päästikust

Päästikust is a Finnish term that translates to "trigger" in English. It most commonly refers to the mechanism on a firearm that, when pulled, initiates the firing sequence. The action of pulling the päästikust releases a hammer or striker, which then impacts a primer, igniting the propellant and firing the projectile.

The design and feel of a päästikust can vary significantly between different types of firearms. For example, the päästikust on a bolt-action rifle will likely feel different from that of a semi-automatic pistol or a shotgun. Factors such as trigger pull weight, the distance the päästikust travels (travel distance), and the point at which it breaks (the release point) are all important characteristics that affect a shooter's ability to accurately fire the weapon.

In a broader sense, the term päästikust can also be used metaphorically to describe the initiating event or cause of something. For instance, a specific action might be described as "the päästikust" that led to a particular outcome or conflict. This metaphorical usage extends the concept of a trigger from a physical mechanism to a conceptual one, representing the point at which a chain of events begins.