What is a common indication of a firearm being ready to fire?

A common indication that a firearm is ready to fire includes the condition that the chamber is loaded and the action is closed. This means that a round is in the chamber, the firearm is cocked or otherwise prepared to fire, and the action is secured so that it can be fired with a single pull of the trigger.

When the chamber is loaded, it indicates that a bullet is ready to be discharged. Having the action closed further ensures that the firearm is in a state where it can be fired, as the internal mechanisms are engaged.

The other options do not indicate that a firearm is ready to fire. For instance, if the safety is on, this is a mechanism designed to prevent the firearm from discharging, indicating the firearm is not ready to fire. Similarly, if the hammer is down or the magazine is removed, these conditions signify that the firearm is not prepared to fire either, as either would impede the ability to discharge a round effectively. Thus, the presence of a loaded chamber and a closed action clearly signifies readiness to fire.