A firearm operating system includes a forward bolt with an internal cavity, a carrier disposed on a rear side of the forward bolt where the carrier includes a cavity, a short cam pin, a plurality of bearings, a retracted configuration, and a deployed configuration. At least a portion of a forward section of the short cam pin is disposed within the internal cavity of the forward bolt. At least a portion of a rear section of the short cam pin is disposed within the cavity of the carrier. Movement from the retracted configuration to the deployed configuration includes movement in a forward/aft direction of the short cam pin relative to the forward bolt and movement of the plurality of bearings.