on the barrel and/or slide.
b. check your owner's manual.
c. check the cartridge box and cartridge headstamp.
d. all of the above.
1 @COPYRIGHT 2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, When a cartridge fails to fire immediately, you should: - ANS keep the pistol pointed in a safe
direction and, after waiting at least 30 seconds (as a precaution in case of a hangfire), open the
action and remove the cartridge.
When gripping the pistol, you should: - ANS use the same grip each time that you hold the
pistol.
Follow-through is important because: - ANS it integrates, maintains and continues all
shooting fundamentals before, during and immediately after firing the shot.
The frame of a pistol is: - ANS is the central component of most pistols.
The four components of a pistol cartridge are: - ANS case, primer, powder charge and bullet.
Some of the benefits of the Isosceles Position are: - ANS it is natural and easy to assume.
Double-action refers to the type of action: - ANS in which pulling the trigger performs two
tasks: cocking and releasing the hammer.
Before cleaning a pistol, be sure that: - ANS a. the pistol is unloaded.
b. The pistol is disassembled according to instructions in owner's manual.
c. no ammunition is present in the area.
d. all of the above.
A_______ occurs when a cartridge fails to fire after the primer has been struck by the firing pin.
- ANS misfire
2 @COPYRIGHT 2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
