Thread: Closing the bolt...fire a cartridge?

Generally not but I wouldn't swear on the bible with that. If the sear fails to engage at all the firing pin is "lowered" albeit quickly, by the cam and shouldn't hit the primer with sufficient force to set it off. This would be absolutely be case if the sear never engaged. Obviously still not a desirable situation from a safety point of view.

Different though from the butt on to the floor test (or rubber mallet) where the sear has engaged - boom.

If the sear engages with gentle bolt closure it becomes more of a case of Russian Roulette.

I'm aware that some people frig with triggers and never try the slam bolt test or the butt smack onto the floor. Scary shit.