Guide to shotgun jargon

If you’ve just started shooting then you’ll need to be aware of some of the terminology used. Here’s a guide to some of the most words you’re most likely to hear frequently and what they actually mean.

Action:
The part of the gun behind the barrel, which contains the gun’s firing and locking mechanism.

Boxlock:
A gun in which all of the firing mechanism is contained within and directly attached to the action frame.

Cocking rod:
A rod attached to the gun’s hammers, forcing them backwards as the gun opens, thereby resetting them for subsequent shots.

Colour hardening:
A surface finish can be applied to the exterior of actions and lock plates which produces an abstract pattern of colours – usually blues, browns and yellowish-browns.

Drops at comb and heel:
The vertical distance of the comb and heel of the stock from a line projected backwards in line with the gun’s rib.

Fore-end iron:
The metal component within the fore-end wood, the rearward part of which forms part of the gun’s jointing. The iron may also be fitted with some elements of the ejector mechanism.

Fore-end loop:
Also known as the barrel loop – the steel projection beneath the barrels to which the fore-end is attached by a latch mechanism.

Furniture:
The metal parts attached to the action such as trigger guard, top and bottom straps.

Gauge:
The American term for bore – for example 12-gauge, 20-gauge, etc.

Hand:
The part of the stock which is gripped by the palm and fingers of the trigger hand.

Head:
The forward part of the stock, where it joins the metal of the gun’s action.

Jointing:
The hinge mechanism of a break-action shotgun.

Knuckle:
The half-round section at the forward end of the action, which forms part of the gun’s jointing.

Monobloc:
The modern method of constructing shotgun barrel sets, in which separate tubes are sleeved into a steel forging which forms the breech ends and lump.

Proof:
The official pressure testing of a gun for safety, performed by a nationally-recognised body. It is illegal to sell a gun which does not have valid proof.

Side plate:
An artificial lock plate fitted to a boxlock gun, for cosmetic purposes.

Sidelock:
A gun with the main elements of the lock mechanism are mounted on removable plates which are attached to the sides of the action.

Single selective trigger:
A single trigger fitted to a two-barrelled gun which can be set to either the top or the bottom barrel first.

Striker:
Another word for a firing pin.

Top strap:
The top, rearward part of a gun’s action, behind the top lever.

Trigger plate:
A removable plate carrying the trigger and, usually, all the major components of the gun’s firing mechanism.

Tumbler:
Another word for a shotgun’s hammer.