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Test Firing

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Pouring casting material into the barrel of a rifle.

Steps in casting a barrel

Courtesy of Armor Forensics

Laboratory policies and procedures should be followed for test firing. If there are any concerns about the safety of the firearm, a remote firing system should be used.

The following is a general description of the process to be performed and documented for function and bullet recovery test firing:

Removing hardened casting material from the barrel of a rifle. Material displays land and groove ridges.

Steps in casting a barrel

Courtesy of Armor Forensics

  1. Function.
    1. Load firearm with one cartridge.
    2. Announce intention to fire.
    3. Discharge firearm.
  2. Bullet recovery.
    1. Properly mark cartridge case and bullets.
    2. Determine appropriate recovery medium (water, cotton, etc.).
    3. Load firearm with one marked cartridge.
    4. Place the firearm into the recovery system firing opening.
    5. Announce intention to fire.
    6. Discharge the firearm.
    7. Repeat steps c – f until number of test fires required (by laboratory policy) is complete.
    8. Recover bullets and cartridge cases.
  3. Additional Testing.
    1. Full automatic firing.
    2. Single-action.
    3. Double-action operation.
Note:
When testing for firearm function of semiautomatic pistols and full automatic firearms, more than one cartridge should be used. Laboratory protocol should be followed for this functionality testing.
Special Considerations

Revolvers

In double-action revolvers with the capability of operating in single- or double-action mode, test fires should be obtained using both modes; markings may vary depending on the mode of discharge.

Multi-barreled firearms

In multibarrel firearms, each barrel must be test fired; marked bullets/cartridges must be readily identifiable back to the barrel and breech that discharged them.

Rifles

High-powered rifles can present difficulties in the recovery of fired bullets due to potential bullet fragmentation. Refer to laboratory policy for the correct methodology.

Firearms unsafe to discharge

Using casting material, cast the barrel or the breech face firing area to provide microscopic detail for examination and comparison.

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