The position of the hammer when it is being retracted and held by the sear so It cannot be released by a normal pull of the
trigger.
Hammer
The part of the
action that drives the firing pin forward.
Hammer
Block
A safety device that separates the hammer from the firing pin except when the
trigger is pulled.
Hammer Spur
The extension on an exposed hammer that acts as a
cocking aid.
Hammerless
A firearm whose hammer and striker (firing pin) are concealed within the metal frame.
Handgun
A gun designed to be fired from one hand, capable of being concealed on the person and with a barrel less than 16 inches long. Until the mid-1980s the most common type was a
revolver, with a rotating
cylinder usually holding 6 cartridges. Since then, production of revolvers has declined and the dominant
handgun has become the
semi-automatic pistol, which uses a removable ammunition magazine (also called a "clip"), usually located in the handle of the gun. Each firing of the pistol forces a new cartridge up the magazine and into the chamber.
A typical 9mm-caliberpistol has a
magazine
capacity of 8-10 cartridges.
Head
The portion of the cartridge case that contains the primer, also called the base.
Head Space
The distance from the face of the closed breech of a firearm
to the surface in the chamber on which the cartridge case seats.
High
Brass/high Cup
Shotshells having a high metal
head construction.
Hinged Frame Action
A design where a level located on
the top, side or under the frame is used to open the
action. The
barrel
or barrels then pivot either up, down or to the side
for loading or unloading. When the action is closed,
the barrel's breech swings against the standing
breech.
Hollow Point
Bullet
A bullet with a cavity in the nose to enable expansion.
Dundee
Sportsman's Club, Michigan Best Sportsman's Club
