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Revert to revision 143816499 dated 2007-07-10 21:03:08 by Bart133 using popups
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{{unref|article|date=June 2007}}
{{unref|article|date=June 2007}}
{{Otheruses1|the projectile weapon}}
{{Otheruses1|the projectile weapon}}
A''' gun''' is a common name given to an object that fires high-velocity projectiles. The projectile is fired through a hollow tube known as the gun's barrel. The projectile's caliber, or diameter, is usually designated in fractions of an inch or in millimeters. Differing from the [[musket]], most modern guns are rifled, with a series of grooves spiraling along the barrel; exceptions include smoothbores on [[tanks]], [[Armoured fighting vehicle|AFV]]s andexception to this is the [[shotgun]], which is hand-held, has a smooth bore and fires a load of [[lead shot|shot]] or a single projectile known as a slug.
A''' gun''' is a common name given to an object that fires high-velocity projectiles. The projectile is fired through a hollow tube known as the gun's barrel. The projectile's caliber, or diameter, is usually designated in fractions of an inch or in millimeters. Differing from the [[musket]], most modern guns are rifled, with a series of grooves spiraling along the barrel; exceptions include smoothbores on [[tanks]], [[Armoured fighting vehicle|AFV]]s and some [[artillery]].
[[Image:Uss iowa bb-61 pr.jpg|250px|right|thumb|[[USS Iowa (BB-61)]] fires a full broadside during a target exercise near [[Vieques, Puerto Rico|Vieques Island, Puerto Rico]], 1 July 1984.]]
The term gun is often used synonymously with [[firearm]], but this is common only for civilian usage. In military usage, the term refers only to [[artillery]] that fires projectiles at high velocity, such as [[naval artillery|naval guns]] (which are never referred to as [[cannon]]) or [[tank gun]]s. A [[gunner]] is a member of the team charged with the task of operating and firing a gun. By military terms, [[mortar (weapon)|mortar]]s and all hand-held firearms are excluded from the definition of guns. The exception to this is the [[shotgun]], which is hand-held, has a smooth bore and fires a load of [[lead shot|shot]] or a single projectile known as a slug.


The word gun is also applied to some more or less vaguely gun-like or gun-shaped [[tool]]s, such as [[staple gun]]s and [[Adhesive|glue guns]].
The word gun is also applied to some more or less vaguely gun-like or gun-shaped [[tool]]s, such as [[staple gun]]s and [[Adhesive|glue guns]].
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In a [[gun-type fission weapon]] the "gun" is part of a [[nuclear weapon]]. The projectile is [[fissile material]] that is fired and captured inside the device. In the case of [[nuclear artillery]] it should not be confused with the gun that fires the whole warhead.
In a [[gun-type fission weapon]] the "gun" is part of a [[nuclear weapon]]. The projectile is [[fissile material]] that is fired and captured inside the device. In the case of [[nuclear artillery]] it should not be confused with the gun that fires the whole warhead.


==Types of weapons==

[[Image:Colt Python SS flickr szuppo.jpg|thumb|250px|[[Colt Python]] .357 Magnum revolver]]
[[Image:Marlin1894C.jpg|thumb|250px|[[Marlin Model 1894]]C — a carbine in .357 Magnum]]
*[[Airsoft guns]]
*[[Arquebus]]
*[[Flintlock]]
*[[Gatling gun]]
*[[Gonne]]
*[[Machine gun]]
*[[Musket]]
*[[Muzzleloader]]
*[[Paintball guns]]
*[[Pistol]]
*[[Recoilless rifle]]
*[[Revolver]]
*[[Rifle]]
*[[Shotgun]]
*[[Submachine gun]]
*[[Tank gun]]
*[[Artillery|Artillery gun]]
*[[BB gun]]
*[[Minigun]]


==History and technology==
==History and technology==

Revision as of 12:49, 11 July 2007

For other uses, see the projectile weapon.

A gun is a common name given to an object that fires high-velocity projectiles. The projectile is fired through a hollow tube known as the gun's barrel. The projectile's caliber, or diameter, is usually designated in fractions of an inch or in millimeters. Differing from the musket, most modern guns are rifled, with a series of grooves spiraling along the barrel; exceptions include smoothbores on tanks, AFVs and some artillery.

USS Iowa (BB-61) fires a full broadside during a target exercise near Vieques Island, Puerto Rico, 1 July 1984.

The term gun is often used synonymously with firearm, but this is common only for civilian usage. In military usage, the term refers only to artillery that fires projectiles at high velocity, such as naval guns (which are never referred to as cannon) or tank guns. A gunner is a member of the team charged with the task of operating and firing a gun. By military terms, mortars and all hand-held firearms are excluded from the definition of guns. The exception to this is the shotgun, which is hand-held, has a smooth bore and fires a load of shot or a single projectile known as a slug.

The word gun is also applied to some more or less vaguely gun-like or gun-shaped tools, such as staple guns and glue guns.

In a gun-type fission weapon the "gun" is part of a nuclear weapon. The projectile is fissile material that is fired and captured inside the device. In the case of nuclear artillery it should not be confused with the gun that fires the whole warhead.

Types of weapons

File:Colt Python SS flickr szuppo.jpg
Colt Python .357 Magnum revolver
File:Marlin1894C.jpg
Marlin Model 1894C — a carbine in .357 Magnum

History and technology

Politics and society

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