What is the name of the metal ridges between the grooves in a barrel?

The metal ridges between the grooves in a barrel are called lands. In a rifled barrel, the design consists of alternating grooves and lands, where grooves are the lower parts that create the spiral patterns inside the barrel, and lands are the raised portions that impart spin to the bullet when it is fired. This spin stabilizes the bullet in flight, which improves accuracy.

Understanding this terminology is crucial for anyone involved with firearms because it relates to how bullets perform once fired. Recognizing the role of lands and grooves helps in grasping concepts like barrel rifling, which is important for shooting accuracy and understanding the mechanics of firearms.