Half-cock
Videos
Half-cock is when the position of the hammer of a firearm is partially—but not completely—cocked. Many firearms, particularly older firearms, had a notch cut into the hammer allowing half-cock, as thi
Colt Single Action Army hammer at half cock
Cutaway view of the action of the Remington-Ryder No. 22 breech-loading rifle, which loads only with the hammer at half cock. Figure 1: Arm at the moment of discharge. Figure 2: Open to receive the cartridge. Figure 3: At half cock, loaded.
Chamber (firearms)
Videos
The chamber of a firearm is the cavity at the back end of a breechloading weapon's barrel or cylinder, where the ammunition is inserted before being fired. The rear opening of the chamber is the breec
A cartridge being pushed into the chamber of a Springfield M1903
Chambers of a revolver's cylinder
Cutaway model of the chamber with gas relief flutes (left) and roller-delayed action of the G3 battle rifle
Reverse chambered .54 Burnside cartridge