Firearm Competency: Manually Operated Rifle
or Carbine
Unit Standard 119651: Exam-Style Practice Pack with Explained
Answers + Practical Shoot Prep
6 topics of plain-language study notes • exam traps per topic • 60 practice questions (multiple choice,
true/false, fill-in and scenario) • a 30-question mock test • every answer explained • practical-shoot
prep checklist • 14 free "Watch & learn" videos
For South Africans preparing for the manually operated rifle/carbine theory and practical assessments
of the firearm competency course
Independent study aid. This pack is not affiliated with, produced by or endorsed by the South African Police Service
(SAPS), the Central Firearms Register (CFR), the PFTC, SASSETA or any training provider. All notes, questions and
explanations are original and written for practice. They are not copies of any provider's test, manual or question
bank. Quotations from the Firearms Control Act and its Regulations are for study.
It does not replace accredited training. To get a competency certificate you must complete training and the theory
and practical assessments at an accredited training provider. Always follow your instructor, the range rules and the
manufacturer's manual. This pack explains the law as we understand it from the published Act and Regulations
(October 2026). It is not legal advice.
Latest Exam Packs | Independent study aid, not affiliated with SAPS, CFR, PFTC or SASSETA | Page 1
,Contents
• How the manually operated rifle or carbine assessment works
• How to use this pack
• Part 1: Study notes, exam traps, videos and drills (Topics R1 to R6)
• Part 2: Mock test (30 questions)
• Part 3: Mock test answers explained
• Part 4: Practical-shoot prep checklist
• Part 5: Revision sheet
• Things to confirm with your training provider
• Sources
How the manually operated rifle or carbine assessment works
You normally do the manually operated rifle or carbine unit (119651) after the law unit (117705).
Theory: each accredited provider sets its own test against the unit standard, often an open-book
workbook followed by a closed-book test. Providers commonly mix multiple choice, true/false, fill-
in-the-missing-word, "list" and short scenario questions, so this pack practises all of them. Pass
marks are set by the provider (commonly around 80%).
Practical: you show safe handling (muzzle direction, finger off the trigger, loading, unloading and
proving clear of chamber AND magazine, clearing failures to fire, feed and extract, basic inspection
and cleaning, showing the barrel is clear and dry), then shoot. The SAQA range statement for unit
standard 119651 refers to 10 out of 10 shots on an A5-size target from a distance of 10 metres.
The distance may be increased but not decreased, and the target size may not be altered. Because
of excessive recoil, the number of shots may be reduced to 5 for large calibres. Fired unsupported
(no dead rest). Providers usually expect 100%.
Unsafe handling during the practical (e.g. sweeping someone with the muzzle, finger on the trigger)
can fail you even if every shot hits.
How to use this pack
Read the notes for a topic, do the drill without looking, then read every explanation.
For scenario and fill-in questions, write your answer down before reading ours. The model answers
show the points a marker looks for.
Practise the handling drills only under supervision at your provider or an accredited range, with
dummy rounds or snap caps. This pack explains them; it does not replace hands-on training.
Use Part 4 the week before your practical.
Latest Exam Packs | Independent study aid, not affiliated with SAPS, CFR, PFTC or SASSETA | Page 2
, Part 1: Study notes, exam traps, videos and drills
Law references are to the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000 ("s") and its Regulations ("Reg"). Handling
methods differ between models and providers: follow your instructor and your firearm's manual. Videos
are from overseas channels unless noted; where they differ from South African law (e.g. any automatic
fire shown), South African law applies.
Topic R1: The law for rifle owners
Where it sits: Common law; Act s4, s13 to s16, s84, s91, s93, s120; Reg 86
Which licence
A manually operated rifle (bolt, lever, pump/slide, single-shot) is not semi-automatic, so it can be
licensed under s15 (occasional hunting/sport, max 4 s15 licences, or 3 if you hold a s13) or s16
(dedicated), among others.
A rifle can't be licensed under s13 (self-defence). s13 only covers shotguns (not semi/full auto) and
handguns (not full auto). s14 is for semi-auto rifles and shotguns.
Licences under s15 and s16 last 10 years (s27). Ammunition: 200 cartridges per licensed firearm
unless exempt, e.g. dedicated hunters and sports persons (s91); reloaders up to 2,400 primers per
firearm (s93).
Hunting also needs whatever permits provincial conservation laws and the landowner require. The
Firearms Control Act is only part of the picture.
Carrying, storage and use
In public: in a holder (case or bag) designed or adapted for the rifle, completely covered, under
your effective control (s84).
Storage: SABS 953 safe when not under your direct control (Reg 86(1)). Rifles must be stored
unloaded (Reg 86(11)(a)). Bolts may be stored separately in the safe if you choose.
Rifle bullets travel very far: a .22 LR can carry well over a kilometre, and centrefire hunting rounds
several kilometres. Never shoot at a skyline or without a safe backstop.
Private defence requirements apply as for any firearm. A long-range shot at a fleeing person is
never private defence.
Exam traps
Rifle for self-defence: not s13.
Bolt rifle for occasional hunting = s15; dedicated = s16.
No backstop, no shot. Skylined game or targets are off limits.
Watch & learn (free on YouTube)
South African Firearm Licence Q&A: Top Questions Answered by Gunlicence.co.za (Grey Man
Operations): section 13 vs section 16 and other common licensing questions.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_32UviiG7Ts
How to get a firearm licence in South Africa (Gunlicence): a walk-through of the SA licence
application.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRppS6VEZW4
Latest Exam Packs | Independent study aid, not affiliated with SAPS, CFR, PFTC or SASSETA | Page 3
or Carbine
Unit Standard 119651: Exam-Style Practice Pack with Explained
Answers + Practical Shoot Prep
6 topics of plain-language study notes • exam traps per topic • 60 practice questions (multiple choice,
true/false, fill-in and scenario) • a 30-question mock test • every answer explained • practical-shoot
prep checklist • 14 free "Watch & learn" videos
For South Africans preparing for the manually operated rifle/carbine theory and practical assessments
of the firearm competency course
Independent study aid. This pack is not affiliated with, produced by or endorsed by the South African Police Service
(SAPS), the Central Firearms Register (CFR), the PFTC, SASSETA or any training provider. All notes, questions and
explanations are original and written for practice. They are not copies of any provider's test, manual or question
bank. Quotations from the Firearms Control Act and its Regulations are for study.
It does not replace accredited training. To get a competency certificate you must complete training and the theory
and practical assessments at an accredited training provider. Always follow your instructor, the range rules and the
manufacturer's manual. This pack explains the law as we understand it from the published Act and Regulations
(October 2026). It is not legal advice.
Latest Exam Packs | Independent study aid, not affiliated with SAPS, CFR, PFTC or SASSETA | Page 1
,Contents
• How the manually operated rifle or carbine assessment works
• How to use this pack
• Part 1: Study notes, exam traps, videos and drills (Topics R1 to R6)
• Part 2: Mock test (30 questions)
• Part 3: Mock test answers explained
• Part 4: Practical-shoot prep checklist
• Part 5: Revision sheet
• Things to confirm with your training provider
• Sources
How the manually operated rifle or carbine assessment works
You normally do the manually operated rifle or carbine unit (119651) after the law unit (117705).
Theory: each accredited provider sets its own test against the unit standard, often an open-book
workbook followed by a closed-book test. Providers commonly mix multiple choice, true/false, fill-
in-the-missing-word, "list" and short scenario questions, so this pack practises all of them. Pass
marks are set by the provider (commonly around 80%).
Practical: you show safe handling (muzzle direction, finger off the trigger, loading, unloading and
proving clear of chamber AND magazine, clearing failures to fire, feed and extract, basic inspection
and cleaning, showing the barrel is clear and dry), then shoot. The SAQA range statement for unit
standard 119651 refers to 10 out of 10 shots on an A5-size target from a distance of 10 metres.
The distance may be increased but not decreased, and the target size may not be altered. Because
of excessive recoil, the number of shots may be reduced to 5 for large calibres. Fired unsupported
(no dead rest). Providers usually expect 100%.
Unsafe handling during the practical (e.g. sweeping someone with the muzzle, finger on the trigger)
can fail you even if every shot hits.
How to use this pack
Read the notes for a topic, do the drill without looking, then read every explanation.
For scenario and fill-in questions, write your answer down before reading ours. The model answers
show the points a marker looks for.
Practise the handling drills only under supervision at your provider or an accredited range, with
dummy rounds or snap caps. This pack explains them; it does not replace hands-on training.
Use Part 4 the week before your practical.
Latest Exam Packs | Independent study aid, not affiliated with SAPS, CFR, PFTC or SASSETA | Page 2
, Part 1: Study notes, exam traps, videos and drills
Law references are to the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000 ("s") and its Regulations ("Reg"). Handling
methods differ between models and providers: follow your instructor and your firearm's manual. Videos
are from overseas channels unless noted; where they differ from South African law (e.g. any automatic
fire shown), South African law applies.
Topic R1: The law for rifle owners
Where it sits: Common law; Act s4, s13 to s16, s84, s91, s93, s120; Reg 86
Which licence
A manually operated rifle (bolt, lever, pump/slide, single-shot) is not semi-automatic, so it can be
licensed under s15 (occasional hunting/sport, max 4 s15 licences, or 3 if you hold a s13) or s16
(dedicated), among others.
A rifle can't be licensed under s13 (self-defence). s13 only covers shotguns (not semi/full auto) and
handguns (not full auto). s14 is for semi-auto rifles and shotguns.
Licences under s15 and s16 last 10 years (s27). Ammunition: 200 cartridges per licensed firearm
unless exempt, e.g. dedicated hunters and sports persons (s91); reloaders up to 2,400 primers per
firearm (s93).
Hunting also needs whatever permits provincial conservation laws and the landowner require. The
Firearms Control Act is only part of the picture.
Carrying, storage and use
In public: in a holder (case or bag) designed or adapted for the rifle, completely covered, under
your effective control (s84).
Storage: SABS 953 safe when not under your direct control (Reg 86(1)). Rifles must be stored
unloaded (Reg 86(11)(a)). Bolts may be stored separately in the safe if you choose.
Rifle bullets travel very far: a .22 LR can carry well over a kilometre, and centrefire hunting rounds
several kilometres. Never shoot at a skyline or without a safe backstop.
Private defence requirements apply as for any firearm. A long-range shot at a fleeing person is
never private defence.
Exam traps
Rifle for self-defence: not s13.
Bolt rifle for occasional hunting = s15; dedicated = s16.
No backstop, no shot. Skylined game or targets are off limits.
Watch & learn (free on YouTube)
South African Firearm Licence Q&A: Top Questions Answered by Gunlicence.co.za (Grey Man
Operations): section 13 vs section 16 and other common licensing questions.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_32UviiG7Ts
How to get a firearm licence in South Africa (Gunlicence): a walk-through of the SA licence
application.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRppS6VEZW4
Latest Exam Packs | Independent study aid, not affiliated with SAPS, CFR, PFTC or SASSETA | Page 3
