| WWII or the Second World War was the result of | | | | traditional military firearms is black powder. However, |
| global military conflict that included most nations | | | | the same is not being used now. The reason being |
| including the super powers that were divided into | | | | black powder emits waste products due to partial |
| two opposing military alliances. This war has led to | | | | combustion of propellants. Hence, it is been replaced |
| mobilization of several hundreds of military personnel | | | | by smokeless powder cordite or other propellants. |
| thus making it a remarkable war in the world history. | | | | In order to increase performance efficiency of these |
| The era of world war has been the cause of | | | | guns, Modern firearms are being designed with rifled |
| increased use of artillery. Several guns and rifles have | | | | barrels. This helps in creating a spin to the projectile |
| sprung up during this period. The typical definition of a | | | | thus resulting in improved flight. Apart from this, |
| gun is not standard and varies depending upon the | | | | smoothbore barrel is also designed when the |
| nation and branch of service for which it is used. A | | | | projectile is stabilized by other means. Typically |
| gun can be distinguished from other firearms | | | | interior barrel diameter and associated projectile size |
| depending on the crew served weapon. | | | | is means to identify variations in guns. |
| At one time land based artillery was known as | | | | The word gun is often used as a synonym to firearm |
| cannon while sea based naval cannons were called | | | | however, in military usage; firearm would mean a |
| guns. However the term gun has now been morphed | | | | piece of artillery with high muzzle velocity. Hand held |
| for almost any tube launched projectile firing weapon | | | | fire arms like rifles, carbines, pistols and other small |
| used by boarding parties and marines. In day to day | | | | firearms are rarely referred to as guns. |
| usage gun is often referred to as a projectile | | | | Use of firearms has increased tremendously in the |
| weapon using a hollow tubular barrel with one end | | | | recent years only. Until mid 1800's projectiles and |
| closed as a means for directing the projectile and | | | | propellants were separate components that were |
| firing takes place in a flat trajectory. | | | | used in manually loaded firearms such as rifle, pistol or |
| The typical military firearm is a long gun that can | | | | cannon. For convenient usage, people even wrapped |
| release either single or multiple projectiles at a very | | | | small quantities of powder and bullet in a paper |
| high velocity through a controlled explosion. This firing | | | | package, known as cartridge. Cartridges usage was |
| is made possible with the help of gases that are | | | | very high during World War one as it has become |
| emitted by rapid and confined burning of a propellant. | | | | primary form of ammunition for small arms, tanks and |
| The most common propellant that is used in | | | | artillery. |