How many cycles are involved in the functioning of a firearm?

The functioning of a firearm involves a cycle commonly referred to as the "operating cycle," which outlines the series of actions that take place in order to fire a round and prepare the next one for firing. This cycle typically encompasses eight distinct stages:

1. Feeding: The firearm receives a cartridge from the magazine.

2. Chambering: The cartridge is pushed into the chamber.

3. Locking: The bolt locks in place to secure the cartridge in the chamber.

4. Firing: The trigger is pulled, causing the firing pin to strike the primer of the cartridge, igniting the powder charge and firing the bullet.

5. Unlocking: After firing, the bolt unlocks from the chamber.

6. Extracting: The spent cartridge case is pulled out from the chamber.

7. Ejecting: The spent case is ejected from the firearm.

8. Cock: The firearm is readied for the next round, often involving resetting the firing mechanism.

These cycles are crucial for the reliable and efficient operation of various types of firearms, both manual and automatic. Understanding this cycle helps in effectively maintaining and operating a firearm, critical skills for any infantry