A plural term referring to multiple fully assembled cartridges which are ready to be fired.

A cartridge that does not contain a bullet. However, it does contain powder and a primer. When ignited, a blank cartridge can expel high-pressure gas and potentially cause injury.

A synonym for cartridge case. Most cartridge cases are made of brass.

The projectile discharged from the cartridge of a handgun. Traditionally, these are made of lead, although other materials may be used. Bullets are manufactured in a wide variety of shapes and weights, each designed to have specific characteristics in flight, on impact with the target, and after penetrating the target.

The size of the bullet used in a particular handgun. This is determined by the diameter of the bullet, measured either in millimeters or in hundredths of an inch.

A single fully assembled round of ammunition (a casing containing a primer, a charge of gunpowder, and a bullet; Figure 3 below).

The outer container of a cartridge (often made of brass) that holds the primer, gunpowder, and bullet. As the gunpowder burns, the case expands to seal against the side of the chamber, forcing the expansion of gas down the barrel.

A type of cartridge in which the primer is located in the center of the casing’s base (Figure 3 below). To fire this type of cartridge, the firing pin must impact in the center of the casing’s base.

A mixture of chemical compounds burns rapidly to generate a gas when ignited by the primer. The production of gas dramatically increases the pressure inside the cartridge. Once the pressure reaches a threshold (determined by the way the cartridge is manufactured), the bullet is discharged from the casing. Wide variations exist in the size and shape of gunpowder particles, each providing different performance characteristics.

The metal covering of a lead bullet. Fully jacketed and semi-jacketed bullets have performance characteristics that are different from simple lead bullets.

The ignition component of the cartridge. Impact of the firing pin onto the primer causes it to explode, igniting the gunpowder.

A type of cartridge in which the primer is located along the outer rim of the casing's base. To fire this type of cartridge, the firing pin must impact on this outer rim.