In the firing sequence, what happens after the primer ignites the gunpowder?

• A. Gunpowder ignites
• B. The barrel ruptures
• C. The bullet is ejected
• D. The trigger locks

Answer: (A)

After the primer fires, its spark is designed to start the powder burning. The gunpowder then ignites and rapidly burns, creating a large amount of hot gas that builds up high pressure inside the cartridge. This sudden pressure is what forces the bullet forward and down the barrel. The other events—like the barrel rupturing or the trigger locking—aren’t the immediate next step in a normal firing sequence, and the bullet’s exit or the case being ejected happen as a result of that pressure and subsequent firearm cycling.