New to the conversation? Start here. Decode the abbreviations in a listing, catch the joke on a shirt, and understand the paperwork and gear talk without pretending you already know it all.
Updated September 10, 2026 · 166 terms · Educational information only, not legal advice.
Examples are written for this guide, not quoted from members. Slang varies by context, and some labels are insults; they are marked. California entries explain the terminology only. The linked official sources carry the current transaction and licensing requirements.
Browse by topic
Forum slang & in-jokes 28 Buying & selling 19 California paperwork 21 Federal terms & acronyms 10 Range commands & marksmanship 26 Optics & sights 12 Firearm types & parts 23 Carry & gear 10 Ammunition & common mix-ups 17
Every term has its own link. Copy the address after clicking a term title to send someone straight to it.
A to Z index of every term
1-in-30 · 10-day wait · 10-round limit / standard capacity · 2A · 4473 · Action · Aftermarket · AIWB · Ammo eligibility check · ATF · Automatic / select-fire · Ball / match / reloads / factory · Barrel / bore / rifling · Benchrest · Berm / backstop · Birdshot / buckshot / slug · BNIB · Boating accident · Bolt / bolt carrier · Bolt / lever / pump action · Booger hook / bang switch · Brass · Brass goblin · Break action / single-shot · Bruen / Heller · Bubba · BUIS · Bulk / spam can · Bump · Buy both · Buy once, cry once · C&R · Caliber · Carbine · Cartridge / round · CCW · Cease fire · CFARS · Chamber · Clip · CLP · Co-witness · COE · Curio & relic report · DGU · Dialed in · DM / PM · DOJ / BOF · Downrange · DROS · Dry fire · Dud · EDC · Extractor / ejector · Eye relief · Eyes and ears · Featureless / fixed mag · FFL · FFL03 / Type 03 · Fin grip / paddle · Firing line · Firm · Flagging / sweeping · Flinch · Flyer / flier · FMJ · Follow-through · Freedom seeds · FSC · FTE · FTF · Fudd · Fundamentals · Gauge · Glass · Grail gun · Grain / gr · Group · Gucci · Gun jail · Hangfire · Holster · Hot range / cold range · I know what I got · Irons / iron sights · IWB · JHP · Kaboom / KB · LGS · LNIB · Lowball · LPVO · LTC / permit · Magazine / mag · Make ready · Mall ninja · MIL / MRAD · Milsurp · MOA · MSR · MSRP vs. street price · Muzzle · Muzzle device · Muzzle discipline · New shooter smile · NFA · NIB · NICS · NOS · OBO · OC / open carry · OEM · Off roster · OWB · +P · Pew / pew-pew · Pistol · Plastic fantastic · Plinking · POA / POI · PPT · Price drop · Primer / centerfire / rimfire · Printing · Rabbit hole · Race gun · Rail · Range bag · Range toy · Receiver / frame · Red dot / RDS · Reticle · Revolver · RO · Roster · Round count · RSO · SAF / FPC / NRA / CRPA · Safe handling demonstration (SHD) · Safe queen · Safety · SB 2 · Scope · Semi-automatic · Send it · Sight picture / sight alignment · Sleeper · Slide · SPF · Squib · Standby · Steel case vs. brass case · Stock / grip / forend · Striker-fired / hammer-fired · Transfer dealer · Trigger control · Trigger guard · Truck gun · Two weeks · Unload and show clear · Wall hanger · Wheelgun · WTB · WTS · WTT · Zero
Topic 01 · 28 terms
Forum slang & in-jokes
Catch the joke before you repeat it.
Boating accident
An internet joke claiming someone’s firearms were lost in a boating mishap, usually as a tongue-in-cheek response to questions about their collection. Context distinguishes the meme from a real loss report.
“Apparently everyone’s collection went boating on the same weekend.”
Booger hook / bang switch
Your trigger finger and the trigger, from the standing reminder to keep the first off the second until you mean to shoot.
“Booger hook off the bang switch.”
Brass goblin
A joking name for an enthusiastic collector of spent cartridge cases. It can be affectionate self-mockery or criticism of someone grabbing other people’s brass without asking.
“The brass goblin spotted a case everyone else missed.”
Bubba
A teasing or critical label for crude amateur modifications, especially changes that damage a collectible firearm’s condition or value. It describes the work or stereotype, not a skill credential.
“That stock has had the Bubba treatment.”
Buy both
The forum’s predictably expensive answer to a question asking which of two items to choose.
“I asked which one to buy. The forum said both.”
Buy once, cry once
The idea that buying a quality item upfront can hurt less than repeatedly replacing cheaper alternatives. Usually offered just as someone’s budget is about to increase.
“Buy once, cry once. Then stop looking at upgrades.”
Dialed in
Sighted in and running exactly right. Said of an optic, a load, or a whole setup.
“After two boxes the load is dialed in.”
Fudd
A derogatory label for someone perceived as dismissive of newer firearms, shooting styles, or other owners’ interests. Usage varies; it is an insult, not a neutral term for an older shooter or hunter.
“Calling someone a Fudd usually starts an argument rather than ending one.”
Grail gun
The rare one a collector has hunted for years. Collector talk, usually with a story attached.
“Found my grail gun at an estate sale.”
Gucci
Slang for conspicuously expensive or heavily accessorized gear. Depending on the speaker, it can mean premium, flashy, or more elaborate than necessary.
“That started as a budget build and ended up Gucci.”
Gun jail
A joking name for the period when a purchased firearm remains with a dealer awaiting lawful release. The phrase is about waiting, not an actual criminal penalty.
“Still in gun jail. Already shopping for a case.”
I know what I got
A seller’s declaration that their asking price is justified. Used jokingly when the price seems far more confident than the market.
“The listing has been up for months, but he knows what he’s got.”
Kaboom / KB
A catastrophic failure of a firearm, often traced to ammunition or an obstructed barrel. The reason squib checks exist.
“Post the pictures, then explain the kaboom.”
Mall ninja
A teasing label for someone with every tactical accessory and no training. It is an insult, not a gear review.
“Full mall ninja loadout for a plinking day.”
New shooter smile
The grin after someone’s first range trip. The community’s favorite photo.
“Took my cousin out. New shooter smile achieved.”
Pew / pew-pew
Shooting, from the sound effect. Also used for the hobby as a whole.
“Living the pew-pew life this weekend.”
Plastic fantastic
A modern polymer-framed pistol. Half compliment, half tease, depending on who is talking.
“Another plastic fantastic in the safe.”
Rabbit hole
A hobby interest that keeps expanding into more research, accessories, purchases, and opinions.
“I looked up one optic and fell down the rabbit hole.”
Race gun
A competition firearm tuned for speed: lightened trigger, optic, compensator, oversized controls.
“That’s a race gun, not a carry gun.”
Range toy
Informal shorthand for a firearm owned mainly for recreational shooting. The nickname describes its role in a collection; it does not mean it is literally a toy.
“It’s my range toy, not my daily carry.”
Safe queen
A firearm kept mostly in storage rather than regularly used. It may be collectible, sentimental, or simply too nice for its owner to want to scratch.
“It’s a safe queen; the range gun gets the mileage.”
Sleeper
An underrated firearm that performs beyond its reputation or price.
“The old service pistol is the sleeper of the collection.”
Truck gun
An inexpensive, rugged firearm someone keeps for utility rather than pride of ownership. The nickname says nothing about how it is stored or transported, which has its own rules.
“It’s the truck gun. It has never seen a cleaning kit.”
Two weeks
Sometimes a running joke about a long-awaited announcement or decision being just around the corner. It can also mean an ordinary two-week period; the surrounding conversation matters.
“Any update? Two weeks. Again.”
Wall hanger
A firearm kept for display, often one that should not be fired at all. A condition warning as much as a nickname.
“Sold as a wall hanger; have it checked before you shoot it.”
Topic 02 · 19 terms
Buying & selling
What the abbreviations in a classifieds listing actually promise, and what they do not.
BNIB
Brand new in box. A seller’s condition description, not independent verification that the item is unused or complete.
“BNIB; original packaging included.”
Bump
A reply intended to bring attention back to a listing or discussion. Whether it moves the thread upward, and how often it is allowed, depends on the site’s rules.
“Bump — still available.”
DM / PM
Direct message or private message. A request to continue the conversation outside the public thread.
“PM sent about the listing.”
Firm
The seller is presenting the asking price as non-negotiable.
“$400 firm means the seller is not inviting lower offers.”
FTF
In listings, usually face to face: meeting in person. In a malfunction discussion it can instead mean failure to feed or failure to fire. Spell it out when context is unclear; an in-person meeting does not itself establish transfer requirements.
“FTF preferred means something different from three FTFs at the range.”
LGS
Local gun shop. Community shorthand for a nearby firearms retailer.
“Check whether your LGS has one to look at.”
LNIB
Like new in box. An item described as close to new condition, with its box. It is not the same claim as factory-new.
“LNIB, with the original case.”
Lowball
An offer the seller considers unreasonably below the asking price or value. There is no universal percentage that turns negotiation into a lowball.
“One person’s reasonable offer is another person’s lowball.”
MSRP vs. street price
The manufacturer’s suggested retail price against what the item actually sells for. Deals threads quote the second; listings sometimes anchor on the first.
“MSRP is a suggestion. Street price is the market.”
NIB
New in box. Often used similarly to BNIB; confirm what the seller means about use, handling, and included contents.
“NIB does not tell you which accessories are included.”
NOS
New old stock: older inventory described as unused. Age and storage history can still matter to its condition.
“NOS means old inventory, not necessarily a new production run.”
OBO
Or best offer. The seller is willing to consider offers; it does not promise acceptance of the first or lowest one.
“$400 OBO invites a conversation about price.”
Price drop
The asking price has been reduced. Read the current listing rather than relying on an older quoted price.
“Price drop — the updated amount is in the first post.”
Round count
The reported number of rounds fired through a firearm or component. It is usually an estimate supplied by the owner, not a standardized condition grade.
“Low round count is a claim to clarify, not a complete condition report.”
SPF
Sold pending funds. A deal is arranged, but the seller is still waiting for payment to complete it.
“SPF; I’ll update the listing when payment is complete.”
Transfer dealer
The licensed dealer who processes a transfer between two private parties. In California a private sale still runs through one; see PPT.
“Pick a transfer dealer close to both of you.”
WTB
Want to buy. The poster is looking for an item rather than offering one for sale.
“WTB: the original factory case.”
WTT
Want to trade. The poster is interested in exchanging items, sometimes with money added to balance the deal.
“WTT for a different size.”
Topic 03 · 21 terms
California paperwork
Labels for the documents and lists behind most gun-counter questions. Definitions only; the linked official sources carry the current rules.
1-in-30
The former one-firearm-per-30-days purchase limit. Still referenced in older threads and listings.
“Old thread. 1-in-30 is no longer the question.”
10-day wait
Shorthand for California’s waiting period between a dealer transaction and pickup. Whether an exemption applies to a particular person or firearm is a question for the official source, not the nickname.
“Still on the 10-day wait, so gun jail for another week.”
10-round limit / standard capacity
California’s magazine capacity limit, against the larger factory capacity many magazines ship with elsewhere. Forum arguments over the wording are as old as the limit. Its court history is tracked in Legal updates.
“Ten-rounders only in the classifieds.”
Ammo eligibility check
The point-of-sale check on ammunition purchases in California. Its litigation has moved several times; check the tracker rather than a dated forum post.
“The ammo check took longer than the purchase.”
C&R
Curio and relic: a federal classification for qualifying firearms of collector interest. It is a legal category, not simply a synonym for used or old.
“C&R comes up often in collector discussions.”
CCW
Common shorthand for carrying a concealed weapon and, in California discussions, a concealed-carry license. The license and its conditions are distinct from the shorthand.
“The CCW section has discussions about licensing and carry gear.”
CFARS
California Firearms Application Reporting System, the California Department of Justice’s online system for certain firearms-related applications and reports.
“Check the application in CFARS.”
COE
Certificate of Eligibility. California DOJ documentation that its records check found the person was not prohibited at the time of that check. It is different from an FSC or an FFL.
“COE, FSC, and FFL refer to different documents.”
Curio & relic report
The report a California collector files through CFARS after acquiring a curio or relic firearm from out of state. A CFARS task, not a separate license.
“Filed the C&R report the day it arrived.”
DOJ / BOF
The California Department of Justice and its Bureau of Firearms, the state regulator behind DROS, the roster, COEs and the FSC.
“Check the DOJ page before trusting a forum answer.”
DROS
Dealer’s Record of Sale. California’s term for a dealer-submitted firearms transaction record and the associated process. People also use it as a verb: to DROS a purchase.
“The dealer submitted the DROS.”
Featureless / fixed mag
The two configurations people build semi-automatic rifles to in California: without the listed features, or with a magazine that cannot be removed without disassembly. Which parts count is defined by the DOJ, and build threads argue about the edges constantly.
“Is this fin grip enough to stay featureless?”
FFL
Federal firearms license, or the person or business holding it. License types differ; forum users often say my FFL when they mean their transfer dealer.
“Ask which dealer the seller intends to use.”
FFL03 / Type 03
The federal collector’s license for qualifying curios and relics. It is distinct from a dealer’s license and is not a general license to conduct a firearms business.
“Collectors often discuss an FFL03 alongside a California COE.”
Fin grip / paddle
Grip accessories used on featureless builds. You will see them on California rifles and almost nowhere else.
“The paddle looks odd until you know why it is there.”
FSC
Firearm Safety Certificate. California’s certificate associated with its firearms safety test. It is not a concealed-carry license; requirements and exemptions are separate questions.
“FSC is the safety certificate, not the carry permit.”
Off roster
A handgun model or configuration not on California’s current Roster of Handguns Certified for Sale. The phrase alone does not establish whether a particular possession or transfer is lawful.
“Off roster describes roster status, not a complete legal answer.”
PPT
Private party transfer. In California firearm discussions, this refers to a dealer-processed transfer between private parties under applicable rules; it is not shorthand for skipping the dealer.
“They arranged a PPT through a dealer.”
Roster
Usually California’s Roster of Handguns Certified for Sale. Exact model details and current listing status matter; the roster is not a list of every firearm a person may legally possess.
“Is that exact model on the roster?”
Safe handling demonstration (SHD)
The in-store demonstration of loading and unloading a handgun that the dealer records at pickup.
“They walk you through the SHD at the counter.”
SB 2
The 2023 carry law that rewrote CCW licensing and the list of sensitive places. When someone cites SB 2 they usually mean the carry rules and the litigation around them.
“Which parts of SB 2 are in effect right now?”
Topic 04 · 10 terms
Federal terms & acronyms
The federal forms, agencies and cases people cite as if everyone already knows them.
4473
ATF Form 4473, the firearms transaction record filled out at a dealer for every transfer.
“You fill out the 4473 and the dealer runs the check.”
ATF
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the federal regulator that licenses dealers and administers the NFA.
“ATF ruling threads move fast and age badly.”
Bruen / Heller
The two Supreme Court decisions (2008 and 2022) cited in nearly every Second Amendment case. Heller recognized an individual right; Bruen set the history-and-tradition test courts now apply.
“Post-Bruen, the analysis changed.”
DGU
Defensive gun use. A statistics term that shows up in policy arguments.
“The DGU numbers depend entirely on the study.”
LTC / permit
License to carry. What other states call the concealed-carry license California calls a CCW.
“Texas LTC, California CCW, same idea.”
NFA
The National Firearms Act of 1934, the federal law that registers and taxes machine guns, suppressors and short-barreled rifles and shotguns. California adds its own restrictions on top.
“It is an NFA item federally and a separate question in California.”
NICS
The FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System. California runs its own check through DROS as the point of contact.
“NICS is federal; DROS is the California layer.”
OC / open carry
Carrying a firearm visibly. Rules differ sharply by state; California’s are covered in Legal updates rather than assumed here.
“OC threads always turn into court threads.”
SAF / FPC / NRA / CRPA
Second Amendment Foundation, Firearms Policy Coalition, National Rifle Association and California Rifle & Pistol Association: the advocacy groups whose names sit on the case captions in Legal updates.
“CRPA filed; FPC joined.”
Topic 05 · 26 terms
Range commands & marksmanship
When you hear a command, act first and ask afterwards.
Benchrest
Shooting from a bench with supports; also the name of precision-shooting disciplines. A casual mention does not necessarily refer to a formal competition.
“Was that group shot standing or from a benchrest?”
Berm / backstop
The earth bank or barrier that safely stops bullets.
“Keep every shot into the berm.”
Cease fire
A command to stop firing. Range staff’s instructions govern what happens next; the command is not merely a suggestion to slow down.
“The range officer called cease fire.”
Downrange
The direction of the targets, where the bullets go. People and muzzles never meet there.
“Nobody goes downrange until the range is cold.”
Dry fire
Practicing with a verified-empty firearm. Verify, then verify again; the safety course covers the routine.
“Ten minutes of dry fire a night.”
Eyes and ears
Eye and hearing protection. Eyes and ears on means put them on now.
“Eyes and ears before you touch anything.”
Flagging / sweeping
Letting your muzzle cross a person. The fastest way to be asked to leave a range.
“He flagged the whole line turning around.”
Flinch
Pushing the gun just before it fires in anticipation of recoil. The most common accuracy problem there is.
“Dry fire cures most of the flinch.”
Flyer / flier
A shot landing noticeably outside the main group. Calling it a flyer does not establish what caused it or automatically justify excluding it from a result.
“Four together and one flyer.”
Follow-through
Holding the sights on target and the trigger back through the shot before resetting.
“Call the shot, then follow through.”
Fundamentals
The perennial checklist: stance, grip, sight alignment, sight picture, breathing, trigger control, follow-through.
“Back to fundamentals.”
Group
The pattern or cluster formed by several shots on a target. Group size describes how tightly they cluster; that is different from how close the cluster is to the intended point.
“A tight group can still be off-center.”
Hangfire
A cartridge that fires a moment after the trigger pull. The reason to keep the muzzle downrange for a while after any click without a bang.
“Click. Count to thirty. Then clear it.”
Hot range / cold range
Hot: live fire is authorized and everyone stays behind the firing line. Cold: all shooting has stopped, firearms are unloaded with actions open and untouched while people go downrange.
“Range is cold. Hands off the benches.”
Make ready
A competition command to load and prepare to shoot the course of fire. Often phrased load and make ready.
“Shooter, make ready.”
Muzzle discipline
The unbroken habit of keeping the muzzle pointed somewhere safe.
“Good muzzle discipline is invisible; bad muzzle discipline gets noticed instantly.”
Plinking
Informal recreational target shooting, usually with enjoyment rather than formal scoring as the main goal.
“A relaxed afternoon of plinking.”
POA / POI
Point of aim and point of impact: where you aimed against where the bullet landed. A correct zero makes them match at a chosen distance.
“POI is two inches low at 25.”
RO
Range officer, the person running a range or a competition stage. See RSO.
“Ask the RO before handling anything at the bench.”
RSO
Range safety officer: a person overseeing range safety and procedures. The title and specific duties depend on the facility or event.
“Check with the RSO if an instruction is unclear.”
Sight picture / sight alignment
Alignment is the front and rear sight lined up with each other; the picture is that alignment placed on the target.
“Same sight picture every shot.”
Squib
A weak round that may leave a bullet lodged in the barrel. A soft pop means stop and check the bore before firing again.
“Sounded like a squib, so I stopped and checked.”
Standby
The signal that firing is about to begin, usually followed by a beep or whistle. Also the punchline on a certain CAguns tee.
“Are you ready? Standby.”
Trigger control
Pressing the trigger straight back without disturbing the sights. The heart of accuracy.
“Group opened up. Trigger control, not the gun.”
Unload and show clear
Remove the magazine, eject the chambered round, and show the empty chamber to the range officer.
“If you are finished, unload and show clear.”
Topic 06 · 12 terms
Optics & sights
How people describe what they see through the sight.
Co-witness
An arrangement in which iron sights can be seen through an optic’s viewing window. Different arrangements place the irons at different heights in that view.
“Co-witness describes the view through the optic.”
Eye relief
The distance between the eye and an optic’s eyepiece at which the intended sight picture is visible.
“This optic has a different eye-relief requirement.”
Glass
Optics, especially magnified ones. Good glass costs money is the forum’s shortest optics review.
“The rifle is fine; the glass needs an upgrade.”
Irons / iron sights
Conventional physical sights, as distinct from an optical sight. The nickname is used even when the sight components are not made of iron.
“Are you using irons or a dot?”
LPVO
Low-power variable optic. A riflescope with adjustable magnification starting at or near 1× and extending to a higher setting.
“LPVO names a category of optic, not a particular model.”
MIL / MRAD
Milliradian, an angular unit used in optics. In this context mil does not mean millimeter; one milliradian spans one unit across at 1,000 units of distance.
“MIL and MOA are different angular systems.”
MOA
Minute of angle, equal to one-sixtieth of a degree. At 100 yards, one MOA spans about 1.047 inches. It is an angle, so the corresponding width changes with distance.
“MOA is not a fixed number of inches at every distance.”
Red dot / RDS
A sight that presents an illuminated aiming mark through its viewing window. Red dot is also used loosely for similar sights with another dot color; it is not a laser spot projected onto the target.
“A green aiming dot may still get called a red dot.”
Reticle
The aiming pattern seen in an optic, such as a dot, crosshair, circle, or set of reference marks.
“The reticle is the pattern, not the whole sight.”
Scope
A magnified optic. Variable scopes are named by their magnification range and objective size, such as 3-9×40.
“A 3-9 scope covers most hunting distances.”
Zero
The established relationship between a sight’s aiming point and the expected bullet impact at a stated distance and setup. In forum talk, zero can be a noun or a verb.
“What distance is that zero for?”
Topic 07 · 23 terms
Firearm types & parts
Enough anatomy to ask a good question at the counter.
Action
The mechanism that loads, fires and ejects. Most firearm categories are named after it.
“What action is it? Bolt.”
Automatic / select-fire
Fires continuously while the trigger is held. Heavily restricted federally under the NFA. Not what assault weapon means in California law, which is a separate, feature-based definition.
“It is semi-auto, not select-fire, whatever the news said.”
Barrel / bore / rifling
The tube the bullet travels, its interior, and the spiral grooves that spin the bullet for stability.
“Check the bore for obstructions after a squib.”
Bolt / bolt carrier
The part that feeds, locks and extracts in rifles and some pistols. On an AR it lives inside the bolt carrier group.
“Clean the bolt carrier before the range trip.”
Bolt / lever / pump action
Manually cycled actions: lift and pull a bolt handle, work a lever, or slide the forend. The classic hunting rifle, the cowboy gun, and the shotgun sound, respectively.
“A pump for the field, a bolt for the bench.”
Break action / single-shot
Hinges open to load one or two rounds directly. No magazine.
“A break-action single shot is the simplest gun in the safe.”
Carbine
A compact, shorter-barreled rifle. Length thresholds have legal meaning, so the nickname is not a classification.
“A pistol-caliber carbine for the range.”
Chamber
Where a cartridge sits when it is ready to fire. Checking the chamber means looking here, every time.
“Clear the chamber before you hand it over.”
Extractor / ejector
The parts that pull the spent case from the chamber and throw it clear. When either fails you get an FTE.
“Worn extractor, so the FTEs made sense.”
Milsurp
Military surplus: equipment or firearms that came from military stocks. The abbreviation says nothing by itself about current condition.
“Milsurp collecting became its own rabbit hole.”
MSR
Modern sporting rifle, the industry term for AR-pattern and similar semi-automatic rifles.
“The MSR aisle is the busy one.”
Muzzle
The end of the barrel the bullet exits. The end that never points at people.
“Muzzle downrange, always.”
Muzzle device
A brake, compensator or flash hider threaded onto the muzzle to manage recoil or flash. Which ones count as a feature in California is a DOJ question.
“Swapped the flash hider for a brake to stay featureless.”
Pistol
In modern usage, a handgun whose chamber is part of the barrel, which is most semi-automatics. Often used loosely for any handgun.
“Pistol or revolver? Pistol.”
Rail
A standardized mounting surface for optics, lights and accessories. Picatinny is the ladder of slots; M-LOK is the slotted keyhole system.
“Any Picatinny mount fits the top rail.”
Receiver / frame
The core housing of the firearm. Legally this part usually is the firearm, because it carries the serial number.
“The receiver is the serialized part; everything else is parts.”
Revolver
A handgun whose rounds sit in a rotating cylinder. Single action means the hammer is cocked by hand first; double action means the trigger does both.
“A double-action revolver has a long, heavy first pull.”
Safety
A mechanical switch that blocks firing. Useful, and never a substitute for the safety rules.
“Safety on is not the same as unloaded.”
Semi-automatic
One shot per trigger pull, with the action cycling the next round itself. Most modern pistols and many rifles.
“Semi-auto only; nothing here is select-fire.”
Slide
On a semi-automatic pistol, the reciprocating upper assembly you rack to chamber a round.
“Rack the slide to chamber-check.”
Stock / grip / forend
The parts you hold. On a rifle the buttstock meets your shoulder; the forend is the front handhold.
“Adjustable stock, new grip, same forend.”
Striker-fired / hammer-fired
Whether the firing pin is driven by an internal striker, as in most polymer pistols, or by an external hammer, as in a 1911.
“Striker-fired means no hammer to thumb back.”
Trigger guard
The loop protecting the trigger. Your finger rests on the frame above it, not inside, until you mean to fire.
“Finger indexed along the frame, outside the trigger guard.”
Topic 08 · 10 terms
Carry & gear
Where the holster sits and what the gear talk means.
Aftermarket
Made or offered outside the original manufacturer’s standard product or parts line. The term does not by itself establish compatibility or quality.
“An aftermarket holster, rather than the factory accessory.”
AIWB
Appendix inside the waistband. A carry-position abbreviation describing an inside-waistband holster worn toward the front of the body.
“AIWB is a position abbreviation, not a holster brand.”
CLP
Cleaner, lubricant, protectant: a product meant to do all three jobs on metal surfaces. The abbreviation names the category, not a brand.
“A CLP wipe in the range bag covers the basics.”
EDC
Everyday carry: the items someone routinely carries, such as keys, a wallet, light, or other personal gear. The term is broader than firearms.
“What’s in your EDC today?”
Holster
A purpose-made holder for carrying or retaining a handgun. Fit and intended use vary by handgun, accessories, and holster design.
“The drawer of holsters started with just one.”
IWB
Inside the waistband. Describes a holster worn inside the trousers’ waistband.
“IWB and OWB describe where the holster sits.”
OEM
Original equipment manufacturer. In parts discussions, usually means the original manufacturer’s part rather than an aftermarket replacement.
“It comes with the OEM parts.”
OWB
Outside the waistband. Describes a holster worn outside the trousers’ waistband.
“OWB refers to placement, not whether something is legally concealed.”
Printing
In concealed-carry discussions, the outline of the firearm or holster showing through clothing. Elsewhere, it may simply refer to printing a document or making a part.
“That shirt shows more printing when I sit down.”
Range bag
The bag that carries ammunition, eyes and ears, targets, tools and cleaning supplies to the range. Everyone’s is overpacked.
“The range bag weighs more than the rifle.”
Topic 09 · 17 terms
Ammunition & common mix-ups
Reading an ammunition box, and the two words everyone gets corrected on.
Ball / match / reloads / factory
Ball is military-style full metal jacket; match is precision-grade; reloads are home-assembled; factory is new retail production. Listings use all four.
“Factory ammo only, no reloads.”
Birdshot / buckshot / slug
Shotgun loads: many tiny pellets, fewer large pellets, or one large projectile.
“Birdshot for clays, buckshot or slugs for anything serious.”
Brass
Often shorthand for cartridge cases, especially fired cases collected after shooting. Some cases use other materials, so case and brass are not perfectly interchangeable.
“Pick up your brass according to the range’s rules.”
Bulk / spam can
Ammunition sold in volume, and specifically surplus ammunition sealed in a metal can. A C&R collector favorite.
“Opened the spam can with the sardine key.”
Caliber
The bullet or bore diameter, in inches or millimeters, and loosely the whole cartridge name. Match the marking on the firearm exactly.
“9mm Luger and 9mm Makarov are not the same caliber.”
Cartridge / round
The complete unit: case, primer, powder and bullet. The bullet is only the projectile. Saying bullets for cartridges is common, and now you know.
“A box of fifty rounds.”
Clip
A device that holds cartridges together, often to help load a firearm or magazine. It is not the general term for a detachable magazine.
“Clip and magazine name different kinds of devices.”
Dud
A round that fails to ignite. Treat it as a possible hangfire before you clear it.
“One dud in the box. Waited, then cleared it.”
FMJ
Full metal jacket. A bullet construction with a metal jacket covering its nose and sides. The abbreviation describes the projectile’s construction, not the case material.
“FMJ appears in the ammunition description.”
FTE
May mean failure to extract or failure to eject. These describe different stages, so the abbreviation alone is ambiguous.
“Spell out what happened instead of reporting only FTE.”
Gauge
Shotgun bore sizing. A smaller number is a bigger bore, so 12 gauge is larger than 20.
“A 20 gauge kicks less than a 12.”
Grain / gr
A unit of mass. On an ammunition box, the prominent grain figure usually describes bullet weight, not how much propellant is inside.
“The 124-grain label refers to projectile weight.”
JHP
Jacketed hollow point. A projectile with a metal jacket and a cavity at the tip. The abbreviation describes construction, not a guarantee of a particular result.
“JHP and FMJ describe different bullet constructions.”
Magazine / mag
A device that stores cartridges and presents them for feeding into a firearm. It can be detachable or built into the firearm; it is distinct from a clip.
“Mag is short for magazine.”
+P
Ammunition loaded to higher pressure for more velocity. Only for firearms rated for it; check the manual.
“Rated for +P, but the standard load groups better.”
Primer / centerfire / rimfire
The ignition component. Centerfire cartridges carry the primer in the center of the case head and are reloadable; rimfire, like .22 LR, is primed in the rim.
“Rimfire for practice, centerfire for everything else.”
Steel case vs. brass case
Budget imported ammunition in steel cases against standard reloadable brass. Some ranges do not allow steel; ask first.
“Check the range rules before buying steel case.”
No term matches that search. Try the abbreviation on its own, or ask in the Getting started forum on CAguns and we will add it.
Keep reading
The guides these terms come up in
- Guide: private party transfers in California
- Guide: what DROS now asks for
- Guide: CCW fees by county
- Guide: ammunition purchase checklist
- Guide: carry rules to verify before you travel
- Guide: court rulings for C&R collectors
- Tracker: handgun roster watch
- Tracker: California firearms bills
- Course: Firearms Safety, the basics
- Course: buying and selling used guns
- Course: FFL03 / COE
- Course: How to get your CCW
Missing a term, or think a definition is off? Post it in the Getting started forum on CAguns or report it here. Slang entries describe usage; official terms link to the agency that defines them, and were checked on September 10, 2026.