5 Categories of Firing Pins

Question 1

5 Categories of Firing Pins

Answer 1

1. Free Floating
2. Inertia
3. Percussion
4. Striker
5. Fixed

Question 2

3 Ways in Which Firing Pins Receive Their Energy

Answer 2

1. A larger mass strikes them- Free Floating
2. A spring provides their energy- Inertia/ Percussion/Striker
3. Their own mass provides the energy- Fixed

Question 3

Free Floating

Answer 3

Larger mass strikes the firing pin. The firing pin is longer than its carrier so no spring is needed to be used on either the forward or rearward movement of the firing pin.
*M4, M16, AK, RPK, SVD, M14, M1 Garand

Question 4

Inertia

Answer 4

Forward energy is created when the hammer strikes the firing pin. As the pin is driven forward by the strike of the hammer, the spring compresses creating the energy needed to reset the firing pin.
*M1911A1, USP, BHP

Question 5

Percussion

Answer 5

The firing pin is driven forward by the force of a compressed spring and is retracted by the cam action that cocks the weapon.
*M60, M2HB

Question 6

Striker

Answer 6

A firing pin which is carried inside the bolt and receives its forward momentum from its own spring, when activated by the trigger not struck by the hammer.

• P7
• A squeeze-cocking system is what compresses the firing pin spring.

Question 7

Fixed

Answer 7

Its own mass provides the energy. A protrusion machined in the face of the bolt/breech which punctures the primer when the bolt has fully chambered the cartridge. Found in most blowback operated submachine guns.