Parts of a Gun

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This is where the bullet exits the barrel along with the gases that are produced when the gun is fired and the blast flame. It is the business end of the gun. Never get any part of your body in front of or even close to the muzzle.

The frame is the bottom half of the gun that comprises the grips, trigger and a place for the slide to rest on. 

The trigger guard protects the trigger from being pressed in the event the gun is dropped or the gun gets jarred form something bumping it. 

The trigger is what activates the firing mechanism (hammer or internal firing mechanism). 

The front strap is where your middle, ring and pinky of your dominate hand wrap around when gripping the gun. Often it will have a textured surface for a better grip.

The grip is what is used to grip the gun with your dominate hand. It is not called a handle.  For a tutorial on proper gun grip, visit this link. 

The magazine well is the hollowed out area of the grip where the magazine is inserted. The magazine will render a clicking sound when it is locked in place so be sure to listen for that when inserting a magazine. If you don't hear the click is not not locked and might not be safe to shoot. 

The is the back of the grip where the palm of your dominate hand is places. It is also usually textured for a better grip. 

The grip safety is a device on the back strap that must be pressed in order to fire the gun. This device is not present in all pistols but is an added safety mechanism on certain guns such as 1911 style guns that must be pressed in order for the gun to fire. By practicing proper grip, the palm of your dominate hand will automatically press the grip safety.  Some guns only have a grip safety and no manual safety. Concealed carry owners sometimes prefer guns with grip safeties as it eliminates the need to disengage a manual safety before firing.

This is an extension on the grip and under the slide to prevent the slide from making contact with the web of your hand between your thumb and first knuckle on your index finger. 

This is what strikes the firing pin which strikes the back of the cartridge, igniting the primer which disturbs the gun powder creating the force to push the projectile down the barrel. 

This is the site you look through to focus on the front site. The front site should be in between the opening in the rear site. 

This button, when pressed, is what releases the magazine from the magazine well. On some guns is a lever and on some older guns it is more of a slide lever commonly referred to as European style magazine release. 

The slide is what rapidly opens an closes each time the trigger is pulled. In open position it allows for the spent cartridge to eject out the ejection port. When it closes the next round has been fed into battery.