Page 1 of 160
NRA Basic Pistol Shooting Course Exam QUESTIONS
AND VERIFIED ANSWERS LATEST UPDATE THIS
YEAR
POINT FORM SUMMARIZED EXAM COVERAGE (NRA Basic Pistol Shooting Course)
• NRA three fundamental rules of safe gun handling
• Pistol components: frame, barrel, action (semi-automatic and revolver)
• Cartridge components: case, primer, powder, projectile (bullet)
• Centerfire vs rimfire ammunition identification and use
• Malfunctions: misfire, hang-fire, squib load – recognition and response
• Pistol actions: single-action, double-action, double-action only, striker-fired
• Revolver operation: cylinder, crane/yoke, ejector rod, single vs double action
• Semi-automatic operation: slide, magazine, extractor, ejector, feeding cycle
• Shooting fundamentals: grip, stance, sight alignment, sight picture
• Breath control and natural respiratory pause
• Trigger control: press versus pull, smooth application
• Follow-through integration of all fundamentals
• Stances: Isosceles, Weaver, and modified versions
• Dry-fire practice methodology and safety
• Range safety: commands, procedures, hot/cold range protocols
• Cleaning and maintenance: safety steps, disassembly, lubrication points
• Safe storage: locks, containers, ammunition segregation
• Ammunition selection and matching to firearm
• Sight adjustment rules: rear sight movement direction
• Dominate eye identification and sighting
• Marksmanship qualification programs
EXAM QUESTIONS (NRA Basic Pistol Shooting Course)
Question 1
What are the three major components of a pistol?
A) Slide, trigger, magazine
B) Frame, barrel, action
C) Cylinder, grip, sights
D) Hammer, firing pin, extractor
, Page 2 of 160
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The three major structural components of any pistol are the frame (the housing), the barrel
(the tube the bullet travels through), and the action (the moving parts that load, fire, and unload
cartridges).
Question 2
According to NRA rules, when may your finger contact the trigger?
A) When the firearm is pointed downrange
B) When the safety is engaged
C) When you are ready to shoot
D) When the firearm is unloaded
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The NRA's third fundamental rule of safe gun handling states "Keep your finger off the trigger
until your sights are on the target and you are ready to shoot." This prevents accidental discharges.
Question 3
What is the primary function of rifling inside a pistol barrel?
, Page 3 of 160
A) To increase muzzle velocity
B) To spin the bullet for gyroscopic stability
C) To reduce recoil
D) To make cleaning easier
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Rifling consists of spiral grooves cut into the bore that cause the bullet to spin as it travels
down the barrel. This gyroscopic spin stabilizes the bullet in flight, improving accuracy.
Question 4
What are the four main components of a pistol cartridge?
A) Bullet, gunpowder, wad, shot
B) Case, primer, powder, bullet
C) Rim, case, shot, primer
D) Propellant, projectile, lubricant, seal
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Every complete cartridge consists of the case (holds all components), the primer (ignites the
powder), the propellant (gunpowder), and the projectile (bullet, shot, or slug).
, Page 4 of 160
Question 5
What is the difference between a misfire and a hang-fire?
A) A misfire never fires; a hang-fire fires after a delay
B) A misfire fires with low velocity; a hang-fire fires with high velocity
C) There is no difference; they are the same condition
D) A misfire occurs in revolvers; a hang-fire occurs in semi-automatics
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A misfire occurs when the cartridge fails to fire at all. A hang-fire is a delayed ignition where
the cartridge fires after a brief pause. Both require keeping the firearm pointed in a safe direction for 30
seconds before clearing.
Question 6
When a cartridge fails to fire after the primer has been struck, what is the proper response?
A) Immediately eject the cartridge to inspect it
B) Keep the pistol pointed in a safe direction and wait at least 30 seconds
C) Reload and attempt to fire again immediately
D) Hand the firearm to an instructor for clearing
NRA Basic Pistol Shooting Course Exam QUESTIONS
AND VERIFIED ANSWERS LATEST UPDATE THIS
YEAR
POINT FORM SUMMARIZED EXAM COVERAGE (NRA Basic Pistol Shooting Course)
• NRA three fundamental rules of safe gun handling
• Pistol components: frame, barrel, action (semi-automatic and revolver)
• Cartridge components: case, primer, powder, projectile (bullet)
• Centerfire vs rimfire ammunition identification and use
• Malfunctions: misfire, hang-fire, squib load – recognition and response
• Pistol actions: single-action, double-action, double-action only, striker-fired
• Revolver operation: cylinder, crane/yoke, ejector rod, single vs double action
• Semi-automatic operation: slide, magazine, extractor, ejector, feeding cycle
• Shooting fundamentals: grip, stance, sight alignment, sight picture
• Breath control and natural respiratory pause
• Trigger control: press versus pull, smooth application
• Follow-through integration of all fundamentals
• Stances: Isosceles, Weaver, and modified versions
• Dry-fire practice methodology and safety
• Range safety: commands, procedures, hot/cold range protocols
• Cleaning and maintenance: safety steps, disassembly, lubrication points
• Safe storage: locks, containers, ammunition segregation
• Ammunition selection and matching to firearm
• Sight adjustment rules: rear sight movement direction
• Dominate eye identification and sighting
• Marksmanship qualification programs
EXAM QUESTIONS (NRA Basic Pistol Shooting Course)
Question 1
What are the three major components of a pistol?
A) Slide, trigger, magazine
B) Frame, barrel, action
C) Cylinder, grip, sights
D) Hammer, firing pin, extractor
, Page 2 of 160
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The three major structural components of any pistol are the frame (the housing), the barrel
(the tube the bullet travels through), and the action (the moving parts that load, fire, and unload
cartridges).
Question 2
According to NRA rules, when may your finger contact the trigger?
A) When the firearm is pointed downrange
B) When the safety is engaged
C) When you are ready to shoot
D) When the firearm is unloaded
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The NRA's third fundamental rule of safe gun handling states "Keep your finger off the trigger
until your sights are on the target and you are ready to shoot." This prevents accidental discharges.
Question 3
What is the primary function of rifling inside a pistol barrel?
, Page 3 of 160
A) To increase muzzle velocity
B) To spin the bullet for gyroscopic stability
C) To reduce recoil
D) To make cleaning easier
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Rifling consists of spiral grooves cut into the bore that cause the bullet to spin as it travels
down the barrel. This gyroscopic spin stabilizes the bullet in flight, improving accuracy.
Question 4
What are the four main components of a pistol cartridge?
A) Bullet, gunpowder, wad, shot
B) Case, primer, powder, bullet
C) Rim, case, shot, primer
D) Propellant, projectile, lubricant, seal
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Every complete cartridge consists of the case (holds all components), the primer (ignites the
powder), the propellant (gunpowder), and the projectile (bullet, shot, or slug).
, Page 4 of 160
Question 5
What is the difference between a misfire and a hang-fire?
A) A misfire never fires; a hang-fire fires after a delay
B) A misfire fires with low velocity; a hang-fire fires with high velocity
C) There is no difference; they are the same condition
D) A misfire occurs in revolvers; a hang-fire occurs in semi-automatics
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A misfire occurs when the cartridge fails to fire at all. A hang-fire is a delayed ignition where
the cartridge fires after a brief pause. Both require keeping the firearm pointed in a safe direction for 30
seconds before clearing.
Question 6
When a cartridge fails to fire after the primer has been struck, what is the proper response?
A) Immediately eject the cartridge to inspect it
B) Keep the pistol pointed in a safe direction and wait at least 30 seconds
C) Reload and attempt to fire again immediately
D) Hand the firearm to an instructor for clearing
