What Is a Pistol Slide? How It Works A pistol slide is the moving upper portion of a semi-automatic pistol that houses or supports several important components of the firearm’s operating system. It typically contains the barrel’s locking interface, the recoil spring assembly’s operating space, and the firing mechanism components, depending on the design. The […]
Tag Archives: handgun basics
What Is a Single-Action Trigger? How It Works A single-action trigger releases a hammer or striker that has already been cocked. Unlike a traditional double-action trigger, which cocks and releases the hammer during the same pull, a single-action trigger performs the release function only. Single-action systems are found in classic revolvers, many 1911-style pistols, and […]
What Is a Double-Action Trigger? How It Works A double-action trigger allows a handgun to cock and release its hammer with a single pull of the trigger. This creates a different trigger feel from a single-action system, where the hammer is already cocked before the trigger releases it. Understanding the difference helps explain why some […]
Striker-Fired vs. Hammer-Fired Pistols Explained Striker-fired vs. hammer-fired pistols differ mainly in how they ignite a cartridge, but their designs can also affect trigger feel, external controls, maintenance, and the overall shooting experience. Both systems are widely used in modern handguns, and neither is automatically safer, more accurate, or more reliable than the other. Understanding […]
What Is a Hammer-Fired Pistol? A hammer-fired pistol is a handgun that uses a spring-powered hammer to strike a firing pin, which then impacts the cartridge primer to initiate ignition. In some designs, the hammer itself incorporates the striking component. Unlike most striker-fired pistols, hammer-fired models use a pivoting hammer that may be exposed, partially […]
What Is a Striker-Fired Pistol? A striker-fired pistol is a semi-automatic handgun that uses an internal, spring-driven striker to strike the primer of a cartridge and fire the round. Unlike a traditional hammer-fired pistol, it does not rely on a separate hammer to deliver that impact. The firing mechanism is housed inside the firearm, giving […]