A solenoid actuator with firing pin position detection is provided. The solenoid actuator includes a solenoid assembly having movable armature. The solenoid assembly is mounted to a firing pin housing which houses a firing pin. The firing pin is arranged such that the movable armature acts upon the firing pin to transition it from an unfired position to a fired position. The solenoid actuator also includes a firing pin position switch is mounted within a bore that is transverse to a bore of the firing pin housing containing the firing pin. The firing pin includes cam surface that acts upon the firing pin position switch to ultimately provide an indication of whether the firing pin is in the fired or the unfired position.