Hunter-Ed Certification Practice Exam

After a rifle is fired and the firing pin strikes the primer, what happens next in the sequence of events?

1. The bullet exits the barrel

2. The primer explodes and ignites the gunpowder

3. The trigger resets

4. The safety mechanism engages

The correct answer is: The primer explodes and ignites the gunpowder

After the firing pin strikes the primer, the primer explodes and ignites the gunpowder. This is a crucial step in the firing sequence of a rifle. When the firing pin makes contact with the primer, it causes the primer to detonate. This detonation generates a small but significant amount of heat and gas, leading to the ignition of the gunpowder located in the cartridge. Once the gunpowder is ignited, it rapidly burns and produces a large volume of gas that creates high pressure inside the cartridge casing. This pressure is what propels the bullet down the barrel and out of the firearm. The entire process must occur in the correct order for the rifle to function properly. As a result, the ignition of the gunpowder is the critical next step following the primer’s explosion, ensuring that the bullet is dislodged and sent down the barrel toward the target. The other options describe events that do not occur immediately after firing. For instance, the trigger resetting happens after the shot is fired, rather than as part of the firing sequence. The safety mechanism engaging is a precautionary measure that would typically be addressed before handling or firing the firearm rather than an event that occurs after the rifle is fired.