firing pin

noun

: the pin that strikes the cartridge primer in the breech mechanism of a firearm

Examples of firing pin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Its release caused a sensation: The gun was pictured on the front page of the New York Post, with fears it could be smuggled past metal detectors onto planes (in fact, a metal detector would spot the gun’s metal firing pin and any ammunition). Rajan Basra, WIRED, 5 July 2024 The grenade failed to detonate, as a red handkerchief wrapped around it stopped the firing pin from deploying quickly enough. Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 July 2024 The handgun was missing the magazine and the back plate and the firing pin. L. M. Boyd, The Arizona Republic, 21 Mar. 2024 According to investigators, the firing pin struck the primer, but the weapon failed to discharge. Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 8 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for firing pin 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'firing pin.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1874, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of firing pin was in 1874

Dictionary Entries Near firing pin

Cite this Entry

“Firing pin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/firing%20pin. Accessed 7 Oct. 2024.

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