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Gun Glossary - Letter P
Index of Firearm & Gun Terminology

PAIR: Two shots fired quickly.  2. Two clay targets or skeet thrown by the launcher at the same time.

PAN: The part of a Flintlock Rifle that holds the priming charge of black powder.

PARABELLUM: From the Latin meaning "For War".  In gunnery terms, Parabellum is a semiautomatic pistol and cartridge introduced in 1900.  The Parabellum was designed by George Luger, and based on the earlier Borchardt pistol.   The official German military nomenclature was "Pistole '08" or "P 08."  At first, the pistol was chambered for the 7.65mm Parabellum round.   Soon, it was modified to use the 9mm Parabellum cartridge, which is what most people refer to today when  talking about a "9 mm."  Nine (9) millimeter Parabellum ammo is the common "standard" for 9 mm ammunition.  It measures 9x19, and is also called  9mm NATO and just 9mm.

PARALLAX: (Superposed) Occurs in telescopic sights when the primary image of the objective lens does not coincide with the Reticule. In practice, parallax is detected in the scope when, as the viewing eye is moved laterally, the image and the reticules appear to move in relation to each other.

PASSIVE SAFETY DEVICE: A passive safety device is one which automatically engages when the firearm is not in use, without any input from the user, and then automatically disengages to allow the gun to be discharged.    Examples include magazine disconnectors, transfer bars, firing pin blocks, grip safeties and personalized guns.

PATTERN: The distribution of a charge of shot fired from a shotgun.  Generally measured as a percentage of pellets striking inside a 30 inch circle when the shotgun is fired from 40 yards away.  See choke for details and types.

PATCH: A piece of greased cloth used to wrap a round ball used as the bullet in a Muzzle Loading rifle. 2. A piece of lubricated paper wrapped around the bullet in cartridges used in some black powder cartridge rifles.  In either case, the patch fills in space between the bullet and the bore, serves as a gas seal, prevents leading, and  engages the rifling.

PARKERIZING: A matted rust-resistant oxide finish, usually matte or dull gray, or black in color, found on military guns and service pistols.

PC - POLITICALLY CORRECTED: The Politically Corrected Gun Glossary - Click Here

PEEP SIGHT: A type of rear sight used on rifles and shotguns that features a thick-rimmed aperture with a small opening mounted on the firearm's receiver. It is used with a flat topped blade front sight and provides a high degree of accuracy. However, it is difficult to use in dim lighting conditions, especially if an extremely small opening "target" type aperture is used.

PELLET: 1. A single piece of birdshot or buckshot. 2. The bullet fired from an air gun or pellet gun.

PELLET GUN: A rifle or pistol using compressed air or CO2 to propel a skirted pellet as opposed to a spherical BB. Not a firearm.

PELLETS: Small spherical projectiles loaded in shot shells and more often called "shot." Also the skirted projectiles used in pellet guns.

PEPPERBOX: An early form of revolving repeating pistol in which a number of barrels were bored in a circle in a single piece of metal resembling the cylinder of a modern revolver.  Functioning was the same as a revolver, the entire cylinder being revolved to bring successive barrels under the hammer for firing. Though occurring as far back as the 16th century, the pepperbox did not become practical until the advent of the percussion cap in the early 1800's. Pepperboxes were made in a wide variety of sizes and styles, and reached their popularity peak during the percussion period.  Few were made after the advent of practical metallic cartridges.   Both single- and double action pepperboxes were made.  Single barreled revolvers after the 1 840s were more accurate and easier to handle and soon displaced the rather clumsy and muzzle heavy pepperbox.

PERCUSSION CAP: A small cylindrically shaped metal tube that is open on one end and closed on the other.  The percussion cap is partially filled with a chemical, fulminate of mercury a chemical compound which explodes when it is struck.  The open end of the cap is fitted over the "nipple" on the lock of a percussion cap firearm.  The Percussion Cap ignition system was developed in 1805 by the Reverend John Forsyth of Aberdeen Shire. This firing mechanism was a great step in advancement from its predecessors because it does not use an exposed flash pan to begin the ignition process.  Instead, the percussion lock ignition system has a simple tube which leads straight into the chamber of a gun barrel.  The development of the percussion cap greatly reduced lock time and resulted in greater accuracy and in enhanced dependability as the cap system is less likely to fouled or be effected by moisture and weather.

PERCUSSION LOCK:  A firearm lock mechanism using a fulminate of mercury cap as a means of igniting the charge. For additional information on the "Percussion Lock" see the detail box below.

Percussion Lock Firearms   Typical Percussion Lock The key to the Percussion Lock system is the explosive cap which is placed on top of the tube. The cap contains fulminate of mercury, a chemical compound which explodes when it is struck.  This is the same chemical used in paper or plastic caps in a child's cap gun. As illustrated above, when the cap is struck by the hammer, the flames from the exploding fulminate of mercury go down the tube, into the gun barrel, and ignite the powder inside the barrel to propel the bullet.  This firing mechanism provided a major advance in reliability, since the cap was almost certain to explode when struck. This mechanism is almost immune to dampness, though in a rainfall one must still be cautious to avoid getting water in the gun barrel or into the ignition system while loading the weapon. The percussion cap was the key to making reliable rotating-block guns (revolvers) which would fire reliably, and in the early 1800s several manufacturers began producing these multiple-shot side arms in mass quantities. The percussion cap firing mechanism gave an individual soldier a weapon of precision and reliability which was used to devastating effect in the U.S. Civil War.  For information on the history & development of firearm locks  - click here.

PERSONALIZED HANDGUN: a.k.a. Smart Gun - Personalized handguns, are a relatively new type of handgun that prevents anyone, other than an authorized user, from firing the gun.  These personalized handguns are modifications of standard revolvers or pistols in which a magnetic or electronic lock has been built into the grip of the gun. When the owner is not holding the handgun, the passive built-in locking device automatically secures the trigger, preventing the handgun from being fired.  The owner of the personalized weapon wears an identifying magnetic ring or radio transmitter bracelet.  When placed next to the grip of the handgun in the proper orientation, the ring or bracelet unlocks the trigger.  The grip is customized to perfectly fit the owner's hand, allowing for easy alignment of the ring or bracelet.  

PHALANX:  From the Greek for a "Square of Spears".  An ancient defensive formation, where the soldiers would be massed in a large square formation with 12 to 18 foot spears protruding on all sides toward the enemy.   In modern gunnery terms, Phalanx is the name for Close-In-Weapons-System or CIWS employed on American military surface ships.   The Phalanx CIWS typically includes a fire direction radar and an automated high speed, high rate of fire, multi- barreled Gatling style gun.  See below.

PINTLE: A pin or a bolt on which another part pivots. In Gunnery "The pin on which a gun carriage revolves". And a hook or a bolt on the rear of a towing vehicle (Prime Mover) for attaching a mobile field gun or trailer.

PINTLE MOUNT:  A heavy metallic pin or cone used for mounting a heavy machine gun or crew severed weapon on to a tri-pod, bi-pod, fixed mounting system or vehicle mount.

PISTOL: Synonymous with "handgun." A gun that is generally held in one hand.  It may be of the single-shot, multi-barrel, repeating or semi-automatic variety and in current use includes revolvers. Traditionally the term was reserved for a semiautomatic handgun not a revolver.

PISTOL, ACTION:  The working mechanism of the handgun.  This determines the process by which the handgun is cocked, fired, and reloaded. Common types are Single Action, Double Action and Double Action Only.  See the definitions on specific types of handgun actions for more details.

Basic Anatomy of the Semi-Automatic Pistol Cartridge Magazine Grip Trigger Hammer Uncocked Hammer Cocked Firing Pin Chamber Barrel Slide Frame Semi-automatic pistols are handguns which store extra cartridges (1) in a magazine (2) usually located in the grip (3) of the gun.  When the trigger (4) is pulled, the hammer (5-uncocked position) falls from its cocked position (6-phantom), strikes the firing pin (7), which impacts the cartridge in the chamber (8), and discharges the bullet out through the barrel (9). The energy from the discharge causes the slide mechanism (10) to operate, opening the breech and expelling the fired cartridge case. This allows anew cartridge to automatically enter the chamber from the magazine as the slide closes.  These components are all attached to the frame (11). Pistols can be designed with many intrinsic safety features including: A. Loaded Chamber Indicator B. Manual Thumb Safety C. Grip Safety D. Magazine Safety E. Drop Safety (firing pin block) F. Built-in Lock Semi-Automatic Pistol Mechanisms

PISTOL, AUTOMATIC:  The common but improperly used term to describe semi-automatic pistols. See ACTION, SEMI-AUTOMATIC for a description of how these pistols operate.

PISTOL, DOUBLE ACTION:  A pistol mechanism in which a single pull of the trigger cocks and releases the hammer.

PISTOL, SINGLE ACTION:  A pistol mechanism that requires the manual cocking of the hammer before the trigger releases the firing mechanism.

PISTOL GRIP: The handle of a handgun or protrusion on the butt stock or fore-end of a shoulder-operated gun that resembles the grip or handle of a handgun. A "semi-pistol grip" is one less pronounced than normal; a "vertical pistol grip" is more pronounced than normal.

PLINKING: Informal shooting at any of a variety of inanimate targets.  Plinking is the most commonly practiced shooting sport in this country.  Note: Plinking typically refers to casual shooting at pine cones, tin cans, or other such objects for fun and practice.

PLUNGING FIRE:  Plunging Fire is achieved by employing the Heavy Machine Gun (HMG) in an indirect fire mode, similar to artillery.  Because of the long range potential of most HMG's the barrel can be elevated so that the projectiles are highly arched above the line of sight and then plunge downward, impacting on the top of targeted bunkers and fighting positions as well as to the lightly armored roof tops of vehicles, shelters and buildings.  Light Machine Guns (LMG) and Medium Machine Guns (MMG) can not provide Plunging Fire, except when firing from high ground to low ground and when firing into abruptly rising terrain.

POINT BLANK DIAMETER: The diameter of the "must hit" zone of the target.

POLITICALLY CORRECTED: The Politically Corrected Gun Glossary - Click Here.

POLYMER:  Polymers are simply plastics that have many (poly) elements linked together in the molecular chain and are developed in the test tube.  The school answer is: Polymer: a chemical compound or mixture of compounds formed by  polymerization and consisting essentially of repeating structural units.  Also: polymer a chemical compound with high molecular weight consisting of a number of structural units linked together by covalent bonds. The simple molecules that may become structural units are themselves called monomers. A structural unit is a group having two or more bonding sites. In a linear polymer, the monomers are connected in a chain arrangement and thus need only have two bonding sites. When the monomers have three bonding sites, a nonlinear, or branched, polymer results. Naturally occurring polymers include CELLULOSE, PROTEINS, natural RUBBER, and SILK; those synthesized in the laboratory have led to such commercially important products as PLASTICS, synthetic fibers, and synthetic rubber. 

POLYMER FRAME:  A modern handgun frame or receiver made of polymer or plastic.  The polymers used in modern handgun frames and receivers typically consist of high strength synthetic fibers that are mixed with hard but forgiving plastics. The combination of the materials is a little different for each manufacturer and the exact recipe is a trade secret. The key is to get a material that is of low weight and high strength, without becoming brittle. Also reduced machining time and therefore a reduced manufacturing cost.  Polymer frames actually give a little under recoil and this helps to dissipate and absorb some of the perceived recoil.  Many of the polymer framed handguns also have some steel components in them. The newer FN models actually have a serviceable or replaceable steel guide rails that can be changed after several 10's of thousand rounds.

POPE RIB: A rib integral with the barrel.   Designed by Harry M. Pope, famed barrel maker and shooter, the rib made it possible to mount a target scope low over the barrel.

PORT: The word port as it relates to Firearms has many uses and definitions. In most cases the term port refers to an opening or vent manufacturered into the firearm.  Additional uses are below. 

Barrel Port: The openings or vents cut or machined into the muzzle end of a barrel to allow gas to escape and to reduce perceived recoil. Also called Barrel Porting and Ported Barrel.

Cylinder Port: Openings in the cylinder face or frame of a revolver for the passage of loaded ammunition and removal of expended cartridges.

Ejection Port: Opening where expended cartridges and shells are removed from the action or magazine.

Firing Port: A hole in an armored vehicle or a fortified structure for observation or for firing weapons. 

Loading Port: An opening in a firearm for the insertion of ammunition into the magazine, chamber, breech or cylinder. 

Magna Port: A commercial porting process where ports are burned into the muzzle of a firearm.  The Porting is designed to reduce felt recoil and muzzle lift on all types of firearms. More information about Magna-Port and Magna-Break is at URL: http://www.magnaport.com.

Muzzle Port: The openings or vents cut or machined into the muzzle end of a barrel to allow gas to escape and to reduce perceived recoil. 

Observation Port:  

PORT ARMS:  

PORT ARTHUR INCIDENT:  

PORT SIAD: 

PORTED: 

PORTED BARREL: 

PORTED CHAMBER:  

PORTED & POLISHED: 

POSITIVE PRESSURE: Force exerted on the trigger that is uninterrupted and constantly increasing when applied by the pad of the trigger finger in an effort to fire a shot. This pressure is initiated by the presence of a satisfactory minimum arc of movement in conjunction with perfect sight alignment, not perfect sight picture. A perfect sight picture is the absence of movement combined with perfect sight alignment.

POSITION: of a pistol shooter is the relationship of the shooter's body to the target. Proper or natural positioning of the shooter's body points the shooting arm directly at the target center without deviation.

POWDER: The propellant used in most firearms. It produces a large volume of gas when ignited. There are two basic types--smokeless and black powder. Note: Modern ammunition uses a variety of granular propellant that is very sophisticated in nature. You cannot readily interchange terms like powder, gunpowder, or black powder. Unless you take up reloading or black powder firearms you will never have to worry about interacting with powder. Be sure to read manuals and get qualified instruction before doing ANYTHING with any form of powder, just as you would with any other highly flammable substance.

POWDER, BLACK:  The earliest type of propellant, allegedly made by the Chinese or Hindus. First used for firearms in the 13th century, it is a mechanical mixture of potassium or sodium nitrate, charcoal, and sulfur. It makes a large cloud of smoke when fired.

POWDER FUNNEL: A helpful accessory that facilitates transfer of powder.

POWDER MEASURE: An adjustable volumetric measure that lets out uniform charges of powder.

POWDER SCALE: A device used to weigh charges of powder.

POWDER, SMOKELESS:  A modern propellant containing mainly nitrocellulose or both nitrocellulose and nitroglycerin. Relatively little smoke is created when fired.

POWER FACTOR:  Formula for determining points scored and category of competition in IPSC Action Shooting competition.  Major Power Factor is scored higher than minor power factor on all B - C and D zone hits on the target.  To determine the IPSC power factor use: Weight x Velocity ÷ 1000.

POWER FLOOR:  A minimum allowable power factor.   IDPA has a power floor of 125,000 calculated as bullet weight (grains) x velocity (feet per second).  This is equivalent to the minor power floor of 125 in IPSC.    IDPA does not divide by 1000 for the calculation.

PPK: Walther's Pistol Police Kriminal.

PRE-BAN: 

PRESSURE: Force per unit area, measured in interior ballistics terms of pounds per square inch. The force exerted by a burning charge of powder in the chamber of a firearm. Expressed normally in pounds per square inch.

PRIMER: A small metal cap containing the detonating mixture which is used to ignite the propellant charge. The ignition component of a cartridge, generally made up of a metallic fulminate or (currently) lead styphnate.   The primer is the tiny nub in the center of most ammunition (or along the rim of .22-caliber ammunition). When struck it will cause a small spark inside the cartridge, igniting the powder and firing the bullet.

PRIMER POCKET: The cavity in the base of a cartridge which receives and supports the primer.

PRISM: A solid figure of optical glass whose bases or ends have the same size and shape and are parallel to one another, and each of whose sides is a parallelogram. A transparent body of this form, often of glass and usually with triangular ends, used for separating white light passed through it into a spectrum or for reflecting beams of light.

PRISM SIGHT:  An optical instrument or "Scope" that uses a prism for optical clarity and differential range finding. Also used for spectrographic analysis. Differential Range Finding is made possible by a looking or sighting through different widths of the prism and comparing the distance from two know points.

PRISMATIC SIGHTING SYSTEM:  Prismatic Sighting System are used in range finding equipment and inclinometers. The typical Prismatic Sighting System has a clear, open to light, parallax-free prismatic magnification system on top of an aluminum or metal housing, making it extremely easy to obtain accurate range and distance readings even in dark conditions. The Silva Combi Compass uses a prismatic sighting system that is extraordinarily accurate

PROJECTILE: A ball, shot or bullet fired from a firearm. The projectile is typically a metallic object, like a bullet or a contact or proximity fused artillery shell or mortar shell, that is "Propelled" down range by the ignition of the gun powder or "propellant".   

PROOF MARK: A stamped or engraved symbol.   Proof marks are usually applied to all parts actually tested, but normally appear on the barrel (and possibly frame), usually indicating the country of origin and circa of proof (especially on European firearms). In the U.S., there is no federalized or government proof house, only the manufacturer's in-house proof mark indicating that a firearm has passed its internal quality control standards per government specifications.

PROOF MARK:  On European guns, is quite specific, indicating proof house and all proofs performed, sometimes also date of proof.   Proof marks are applied to all parts actually tested, usually on the barrel, and that in the white that is, not blued, and without sights. In the U.S., there is no federalized or government proof house, only the manufacturer's in-house proof mark indicating that a firearm has passed their internal quality control standards per government specifications.

PROPELLANT: In a firearm the chemical composition that is ignited by the primer to generate rapidly expanding gasses. In most firearms, the propellant is typically a form of "Gun Powder" or in primitive arms a variant of "Black Powder". In air guns or pellet guns, the propellant is typically compressed air or CO2.

PUMP GUN: Common name for a slide action repeating firearm.  As in a "Pump Shotgun".

PUMP SHOTGUN - PUMP ACTION SHOTGUN: A slide action shotgun.  The type of "Action" typical of a shotgun,  where the action is cocked, cycled and unlocked with the cartridges or shells being loaded and ejected by way of sliding or "pumping" the Fore-End Grip from its forward (locked) position to its rear most (unlocked) position. See illustration below.