CFSC Ammunition Types & Storage 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following correctly describes a cartridge in Canadian firearms terminology?
- A complete round of ammunition consisting of case, primer, powder, and projectile (Correct answer)
- Only the brass case of a round
- The projectile alone that exits the barrel
- The propellant powder only
Correct answer: A complete round of ammunition consisting of case, primer, powder, and projectile
A cartridge is the complete assembled unit of ammunition including the case, primer, propellant powder, and projectile.
Under Canadian firearms safety standards, a cartridge refers to the complete assembled round of ammunition consisting of four components: the case, the primer, the propellant powder, and the projectile. Understanding terminology is essential for safe handling and compliance with the Firearms Act.
Question 2: When storing ammunition in Canada, what is the primary requirement regarding proximity to firearms?
- Ammunition must be stored separately from firearms or in a locked container along with an unloaded firearm (Correct answer)
- Ammunition may be stored in the same unlocked container as loaded firearms
- Ammunition must be kept in the original factory box only
- There are no specific Canadian storage requirements for ammunition
Correct answer: Ammunition must be stored separately from firearms or in a locked container along with an unloaded firearm
Canadian regulations require that ammunition be stored separately from firearms, or if together, both must be in a locked container and the firearm must be unloaded.
The Canadian Firearms Act specifies that non-restricted firearms must be stored unloaded and rendered inoperable by a locking device or stored in a locked container. If ammunition is stored with a firearm, the container must be locked. The goal is to prevent unauthorized users from quickly loading and using a firearm.
Question 3: What does rimfire mean in reference to a cartridge?
- The primer compound is located in the rim of the cartridge case (Correct answer)
- The bullet has a rim around its base for better accuracy
- The cartridge is designed only for rifles
- The cartridge uses a rimmed case for extraction only
Correct answer: The primer compound is located in the rim of the cartridge case
In a rimfire cartridge, the priming compound is contained within the hollow rim of the cartridge case. When the firing pin strikes the rim, it ignites the primer.
Rimfire cartridges such as the .22 LR have their primer compound distributed around the inside of the hollow rim. The firing pin crushes the rim to ignite the primer. Rimfire ammunition is generally lower-powered and less expensive than centrefire. Centerfire cartridges have the primer in a separate cup in the center of the case head.
Question 4: How should a responsible gun owner handle surplus or unwanted ammunition in Canada?
- Take it to a licensed firearms dealer or police station for safe disposal (Correct answer)
- Burn it in a fireplace or outdoor fire
- Bury it in the backyard
- Flush it down the toilet
Correct answer: Take it to a licensed firearms dealer or police station for safe disposal
Surplus or unwanted ammunition should be taken to a licensed firearms dealer or local police station. Improper disposal is dangerous and may be illegal.
Disposing of ammunition by burning, burying, or flushing is dangerous and environmentally harmful. Canadian law and safety guidelines direct owners to bring unwanted ammunition to a licensed firearms dealer or a local police service. Many ranges also accept old or surplus ammunition. This ensures safe, proper disposal.
Question 5: What type of ammunition is typically used in a semi-automatic pistol?
- Centrefire pistol cartridges such as 9mm or .45 ACP (Correct answer)
- Rimfire cartridges such as .22 LR exclusively
- Shotshells loaded with birdshot
- Muzzleloader powder charges
Correct answer: Centrefire pistol cartridges such as 9mm or .45 ACP
Semi-automatic pistols typically use centrefire pistol cartridges such as 9mm Parabellum or .45 ACP, which feed reliably from detachable box magazines.
Semi-automatic pistols use centrefire cartridges because the primer is in the center of the case base, allowing reliable ignition during the rapid cycling of the action. Common calibres include 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP. Rimfire cartridges are generally less reliable for rapid semi-automatic feeding.
Question 6: Which statement about storing different calibres of ammunition together is correct?
- Different calibres should be clearly labelled and separated to prevent loading the wrong ammunition into a firearm (Correct answer)
- Different calibres may be mixed freely as long as they are locked away
- Only the same brand of ammunition can be stored together
- Calibre mixing is only a concern for restricted firearms
Correct answer: Different calibres should be clearly labelled and separated to prevent loading the wrong ammunition into a firearm
Mixing calibres risks accidentally loading the wrong ammunition into a firearm, which can cause dangerous malfunctions or serious injury.
Inserting the wrong calibre ammunition into a firearm can result in a squib load, overpressure explosion, or failure to fire, all of which can cause serious injury. Canadian safe storage practices recommend keeping different calibres in clearly labelled, separate containers stored systematically.
CFSC Ammunition Types & Storage 2
Which of the following correctly describes a cartridge in Canadian firearms terminology?