Canadian Firearms Safety Course (CFSC) Practice Exam

The component responsible for igniting the powder in a shell is the primer. The primer is a small device housed in the base of the cartridge. When struck by the firing pin of the firearm, it produces a small explosion or spark. This ignition source is crucial because it ignites the propellant powder inside the shell, which in turn generates the gas that propels the projectile down the barrel.

Understanding the role of the primer is vital for the safe handling and operation of firearms, as it is the starting point of the firing process. The wad, projectiles, and shell casing have different functions; for instance, the wad helps to seal the gases and ensure efficient combustion, the projectiles are what are discharged from the firearm, and the shell casing holds all components together but does not play a role in ignition. Recognizing these distinctions will deepen your knowledge of how ammunition functions as a whole.