NRA Basic Rifle Shooting Course Questions and
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. What is the first rule of safe firearm handling?
A. Always keep the firearm unloaded
B. Always keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot
C. Always keep the gun pointed in a safe direction
D. Always store firearms locked
Correct Answer: C. Always keep the gun pointed in a safe direction
Rationale: The most fundamental rule of firearm safety is to always
keep the firearm pointed in a safe direction. This ensures that even if a
firearm were to discharge unintentionally, it would not cause injury or
damage. The other safety rules are also critical, but maintaining a safe
direction is the foundation of safe firearm handling.
2. Which of the following is one of the NRA’s three fundamental
rules for safe gun handling?
A. Always wear eye protection
, B. Always keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot
C. Always use factory ammunition only
D. Always clean your rifle after use
Correct Answer: B. Always keep your finger off the trigger until ready
to shoot
Rationale: The NRA’s three fundamental rules are: keep the gun
pointed in a safe direction, keep your finger off the trigger until ready
to shoot, and keep the gun unloaded until ready to use. Keeping your
finger off the trigger prevents unintentional firing.
3. What part of a rifle contains the firing mechanism and
ammunition?
A. Barrel
B. Action
C. Stock
D. Sight
Correct Answer: B. Action
Rationale: The action is the working mechanism of the rifle that loads,
fires, and ejects cartridges. It houses many of the critical moving parts
necessary for the firearm to function.
, 4. The long metal tube through which the bullet travels when fired is
called the:
A. Chamber
B. Bolt
C. Barrel
D. Receiver
Correct Answer: C. Barrel
Rationale: The barrel is the component that directs the bullet as it
exits the rifle. Rifling inside the barrel imparts spin to the bullet,
stabilizing it during flight.
5. Rifling inside a barrel consists of:
A. Smooth metal surfaces
B. Grooves and lands that spin the bullet
C. A hollow cavity for ammunition
D. Springs that eject cartridges
Correct Answer: B. Grooves and lands that spin the bullet
, Rationale: Rifling is made of spiral grooves and raised areas called
lands. These features cause the bullet to spin, which increases
accuracy and stability in flight.
6. Which rifle action type uses a manually operated bolt to chamber
and eject cartridges?
A. Pump-action
B. Lever-action
C. Bolt-action
D. Semi-automatic
Correct Answer: C. Bolt-action
Rationale: A bolt-action rifle requires the shooter to manually lift and
pull back the bolt to eject a spent cartridge and push it forward to
chamber a new round. These rifles are known for reliability and
accuracy.
7. Which type of sight is commonly found on most basic rifles?
A. Iron sights
B. Laser sights
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. What is the first rule of safe firearm handling?
A. Always keep the firearm unloaded
B. Always keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot
C. Always keep the gun pointed in a safe direction
D. Always store firearms locked
Correct Answer: C. Always keep the gun pointed in a safe direction
Rationale: The most fundamental rule of firearm safety is to always
keep the firearm pointed in a safe direction. This ensures that even if a
firearm were to discharge unintentionally, it would not cause injury or
damage. The other safety rules are also critical, but maintaining a safe
direction is the foundation of safe firearm handling.
2. Which of the following is one of the NRA’s three fundamental
rules for safe gun handling?
A. Always wear eye protection
, B. Always keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot
C. Always use factory ammunition only
D. Always clean your rifle after use
Correct Answer: B. Always keep your finger off the trigger until ready
to shoot
Rationale: The NRA’s three fundamental rules are: keep the gun
pointed in a safe direction, keep your finger off the trigger until ready
to shoot, and keep the gun unloaded until ready to use. Keeping your
finger off the trigger prevents unintentional firing.
3. What part of a rifle contains the firing mechanism and
ammunition?
A. Barrel
B. Action
C. Stock
D. Sight
Correct Answer: B. Action
Rationale: The action is the working mechanism of the rifle that loads,
fires, and ejects cartridges. It houses many of the critical moving parts
necessary for the firearm to function.
, 4. The long metal tube through which the bullet travels when fired is
called the:
A. Chamber
B. Bolt
C. Barrel
D. Receiver
Correct Answer: C. Barrel
Rationale: The barrel is the component that directs the bullet as it
exits the rifle. Rifling inside the barrel imparts spin to the bullet,
stabilizing it during flight.
5. Rifling inside a barrel consists of:
A. Smooth metal surfaces
B. Grooves and lands that spin the bullet
C. A hollow cavity for ammunition
D. Springs that eject cartridges
Correct Answer: B. Grooves and lands that spin the bullet
, Rationale: Rifling is made of spiral grooves and raised areas called
lands. These features cause the bullet to spin, which increases
accuracy and stability in flight.
6. Which rifle action type uses a manually operated bolt to chamber
and eject cartridges?
A. Pump-action
B. Lever-action
C. Bolt-action
D. Semi-automatic
Correct Answer: C. Bolt-action
Rationale: A bolt-action rifle requires the shooter to manually lift and
pull back the bolt to eject a spent cartridge and push it forward to
chamber a new round. These rifles are known for reliability and
accuracy.
7. Which type of sight is commonly found on most basic rifles?
A. Iron sights
B. Laser sights
