Skip to main content

Course Outline

Skip audio player

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

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
  • Unit 6 of 9
  • Topic 4 of 5
  • Page 4 of 5