Types of Safeties
Cross-Bolt Safety
- Common on pump and semi-automatic firearms
- A simple, push-button action that blocks the trigger or hammer
- Usually located at the trigger guard or ahead of the hammer
Cross-Bolt Trigger Safety on the Trigger Guard of a Pump-Action Shotgun
Pivot Safety
- Common on bolt-action rifles and found on some semi-automatic pistols
- A pivoting lever or tab that blocks the trigger or firing pin
- Located on the frame (blocks trigger) or on the bolt or slide (blocks firing pin)
Pivot Safety on the Bolt of a Bolt-Action Rifle
Pivot Safety on the Slide of a Semi-Automatic Handgun
Slide or Tang Safety
- Common on some rifles and break-action shotguns
- A sliding bar or button that blocks the firing action
- Located on the tang (a metal strip behind the receiver) of break-action firearms or on the side of the receiver on some rifles
Slide Safety on the Tang of a Break-Action Shotgun
Half-Cock or Hammer Safety
- Common on single-action revolvers and other firearms with exposed hammers
- Positions the hammer at half-cock, away from the firing pin
- Engaged by placing the hammer at half-cock
- While not a true safety, it is sometimes described as a mechanical safety device by firearm manufacturers