Glossary of Common Acronyms / Terms

AD – Accidental Discharge

The term for a firearm discharge due to a mechanical failure solely within the firearm. This typically only occurs if a non-drop safe firearm is dropped and/or when the internals of a firearm fail. Often misatributed for an ND by embarressed gun owners in an accident.

AK – Avtomat Kalashnikova

What most people call an ‘AK-47’ when they see what is most likely an AK-103 or AKM.

AR-15/AR-10 – Armalite Rifle

Sometimes misattributed as ‘Assault Rifle’, the AR-15 and AR-10 pattern rifles are common rifle patterns used for a variety of applications including self-defense, recreation shooting, and hunting.

ATF / BATFE – Bureau of Alchohol, Tobacco, Firearms, & Explosives

The federal government’s executive branch that oversees compliance of gun laws.

BC – Ballistic Coefficient

A unit of measurement for a bullet’s ability to “cut” through the air. The higher BC for a given bullet allows it to move through the air more efficiently, which is signficant for long range applications.

BCA - Bureau of Criminal Apprehension

The governing body that oversees various firearms related activity, such as PTC requirements.

Box of ammo

An individual package of ammo. Typically ranges in count of 5-50 rounds depending on the caliber.

BTHP – Boat Tail Hollow Point

A type of bullet form factor that is known for high precision that is commonly used in long range applications.

BUIS – Back Up Iron Sights

A front and rear sight combination that allow an additional sighting system in the event of an optic failure.

Bullet – The projectile fired from a gun

The projective fired from a gun. Sometimes misattributed for a whole round of ammunition.

Caliber – The size of the ammunition a given gun will use

Generally referred to using the metric (mm) or imperial (fraction of an inch) designation, the caliber refers to the diameter of the bullet that will be fired.

Case of Ammo

1000 rounds of ammo. Can be loosely packed into a container, or individually packaged.

CCW – Concealed Carry Weapon

Generally a handgun that someone that is hidden on a person.

Clip

A holder of ammunition that allows the user to feed ammunition into the magazine of a firearm.

DGU – Defensive Gun Use

An incident involving a firearm, which could be as minimal as flashing a firearm, but typically involves a firearm discharge.

EDC – EveryDay Carry

A common assortment of items that a person will carry on any given day, ranging from their phone, wallet, and keys, to medical supplies, a handgun, and multi-tool.

FFL – Federal Firearms License

A license allowing the owner to transfer firearms from another FFL to an individual. This can be held by a business entity or an individual.

FMJ – Full Metal Jacket

A type of lead bullet that is wrapped in copper or other alloy. Typical for training due to low cost.

FPS – Feet Per Second

A unit of measurement for the speed of a bullet. With the speed of sound typically observed around 1125 FPS, bullets travling above that speed are known as super sonic bullets, and bullets below that speed are known as subsonic bullets.

Fudd

Derived from the “Elmer Fudd” from the Looney Toons, Fudds are people, typically from a hunting background, that assert that their knowledge of older firearms covers modern self defense requirements.

GSSF – Glock Sport Shooting Foundation

A shooting sport association. This shooting association is well known for offering yearly coupons for its members to purchase heavily discounted Glocks. Also holds competitions that are jokingly called “Raffles disguised as a shooting competition.”

HP – Hollow Point

A type of bullet that has a hollow tip that allows expansion of the bullet upon impact of soft tissue. Typically used for self defense firearms.

IFAK – Individual First Aid Kit

A collection of medical equipment typically centered around addressing traumatic blood loss. Contents typically include a TCCC recommended TQ, compressed gauze, a compression bandage, and chest seals.

IPSC – International Practical Shooting Confederation

A shooting sport association. Founded in 1976, this shooting sport ruleset has been commonly associated with a high level of precision.

IWB – Inside the WaistBand

A common holster type that conceals the muzzle end of the firearm under clothing. Extremely common for concealed carry weapons.

LEO – Law Enforcement Officer, LE – Law Enforcement

Abbreviation for Law Enforcement. Typically used to refer to city police or county sheriffs.

LGS – Local Gun Store

An arbitrary gun store in your given state, or the one closest to your location.

LPVO – Low Power Variable Optic

A common rifle optic that starts at 1x power ranges from 4x to 10x maximum magnification.

Magazine

The source of ammunition that feeds the gun. Sometimes misattributed as a clip. MIL – Military

Abbreviation for Military. Typically used to describe items that are restricted to military use and not for sale to civilians

MLOK – Modular Lock

A common accessory mounting interface. This interface allows for a smooth surface and a lighter mount compared to Picatinny rail mounts.

MNGOC – MN Gun Owners Caucus

The single issue gun rights advocacy group for Minnesota. Not to be confused with fake advocacy groups, such as MN Gun Rights.

MOLLE – Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment

A type of nylon good mounting interface that allows the secure attachment of accessory pouches to a larger pack. Initially designed for the military, these have become mainstream and evoke a “tactibro” vibe.

ND – Negligent Discharge

The term for a firearm discharge due to human error. This can occur due complacency and/or lack of knowledge.

NFA – National Firearms Act

A federal gun control law that dictates special class firearms such as Short Barrel Rifles, Short Barrel Shotguns, Destructive Devices, and related items such as silencers.

NICS – National Instant Criminal Background Check System

The federal system to perform background checks for all firearms purchases made through an FFL.

OAL – OverAll Length

The overall length for a given item. Typically used the desribe the longest dimension of a firearm or bullet.

OWB – Outside the WaistBand

A common holster type that keeps the muzzle end of the firearm outside of the wearers clothing. Extremely common for extended range use but in some applications can be used for concealed carry.

Pic Rail – 1913 / Picatinny rail

A common accessory mounting interface. This interface is a highly robust mount for items but can be rough on the users hands.

PTC/LTC – Permit to Carry / License to Carry

In the states that require a PTC, this is a card issued to an applicant after successfully completing a requisite course and application that permits the ability to carry a firearm on their person while outside their living space.

QD – Quick Disconnect

A reciever and plug connection that allow easy installation and removal of a piece of equipment. Commonly used for items such as optics, slings, and suppressors.

Quad rail

Refers to a handguard with four sides of pic rail.

Round of ammo

The term for a completed, ready to fire piece of ammunition, this is the most correct term to avoid accidentally buying a set of projectiles for making your own ammunition. Often misattributed as a bullet.

RSO – Range Safety Officer

An individual trained in firearms safety that oversees safe range activity. Typically trained beyond basic firearms handling, this individual is typically trained in stopping traumatic bleeding.

SAMSA - Semi Auto Military Style Assault firearms

A semiautomatic firearm defined by a certain set of features. These features are described by MN’s BCA: https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/bca/public-services-bca/firearms-information/how-obtain-transfer-firearm/bca-list-firearms

SMK – Sierra Match King

A name brand of bullet that is known for high precision that is commonly used in long range applications.

SOT – Special Occupational Taxpayer

A type of license that be added to a FFL that allows the transfer and possible manufacturing of NFA items.

STB – Stop The Bleed

A type of training intended to stop traumatic bleeding that may occur from gunshot wounds but also from machine shops, car accidents, and other situations.

TCCC – Tactical Combat Casualty Care, CoTCCC – Committee on Tactical Combat Casualty Care

A committee of medics that assess medical equipment in a tactical setting.

TOF – Time Of Flight

The time a bullet flys through the air before impacting the target. Typically used in long range applications due to the delay between the sound of the shot being fired and bullet impacting the target or backstop.

TQ – tourniquet

A single use medical device to restrict blood flow on a leg or arm.

UD – Unintended Discharge

See AD.

USPSA – United States Practical Shooting Association

A shooting sport association. This US based region of IPSC developed its own ruleset that is commonly associated with a high level of speed.

WWB – Winchester White Box

An unofficial term for a low cost, Winchester branded ammunition that is packaged in a predominantly white box. This ammo has historically been a common source of training ammo but has been known to have failures of various varieties.