The rearward- moving slide also cocks the hammer. After the case is clear the slide hits a stop and the spring tension starts it forward. The magazine spring is pushing on a column of rounds tight up against the bottom of the slide. As the slide comes back by the column of cartridges, it grabs the top one and pushes it forward and up a short ramp into the chamber where the slide locks it in place. The handle, or butt, is more important here because it contains the magazine holding the cartridges.
Safety mechanisms prevent accidental firing.
Some lock the hammer, while other designs lock the trigger. Even on open ground ejected cases may be difficult to find, as they typically roll into a hiding place such as grass or small depressions in the ground. Thus, ejected cases will virtually always be left behind at the scene, but must be searched for diligently. Rifles Rifles differ from handguns in the length of the barrel and the presence of a butt stock. They are harder to carry, are poorly concealable, and more loosely regulated than handguns.