Promote personal safety while using firearms for sport or for hunting. Learning about firearms, safety parts, and safe shooting practices protects you and those around you from harm. Different gun parts, such as the barrel, trigger, and grip, serve specific functions you need to understand before owning a gun, as well as many common safety features. Here are five parts of a gun that promote safety:
1. Hammer Block
Some guns have a hammer block safety feature, which is an additional level of precaution to prevent accidental firing. It is usually a small lever or button located on the side of the gun near the hammer. When engaged, it blocks the hammer from striking the firing pin, even if the trigger is pulled. This safety feature can be helpful when carrying a loaded gun with a round in the chamber. It provides an extra layer of protection against accidental discharge.
2. Firing Pin
Gun parts like the firing pin and spring work together to fire a cartridge. The firing pin is a pointed metal piece that strikes the primer of the bullet when you pull the trigger. It transfers the energy from the hammer or striker that ignites the gunpowder inside the casing, creating an explosion that drives the bullet forward. Knowing how your firing pin works will also help you troubleshoot issues such as misfires or malfunctions. You have to confirm if your firing pin is free of debris or damage before each shooting session for you to prevent errors.
3. Safety Lever
A safety lever is the gun part that enables you to lock the trigger and prevents it from being pulled. It is located on the side of the firearm, near the shooter’s thumb. Before using your gun, you must know where your safety lever is and how it works. The safety lever can be on the side, front, or back of a gun. Its location depends on where the manufacturer put it. You can squeeze the trigger and fire when you disengage the safety lever. When you engage the safety lever, it prevents your gun from firing.
4. Slide Stop
The slide stop is designed to catch the slide and hold it open when you shoot the last round in your gun’s magazine. It’s a small metal mechanism on the side of the gun, down where you grip the gun. You release it by pulling down on the slide stop with your trigger finger as you insert a new magazine into the magazine well. Pulling back and releasing on an empty chamber may close your slide and lock it into place.
5. Trigger Guard
The trigger guard is a metal protective cover around the trigger of every firearm. It saves the trigger from being pulled unintentionally, reducing the possibility of any discharge that may occur by chance. Most guns bear an embossed trigger guard, but you can get an aftermarket guard for better safety.
The trigger guard positions the finger at the right spot while holding the gun. Good positioning of the finger at all times negates the possibility of pulling the trigger at an angle that can change the alignment of the firearm. Good grip reduces movement while firing and recoil. It enhances more consistent shot placement, even for longer shootings.
Invest in Quality Gun Parts
Buying the gun parts from a reputable dealer will enable you to get quality parts that have undergone stringent tests, such as tensile strength. You will eliminate buying substandard parts, which may affect your gun’s function and make it malfunction or cause accidents. Contact your gun provider today to learn more about the parts compatible with your firearm.
