Firing pin

A firearm component that strikes a cartridge primer, initiating ignition of the propellant. It may be a separate part or integrated into a striker assembly.

Cartridge primer: An impact-sensitive component in a cartridge that initiates propellant ignition. The firing pin transfers impact to this component to begin the firing sequence.
Firearm: A device that launches a projectile by expanding gases produced by burning propellant. The firing pin is one component within a firearm's ignition system.
Floating firing pin: A firing pin that moves freely within its channel rather than being positively retracted by a spring. Its movement and inertia shape primer contact and drop-safety considerations.
Hammer: A moving firearm part that stores or transfers energy to the ignition system. It can supply the force that drives a separate firing pin.
Striker-fired firearm: A firearm whose spring-driven striker performs the ignition strike without a separate hammer. Its striker may incorporate the firing pin, unlike mechanisms with a distinct hammer-driven pin.
Cartridge (firearms): A unit of ammunition containing a projectile, propellant, primer, and case, or a subset of these components. The firing pin acts on the primer housed in the cartridge.
Spring-loaded firing pin: A firing pin biased rearward by a spring when the mechanism is not driving it forward. The return spring helps keep the tip away from the primer at rest.
Striker: A spring-driven firearm part that directly impacts a primer or carries an integral firing pin. A striker may replace the separate pin-and-hammer arrangement.
Hammer-fired firearm: A firearm in which a pivoting or sliding hammer delivers force to the firing mechanism. The hammer commonly drives a separate firing pin toward the primer.
Centerfire ammunition: Ammunition with a primer located in a separate cup at the center of the cartridge case head. Its central primer is struck by the firing pin.

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