SEMIAUTOMATIC PISTOL PARTS AND OPERATION

How a Semiautomatic Pistol Works

A semiautomatic pistol has a single chamber. Each time the trigger is pulled, a cartridge is fired, the empty case is automatically extracted and ejected, the hammer is cocked, and a new cartridge is loaded into the chamber.

The primary difference between revolvers and semiautomatic pistols is how the ammunition is held. Revolvers use a cylinder to hold ammunition. Semiautomatic pistols use a magazine to hold ammunition. A magazine is a separate metal boxlike container into which cartridges are loaded. It is usually located within the grip. A button or catch releases the magazine.

Another difference is most semiautomatic pistols have a “safety” that is designed to prevent firing when engaged. However, it is not foolproof so do not rely on the safety to prevent an accidental discharge. A safety should be considered an additional safety measure.

Never pull the trigger on any firearm with the safety in the “safe” position because thereafter the firearm could fire at any time without the trigger ever being touched. If a firearm is dropped, it may land hard enough to activate the firing mechanism without the trigger being touched.

SEMIAUTOMATIC PISTOL SAFE HANDLING

1. Remove the magazine.

2. Lock the slide back. If the model of firearm does not allow the slide to be locked back, pull the slide back, visually and physically inspect the chamber to ensure that it is clear.


3. Visually and physically inspect the chamber, to ensure that the firearm is unloaded.

4. Remove the firearm safety

device, if applicable. If the firearm safety device prevents any of the previous steps, remove the firearm safety device during the appropriate step.

5. Load one dummy round into the magazine.

6. Insert the magazine into the magazine well of the firearm.

7. Manipulate the slide release or pull back and release the slide.

8. Remove the magazine.

9. Visually inspect the chamber to reveal that a round can be chambered with the magazine removed.

10. Lock the slide back to eject
the dummy round. If the firearm is of a model that does not allow the slide to be locked back, pull the slide back and physically check the chamber to ensure that the chamber is clear.

11. Apply the safety, if applicable.

12. Apply the firearm safety device, if applicable.

Note: If you release the slide before inserting the magazine,
there will NOT be a cartridge in the chamber.

You should NOT assume a semiautomatic pistol is unloaded just because the magazine is removed from the handgun.

Do not allow the slide to go forward UNLESS you have:

1. Checked again to be sure the chamber is empty, and

2. Checked again to be sure the magazine has been REMOVED.

If you pull the slide back ejecting the cartridge, check the chamber, let
the slide go forward, and THEN remove the magazine, you have a loaded, dangerous firearm (a cartridge is in the chamber) even thoughyou have removed the magazine. It is common and sometimes fatal to make this error.


ALWAYS REMOVE THE MAGAZINE FIRST!