Posted by on 11/26/2021 to
Acronyms are efficient. They take something long and commonly used and shorten it so that it is short and commonly used. What are the acronyms associated with the AR-15 or firearms in general? Have you ever wondered if you can swap your BCG during a SOPMOD transition? Will your SBR complicate the BUIS in relation to the ATF? Does an FMJ affect FPS as well as MOA? Are any of these valid questions of would the NRA wonder exactly WTF is being asked. Here are some acronyms that are commonly found in the firearms world:
BCG - Bolt Carrier Group - This is the highly durable, moving part of your AR-15 that chambers the cartridge.
LPK - Lower Parts Kit - The combination of pieces that make up the trigger, the hammer, and all of the moving parts associated with them. May include the grip.
FCG - Fire Control Group - This is part of the Lower Parts Kit, specifically the parts responsible for the motion of the trigger and the hammer. It is subject to the safety which can stop it.
BUIS - Back Up Iron Sights - Back up iron sights tend to fold down when not in use and are not usually iron but made of steel, aluminum or composite material.
SBR - Short Barreled Rifle - A rifle with a barrel length of less than 16”. Otherwise known as a carbine.
FMJ - Full Metal Jacket - A type of cartridge that has a solid metal bullet, not a hollow point.
NRA - National Rifle Association - The official group in support of gun owners and their rights
FFL - Federal Firearms License/Licensee - The license you need in order to sell a serialized lower receiver.
SOPMOD - Special Operations Peculiar MODification is the collective term for a set of attachments used primarily for the M4A1, usually containing a Red Dot Sight, an AN/PEQ-2A laser module, a silencer and a M203 grenade launcher.
SOCOM - Special Operations Command - This is a military group that makes special operations decisions. These decisions often affect firearms which is why it comes up.
ATF - Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms - The firearms related government agency that enforces firearms related laws.
EDC - Every Day Carry - Pertaining to tools you want to carry with you every day including a firearm. Usually mini tools, flashlights, and small to medium handguns.
FPS - Feet Per Second - A unit of measurement often used in describing how fast a bullet travels.
MOA - Minute Of Angle - A unit of measurement used to adjust aim in reference to your targeting tool. If a circle is divided into 360 degrees, then each degree is divided into 60 sub degrees or minutes. These are very small initially but get bigger the more you travel away from the original point. Generally when adjusting your sight a minute of angle widens one inch per 100 yards.
