Page 126 - FAT 105 4.17 MOODLE

Figure 4: A striker-fired system.

There is also another type of hammer-fired causing ignition (like with many bolt-action
system known as the “hammerless” or “hidden rifles). Second, when the trigger is pressed, the
hammer.” The hammerless or hidden hammer trigger will act upon a transfer bar, or sear, which
action still utilizes a hammer like a regular ham- acts upon the striker. Many polymer, semi-auto-
mer-fired system, but the hammer is concealed matic pistol systems use this type of action.
within the firearm’s frame. While the hammer
Typically, the fire control group lives in the
of a regular hammer-fired system can be manip-
frame/receiver of the firearm and the striker
ulated by the operator, the hammerless design
lives in the bolt/breechblock/slide. Only the
restricts the operator from manually cocking the
trigger pivots on a pin in the frame/receiver.
hammer. The purpose of this type of design is
When the trigger releases the striker, it will
for concealed carry. The enclosed hammer pre-
plunge forward under spring force. The weight
vents snagging on clothing or other garments.
and speed of the striker is critical to proper igni-
The striker-fired system is more simplistic. The tion without damage to the primer.
striker-fired system relies on a part called the
Each system has its own advantages and dis-
striker to create ignition. The striker acts like a
advantages, but both systems are equal in their
spring-loaded firing pin, which features an extra
performance and reliability. The hammer-fired
sear lug that is used to cock.
system has the advantage of being able to be
Like the hammer-fired system, the striker-fired manually cocked and de-cocked by the opera-
system can work in one of two ways. First, when tor. Some hammer-fired, semi-automatic mod-
the trigger is pressed, the trigger itself will di- els also feature a “second chance” capability,
rectly act upon the striker, releasing it and

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