Effective November 18, 2009, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission changed their guidelines for distance learning. Students are now required to spend a minimum amount of time on each course page before proceeding to the certification exam.

Click here to go to the latest version of the Today's Hunter in North Carolina online course—the official hunter education course of the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.

The following course material is for reference only. Please go to the new course to complete your North Carolina certification.

How Ammunition is Fired

The firing sequence for handguns and shotguns is very similar to this sequence shown for a bolt-action rifle.

Continue to see a more detailed cross-section diagram as well as step-by-step explanation of the firing sequence.

Cutaway: Bolt closing with parts labeled

The bolt moves forward, compressing the firing pin spring and inserting a cartridge into the chamber.

Cutaway: Cartridge chambered

The firing pin is held back under spring tension.

Cutaway: Firing pin strikes primer

When the trigger is squeezed, the firing pin moves forward, crushing and igniting the primer in the cartridge base.

Cutaway: Cartridge is fired

The primer ignites the gunpowder, generating gas pressure, which forces the bullet forward and out of the barrel.