What does the term 'light strike' refer to in shotgun operation?

The term 'light strike' specifically refers to a situation in which the firing pin fails to deliver sufficient force to reliably ignite the primer of a cartridge, resulting in a partial or complete failure to fire. In shotguns, as well as in other firearms, this can occur due to several factors like a weak firing pin spring, debris blocking the firing pin's movement, or an improperly seated primer.

When discussing shotguns, if the firing pin does not strike the primer hard enough, the primer might not ignite the powder charge within the shell. This leads to a failure to generate the necessary pressure for the shell to discharge, causing the shooter to experience what is known as a 'light strike.' Understanding this concept is crucial for troubleshooting ammunition-related issues during operation and maintenance of shotguns.

The other options pertain to different operational issues that do not involve the firing pin's impact on the cartridge primer and are therefore not relevant to the definition of 'light strike.'