Safety (firearms)
Videos
In firearms, a safety or safety catch is a mechanism used to help prevent the accidental discharge of a firearm, helping to ensure safer handling.
Close-up shot of a safety of an M16A2 rifle
Heckler & Koch VP70 pistol with a push-button safety (cross bolt trigger block) at the back of the trigger guard
Dan Wesson 1911-style Patriot pistol with a grip safety lever protruding at the back of the grip
SIG Sauer P226 controls and parts: 1. Ejection port 2. Rear sight 3. Hammer, 4. Takedown lever 5. Decocker 6. Slide stop 7. Trigger 8. Magazine release
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.