Types of Safeties
Cross-Bolt Safety
- Common on semi-automatic firearms
- A simple, push-button action that blocks the trigger or hammer
- Usually located at the trigger guard or ahead of the hammer
Pivot Safety
- Common on bolt-action rifles
- A pivoting lever or tab that blocks the trigger or firing pin
- Located on the frame (blocks trigger) or on the bolt or slide (blocks firing pin)
Pivot Safety on the Bolt of a Bolt-Action Rifle
Slide or Tang Safety
- Common on some rifles
- A sliding bar or button that blocks the firing action
- Located on the tang (a metal strip behind the receiver) of break-action firearms or on the side of the receiver on some rifles
Half-Cock or Hammer Safety
- Common on firearms with exposed hammers
- Positions the hammer at half-cock, away from the firing pin
- Engaged by placing the hammer at half-cock
- While not a true safety, it is sometimes described as a mechanical safety device by firearm manufacturers