What does the cycle of "ejecting" involve?

The cycle of "ejecting" specifically refers to the process of removing the spent cartridge case from the chamber of a firearm after it has been fired. This is an essential step in the operation of many firearms, particularly semi-automatic and automatic types, where the firing of a round initiates a sequence of actions.

During the ejecting phase, the firearm's mechanism extracts the empty cartridge from the chamber, typically using an extractor. This allows for the chamber to be clear and ready for the next round to be loaded. Without the proper ejection of the spent case, subsequent rounds cannot be chambered, which can lead to malfunctions or jams.

In contrast, firing refers to the actual discharge of the weapon, and loading the next round is part of the feeding process that occurs after ejection. Clearing a jam involves troubleshooting and resolving a situation where the firearm cannot operate correctly, but it is not a standard part of the cycle of ejecting.