What is indicated by released trigger and the hammer not moving in a firearm's action?

When analyzing the scenario where the trigger is released and the hammer does not move, it typically indicates that the firearm is functioning correctly, particularly in semi-automatic or double-action designs. When the trigger is released, it allows the firing mechanism to reset, and if the hammer remains in its resting position, it shows that the firing action has not been initiated.

In many firearms, this condition is part of normal operation; the hammer should not move unless the trigger is pulled. If the mechanism were faulty, one would expect abnormal behavior, such as the hammer moving unexpectedly when it shouldn’t. Similarly, if the trigger were broken, the hammer would likely not reset properly or could potentially move without a trigger pull, indicating a malfunction rather than proper functionality.

The engagement of a safety typically prevents the hammer from being released entirely rather than allowing it to move but preventing it from hitting the firing pin. Therefore, the state of the hammer remaining in position after trigger release suggests everything is functioning as it should without indicating any malfunctions or broken components.