FSC - Firearm Safety Certificate Ammunition and Malfunctions Questions and Answers 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does the caliber designation ".45 ACP" mean?
- .45 inch bullet diameter; ACP stands for Automatic Colt Pistol (Correct answer)
- .45 mm bullet diameter; ACP stands for Automatic Chamber Pressure
- 45 grain bullet weight; ACP stands for American Cartridge Profile
- .45 inch case length; ACP stands for Automatic Casing Profile
Correct answer: .45 inch bullet diameter; ACP stands for Automatic Colt Pistol
.45 ACP stands for .45 Automatic Colt Pistol. The .45 refers to the approximate bullet diameter of 0.452 inches. ACP indicates it was designed for semi-automatic pistols (specifically originally for the Colt 1911). Caliber designations in the US typically indicate bullet diameter in inches or millimeters.
Question 2: What is the difference between a "misfire" and a "squib load"?
- They are the same thing
- A misfire is when the cartridge fails to fire at all; a squib load is when the cartridge fires with insufficient power to fully propel the bullet out of the barrel (Correct answer)
- A misfire produces a loud report; a squib load is silent
- A misfire occurs with rimfire ammunition; a squib load occurs with centerfire ammunition
Correct answer: A misfire is when the cartridge fails to fire at all; a squib load is when the cartridge fires with insufficient power to fully propel the bullet out of the barrel
A misfire is a complete failure to fire — the primer does not ignite, producing a click. A squib load fires but with greatly reduced powder, producing a quiet pop with reduced recoil, and the bullet may lodge in the barrel. Both require careful handling. A squib is particularly dangerous if not recognized before the next shot.
Question 3: What does "+P" mean on a box of ammunition?
- The ammunition is positively charged for increased accuracy
- The ammunition is loaded to higher-than-standard pressure, producing more velocity and energy (Correct answer)
- The ammunition uses a plus-style primer for reliability
- The ammunition is packaged with extra projectiles
Correct answer: The ammunition is loaded to higher-than-standard pressure, producing more velocity and energy
+P ammunition is loaded to higher pressure than the standard SAAMI specification for that caliber, resulting in higher muzzle velocity and energy. It should only be used in firearms rated by the manufacturer to handle +P ammunition. Using +P in a firearm not rated for it can accelerate wear or cause unsafe pressure levels.
Question 4: What should you do if you hear an unusual sound or feel reduced recoil after pulling the trigger?
- Continue firing as normal; this is not uncommon
- Immediately stop firing, keep the firearm pointed in a safe direction, and check the barrel for an obstruction (possible squib load) (Correct answer)
- Eject the magazine and insert a fresh one
- Engage the safety and holster the firearm
Correct answer: Immediately stop firing, keep the firearm pointed in a safe direction, and check the barrel for an obstruction (possible squib load)
An unusual quiet report or reduced recoil may indicate a squib load — a round that has fired but left the bullet lodged in the barrel. Firing a subsequent round into a blocked barrel can cause catastrophic barrel rupture. Immediately stop, point in a safe direction, make the firearm safe, and inspect the barrel before continuing.
Question 5: What is the purpose of a "failure drill" (also called a Mozambique drill)?
- To train reloading speed under pressure
- Two shots to the body and one to the head — a training drill for situations where body shots fail to stop a threat (Correct answer)
- To practice clearing double-feed malfunctions
- To train shooters to fire with their non-dominant hand
Correct answer: Two shots to the body and one to the head — a training drill for situations where body shots fail to stop a threat
The Mozambique drill (failure drill) consists of two rounds fired to the center of mass followed by one round to the head. It was developed to address situations where body shots fail to stop an attacker. The FSC covers this concept in the context of understanding why accurate shot placement matters in defensive situations.
Question 6: Which statement about hollow point ammunition is correct?
- Hollow point ammunition is illegal in California
- Hollow point ammunition is designed to expand on impact, creating a larger wound channel while generally reducing over-penetration risk compared to FMJ (Correct answer)
- Hollow point ammunition is only for law enforcement use
- Hollow point ammunition cannot be used in semi-automatic pistols
Correct answer: Hollow point ammunition is designed to expand on impact, creating a larger wound channel while generally reducing over-penetration risk compared to FMJ
Hollow point ammunition is legal for civilian use in California. It is designed to expand upon impact, which increases its stopping effectiveness while typically reducing the risk of over-penetration (passing through the target and striking unintended persons). Many self-defense experts recommend hollow point ammunition for home defense for this reason.
FSC - Firearm Safety Certificate Ammunition and Malfunctions Questions and Answers 3
What does the caliber designation ".45 ACP" mean?