What is the first cycle of function in firearm operation?

The initial cycle of function in firearm operation is feeding. This phase entails the movement of ammunition from the magazine into the chamber, making it ready for subsequent actions. In a semi-automatic or fully automatic firearm, feeding is essential as it sets up the next necessary steps in the cycle, such as chambering and firing. Without successful feeding, the firearm cannot operate properly since ammunition would not be available to be loaded into the chamber for ignition.

Although chambering, locking, and firing are crucial functions that follow feeding, they cannot occur until the ammunition has been successfully fed from the magazine. Each of those steps relies directly on the ammunition being introduced into the chamber correctly, which is why feeding is considered the first cycle in firearm operation. Understanding this sequence is fundamental to grasping how firearms function as a whole.