Firearm action

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In firearms terminology, an action is the system of operation used to load rounds and/or seal the breech. In many weapons a breechblock reciprocates in the receiver of the firearm.

The term is also used for the physical parts inside the weapon that carry out the system of operation.

Actions are generally divided on the basis of what provides the energy for its cycle, and how they lock the breech.

Contents 1 Recoil operation 1.1 Weapons using recoil operation 2 Blowback/forward operation 2.1 Weapons using blowback operation 3 Gas operation 3.1 Weapons using gas operation 4 Manual operation 4.1 Weapons using manual operation 5 Muzzle-loading 5.1 Muzzle-loading Weapons 6 References

[edit] Recoil operation

Main article: Recoil operation

Recoil operation is a type of locked-breech firearm actions used in semi-automatic and automatic firearms. As the name implies, these actions use the force of recoil to provide the energy to cycle the action.

[edit] Weapons using recoil operation

• Short-recoil - Colt M1911, CZ75, Browning Hi-Power, HK USP, Glock, M2 Browning machine gun, MG42, Ceska Zbrojovka Vz 52, M82
• Long-recoil - Browning Automatic Shotgun, Femaru STOP Pistol, Mars Automatic Pistol
• Inertia - some Benelli shotguns

[edit] Blowback/forward operation

Main article: Blowback (arms)

Blowback operation is a system in which automatic or semi-automatic firearms operate through the energy created by combustion in the chamber and bore acting directly on the bolt face through the cartridge.

[edit] Weapons using blowback operation

• Direct blowback - MP 18, MP 40, Uzi, HK UMP, Walther PPK
• Direct blowforward - Steyr Mannlicher M1894, Hino-Komuro, Schwarzlose Pistol
• Roller-delayed blowback - HK G3, HK MP5, HK P9
• Gas-delayed blowback - HK P7, Steyr GB
• Lever-Delayed Blowback - TKB-517, FAMAS, AA-52
• Blish Lock - early Thompson submachine guns

[edit] Gas operation

Main articles: Gas-operated reloading and Direct impingement

Gas operation is a system of operation used to provide energy to autoloading firearms. In gas-operation, a portion of high pressure gas from the cartridge being fired is used to extract the spent case and chamber a new cartridge.

[edit] Weapons using gas operation

• Short-stroke gas piston - FN FAL, AR-18, AK-47, HK G36, XM8, MP7, SA80, SKS
• Long-stroke gas piston - M1 Garand, FG 42
• Direct impingement - AR-15, M16, AG-42

[edit] Manual operation

Main articles: Bolt-action, Lever-action, Pump-action, Nordenfelt Gun, Gardner gun, Falling block action, Rolling block, and Break action

Manual operation is a firearms term describing any type of firearm action that is loaded one shot at a time by the user rather than automatically. For example, break action is a form of manual operation using a simple hinge mechanism that is manually unlatched by the operator exposing the chamber(s) for reloading.

[edit] Weapons using manual operation

• Bolt action - Karabiner 98k, Winchester Model 70, Mosin-Nagant
• Lever action - Winchester Repeating Rifle, Marlin Model 1894
• Pump action - Remington 870, Winchester Model 1897
• Break action - Single and Double-barreled shotguns, Thompson Center Arms Contender
• Falling block - Martini-Henry, Ruger No. 1

[edit] Muzzle-loading

A Muzzle-loading firearm is one in which the firearm is loaded from the muzzle-end (typically with black powder and a lead projectile), with a ramrod then being used to ensure the powder and shot are properly seated. Muzzle-loading rifles are typically referred to as Muskets.

[edit] Muzzle-loading Weapons

• Matchlock - Arquebus
• Wheellock - Miquelet
• Flintlock- Brown Bess Musket, Duelling pistol
• Percussion Cap - Enfield 1853 Rifled Musket, LeMat Revolver

[edit] References