What describes the firing cycle of a handgun?

The firing cycle of a handgun primarily involves the process of firing a round and then preparing the firearm for the next round. The correct answer encapsulates this series of actions: it begins with the firing of a round, followed by extraction of the spent cartridge case from the chamber. Subsequently, the ejection of that case from the firearm occurs, and finally, the feeding of a new round into the chamber from the magazine.

Understanding this cycle is crucial for the operation of semi-automatic and automatic handguns, as it describes how the firearm transitions from one action to the next seamlessly. Each step is vital for the handgun to function properly and ensure readiness for the next discharge.

Alternatives that involve other scenarios or actions do not specifically align with the standard operational cycle. Cleaning, storing, aiming, or making adjustments are important aspects of firearm maintenance and use, but they do not pertain directly to the fundamental cycling of the handgun during its function of firing a shot.