California Firearms Safety Certificates (CAFSC) Practice Exam 2025 - Free Firearms Safety Practice Questions and Study Guide.

The part of the gun that strikes the primer is called the firing pin. Upon pulling the trigger, the firing pin is propelled forward, striking the primer located at the base of the cartridge. This impact ignites the primer compound, subsequently igniting the gunpowder in the cartridge and firing the bullet.

The trigger is the mechanism that the shooter pulls to initiate the firing sequence, but it does not directly make contact with the primer. The slide is a component typically found on semi-automatic pistols that helps chamber a round and eject spent casings, while the barrel is the part of the gun through which the bullet travels once fired. Understanding the function of the firing pin is crucial for firearm safety and operation.