101:, extracting and ejecting the spent cartridge case from the chamber, re-cocking the firing mechanism, and loading a new cartridge into the firing chamber, all without input from the user. To fire again, however, the user must actively release the trigger, and allow it to "reset", before pulling the trigger again to fire off the next round. As a result, each trigger pull only discharges a single round from a semi-automatic weapon, as opposed to a fully automatic weapon, which will shoot continuously as long as the ammunition is replete and the trigger is kept depressed.
207:
484:
528:
31:
155:
583:). With handguns, the term "automatic" is commonly used to distinguish semi-automatic pistols from revolvers. The term "auto-loader" may also be used to describe a semi-automatic handgun. However, to avoid confusion, the term "automatic rifle" is generally, conventionally, and best restricted to a rifle capable of fully automatic fire. Both uses of the term "automatic" can be found; the exact meaning must be determined from context.
387:
543:
323:. The rifle was offered in .25, .30, .32, and .35 caliber models, and gained popularity among civilians as well as some law enforcement officials who appreciated the combination of a semi-automatic action and relatively powerful rifle cartridges. The Model 81 superseded the Model 8 in 1936 and was offered in
623:
With fully automatic weapons, the open-bolt operation allows air to circulate, cooling the barrel. With semi-automatic firearms, the closed-bolt operation is preferred, as overheating is not as critical, and accuracy is preferred. Some select-fire military weapons use an open bolt in fully automatic
610:
mechanism is a common characteristic of fully automatic firearms. With this system, pulling the trigger releases the bolt from a cocked, rearward position, pushing a cartridge from the magazine into the chamber, firing the gun. The bolt retracts to the rearward position, ready to strip the next
369:
with a self-loader, possibly chambered for sub-caliber ammunition, but discarded that plan as the imminence of the Second World War and the emphasis shifted from replacing every rifle with a new design to speeding-up re-armament with existing weapons. The
513:
Semi-automatic refers to a firearm that uses the force of recoil or gas to eject the empty case and load a fresh cartridge into the firing chamber for the next shot and which allows repeat shots solely through the action of pulling the trigger. A
518:
revolver also requires only a trigger pull for each round that is fired but is not considered semi-automatic since the manual action of pulling the trigger is what advances the cylinder, not the energy of the preceding shot.
615:
and other weapons with a high rate of fire. It is rarely used in semi-automatic-only firearms, which can fire only one shot with each pull of the trigger. The closed-bolt system is generally more accurate, as the
182:, who unveiled the design in 1885. The Model 85 was followed by the equally innovative Mannlicher Models 91, 93 and 95 semi-automatic rifles. Although Mannlicher earned his reputation with his
378:
would both issue successful self-loading and selective-fire rifles on a large scale during the course of the war, but not in sufficient numbers to replace their standard bolt-action rifles.
576:
refers to the loading mechanism, not the firing capability. To avoid confusion, it is common to refer to such firearms as an "autoloader" in reference to their loading mechanism.
126:
handgun was adopted by the United States Army in 1911, and subsequently by many other nations. Semi-automatic rifles did not see widespread military adoption until just prior to
346:
but it did not receive a favorable reception. However, its shortened and improved version, the Model 1918, was much more favourably received during the
Moroccan
579:
The term "automatic pistol" almost exclusively refers to a semi-automatic (i.e. not fully automatic) pistol (fully automatic pistols are usually referred to as
595:
firing system. In a closed-bolt system, a round must first be chambered manually before the weapon can fire. When the trigger is pulled, only the hammer and
89:
in order to discharge each shot. Typically, this involves the weapon's action utilizing the excess energy released during the preceding shot (in the form of
471:, produced at around the same time, but with a 30-round magazine, and select fire capability. The SKS was the first widely issued weapon to use the
652:
930:
107:
produced the first successful design for a semi-automatic rifle in 1885, and by the early 20th century, many manufacturers had introduced
418:, the M1 Garand gave American infantrymen an advantage over their opponents, most of whom were issued slower firing bolt-action rifles.
240:; this design remained the dominant form in semi-automatic shotguns for approximately 50 years. Production of the Auto-5 ended in 1998.
276:, the Model 1903 achieved commercial success and continued to be manufactured until 1932 when the Winchester Model 63 replaced it.
599:
move, striking and firing the cartridge. The bolt then recoils far enough rearward to extract and load a new cartridge from the
291:, all using the direct blow-back system of operation. Winchester introduced a medium caliber semi-automatic sporting rifle, the
398:
was the first semi-automatic rifle to replace its nation's bolt-action rifle as the standard-issue infantry weapon. The
871:
280:
249:
640:
651:
prohibited semi-automatic weapons with certain additional characteristics, from 1994 to 2004. As of 2023, several
179:
104:
572:
when used to refer to a self-loading, semi-automatic firearm not capable of fully automatic fire. In this case,
414:. After years of research and testing, the first production model of the M1 Garand was unveiled in 1937. During
315:. Remington advertised this rifle, renamed the "Model 8" in 1911, as a sporting rifle. This is a locked-breech,
670:
338:. This is a locked-breech, gas-operated action that is very similar in its mechanical principles to the future
887:
279:
By the early 20th century, several manufacturers had introduced semi-automatic .22 sporting rifles, including
740:
675:
636:
335:
233:
159:
296:
17:
648:
635:
Various types of semi-automatic weapons were restricted for civilian use in New
Zealand after the 2019
456:
411:
803:
515:
963:
808:
550:
66:
948:
920:
777:
503:
441:
351:
295:
as an upgrade to the Model 1905, utilizing a blowback system of operation, in calibers such as
225:
187:
108:
632:
Many jurisdictions regulate some or all semi-automatic firearms differently than other types.
361:
Other nations experimented with self-loading rifles between the two World Wars, including the
842:
767:
535:
495:
292:
265:
261:
257:
116:
354:
bolt-action rifle remained the standard French infantry rifle until replaced in 1936 by the
772:
499:
451:
Another gas-operated semi-automatic rifle developed toward the end of World War II was the
171:
163:
139:
112:
78:
39:
269:
8:
800:– certain semi-automatic firearms are classified as assault weapons in some jurisdictions
600:
448:. In practice, they did not replace the bolt-action rifle as a standard infantry weapon.
591:
The mechanism of semi-automatic (or autoloading) firearms is usually what is known as a
85:
and prepares it for subsequent firing, but requires the shooter to manually actuate the
407:
253:
86:
82:
730:
968:
867:
787:
617:
569:
312:
143:
70:
58:
907:
The
Fighting Handgun: An Illustrated History from the Flintlock to Automatic Weapons
644:
330:
The first semi-automatic rifle adopted and widely issued by a major military power (
237:
206:
925:
861:
813:
483:
366:
229:
98:
797:
665:
612:
580:
553:
507:
362:
347:
308:
284:
210:
74:
62:
957:
792:
725:
464:
320:
273:
221:
195:
603:
into the firearm's chamber, ready to fire again once the trigger is pulled.
186:
rifle designs, he also produced a few semi-automatic pistols, including the
94:
720:
715:
700:
445:
433:
422:
415:
399:
375:
371:
355:
194:
and held five rounds of 6.5mm ammunition that were fed into the M1894 by a
191:
127:
472:
358:
despite the various semi-automatic rifles designed between 1918 and 1935.
921:"These Countries Restricted Assault Weapons After Just One Mass Shooting"
818:
592:
531:
403:
343:
324:
316:
288:
183:
342:
in the United States. The M1917 was fielded during the latter stages of
299:. Both the Models of 1905 and 1907 saw limited military and police use.
705:
596:
564:
may vary according to context. Gun specialists point out that the word
135:
35:
546:
510:
firearms are capable of both full automatic and semi-automatic modes.
710:
680:
607:
527:
437:
395:
339:
138:
are often selective-fire, capable of semi-automatic and automatic or
131:
30:
154:
891:
863:
Mannlicher Rifles and
Pistols: Famous Sporting and Military Weapons
695:
690:
611:
cartridge from the magazine. The open-bolt system is often used in
236:
and sold in
America under the Browning name. The Auto-5 relied on
487:
460:
214:
175:
745:
620:
changes relatively little at the moment the trigger is pulled.
429:
425:
331:
90:
272:
in order to function semi-automatically. Designed entirely by
213:
Tactical
Shotgun in 12 gauge – an example of a semi-automatic
750:
685:
522:
468:
386:
123:
542:
134:
being a notable example. Modern service rifles such as the
735:
452:
166:
to be widely issued in the infantry of any nation's army.
624:
mode and a closed bolt when semi-automatic is selected.
436:
as their standard service rifle), as well as the German
260:
rifles designed especially for the civilian market. The
556:
from the mid-1980s (The picture shown is the Glock 18C)
302:
77:mechanism automatically loads a following round of
955:
365:, which had intended to replace the bolt-action
467:. However, the SKS was quickly replaced by the
840:
381:
880:
463:and could be loaded with ten rounds, using a
327:as well as the original Remington calibers.
162:was the first semi-automatic gun that fires
149:
834:
523:Fully automatic compared to semi-automatic
506:designed and made as semi-automatic only.
243:
93:or high-pressure gas expanding within the
841:Jewison, Glenn; Steiner, Jörg C. (2010).
655:similar types of semi-automatic weapons.
402:M1 Garand was developed by Canadian-born
390:The SKS is a semi-automatic Russian rifle
201:
142:operation. Civilian variants such as the
853:
541:
526:
482:
385:
205:
153:
29:
14:
956:
313:Remington Auto-loading Repeating Rifle
859:
949:The Appeal of Semi-Automatic Weapons
432:(originally intended to replace the
252:introduced the first semi-automatic
122:In military use, the semi-automatic
904:
568:is sometimes misunderstood to mean
303:Notable early semi-automatic rifles
146:are generally semi-automatic only.
24:
909:. Arms and Armour. pp. 58–59.
232:, which was first manufactured by
170:The first successful design for a
25:
980:
941:
843:"Ferdinand Ritter von Mannlicher"
459:in 1945, it came equipped with a
250:Winchester Repeating Arms Company
933:from the original on 2023-07-28.
65:firearms are also variations on
866:. Military Service Publishing.
741:Smith & Wesson M&P15-22
627:
586:
406:for the U.S. government at the
224:developed the first successful
180:Ferdinand Ritter von Mannlicher
105:Ferdinand Ritter von Mannlicher
913:
898:
671:Dragunov (SVD-63) sniper rifle
13:
1:
827:
676:Fusil Automatique Modele 1917
637:Christchurch mosque shootings
336:Fusil Automatique Modele 1917
268:operated on the principle of
234:Fabrique Nationale de Herstal
160:Fusil Automatique Modele 1917
647:. In the United States, the
190:, which employed an unusual
7:
860:Smith, Walter H.B. (1947).
847:austro-hungarian-army.co.uk
757:
658:
649:Federal Assault Weapons Ban
643:, in Norway after the 2011
382:Notable gas-operated rifles
220:In 1902, American gunsmith
10:
985:
653:U.S. states still restrict
457:Sergei Gavrilovich Simonov
412:Springfield, Massachusetts
888:"Firsts: Springfield 375"
804:Designated marksman rifle
639:, in Australia after the
287:, Fabrique Nationale and
150:Early history (1885–1945)
97:) to unlock and move the
478:
809:Personal defense weapon
350:from 1920 to 1926. The
244:Blowback semi-automatic
109:semi-automatic shotguns
890:. 2011. Archived from
778:Semi-automatic shotgun
560:The usage of the term
557:
539:
496:semi-automatic pistols
491:
440:, were semi-automatic
394:In 1937, the American
391:
248:In 1903 and 1905, the
226:semi-automatic shotgun
217:
202:Semi-automatic shotgun
188:Steyr Mannlicher M1894
167:
47:semi-automatic firearm
42:
905:Law, Richard (1997).
768:Semi-automatic pistol
545:
536:semi-automatic pistol
530:
490:semi-automatic pistol
486:
444:rifles issued during
389:
266:Winchester Model 1905
262:Winchester Model 1903
238:long recoil operation
209:
157:
33:
773:Semi-automatic rifle
641:Port Arthur massacre
570:fully automatic fire
172:semi-automatic rifle
40:semi-automatic rifle
538:from the late 1990s
319:action designed by
222:John Moses Browning
192:blow-forward action
55:autoloading firearm
947:NPR Audio Report:
894:on March 14, 2012.
558:
540:
492:
408:Springfield Armory
392:
218:
168:
43:
788:AR-15 style rifle
784:Related subjects
618:centre of gravity
430:SVT-38 and SVT-40
174:is attributed to
71:repeating firearm
16:(Redirected from
976:
935:
934:
917:
911:
910:
902:
896:
895:
884:
878:
877:
857:
851:
850:
849:. Glenn Jewison.
838:
69:firearms), is a
49:, also called a
21:
984:
983:
979:
978:
977:
975:
974:
973:
964:Firearm actions
954:
953:
944:
939:
938:
919:
918:
914:
903:
899:
886:
885:
881:
874:
858:
854:
839:
835:
830:
825:
814:Repeating rifle
760:
755:
731:Mondragón rifle
661:
630:
613:submachine guns
589:
581:machine pistols
551:fully-automatic
525:
481:
384:
311:introduced the
305:
297:.351 Winchester
246:
230:Browning Auto-5
204:
178:-born gunsmith
152:
59:fully automatic
28:
27:Type of firearm
23:
22:
15:
12:
11:
5:
982:
972:
971:
966:
952:
951:
943:
942:External links
940:
937:
936:
929:. 2022-05-27.
912:
897:
879:
872:
852:
832:
831:
829:
826:
824:
823:
822:
821:
816:
811:
806:
801:
798:Assault weapon
795:
790:
782:
781:
780:
775:
770:
764:Main articles
761:
759:
756:
754:
753:
748:
743:
738:
733:
728:
723:
718:
713:
708:
703:
698:
693:
688:
683:
678:
673:
668:
666:Borchardt C-93
662:
660:
657:
645:Utøya shooting
629:
626:
588:
585:
554:machine pistol
524:
521:
508:Selective-fire
480:
477:
455:. Designed by
383:
380:
363:United Kingdom
309:Remington Arms
304:
301:
245:
242:
211:Remington 1100
203:
200:
151:
148:
63:selective fire
26:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
981:
970:
967:
965:
962:
961:
959:
950:
946:
945:
932:
928:
927:
922:
916:
908:
901:
893:
889:
883:
875:
873:9781258889470
869:
865:
864:
856:
848:
844:
837:
833:
820:
817:
815:
812:
810:
807:
805:
802:
799:
796:
794:
793:Assault rifle
791:
789:
786:
785:
783:
779:
776:
774:
771:
769:
766:
765:
763:
762:
752:
749:
747:
744:
742:
739:
737:
734:
732:
729:
727:
726:Meunier rifle
724:
722:
719:
717:
714:
712:
709:
707:
704:
702:
699:
697:
694:
692:
689:
687:
684:
682:
679:
677:
674:
672:
669:
667:
664:
663:
656:
654:
650:
646:
642:
638:
633:
625:
621:
619:
614:
609:
604:
602:
598:
594:
584:
582:
577:
575:
571:
567:
563:
555:
552:
548:
544:
537:
533:
529:
520:
517:
516:double-action
511:
509:
505:
501:
497:
489:
485:
476:
474:
470:
466:
465:stripper clip
462:
458:
454:
449:
447:
443:
439:
435:
431:
427:
424:
419:
417:
413:
409:
405:
401:
397:
388:
379:
377:
373:
368:
364:
359:
357:
353:
349:
345:
341:
337:
333:
328:
326:
322:
321:John Browning
318:
314:
310:
300:
298:
294:
290:
286:
282:
277:
275:
274:T. C. Johnson
271:
267:
263:
259:
255:
251:
241:
239:
235:
231:
227:
223:
216:
212:
208:
199:
197:
196:stripper clip
193:
189:
185:
181:
177:
173:
165:
161:
156:
147:
145:
141:
137:
133:
129:
125:
120:
118:
114:
110:
106:
102:
100:
96:
92:
88:
84:
80:
76:
72:
68:
64:
60:
56:
52:
48:
41:
37:
32:
19:
924:
915:
906:
900:
892:the original
882:
862:
855:
846:
836:
721:MAS-49 rifle
716:M1911 pistol
701:Luger pistol
634:
631:
628:Legal status
622:
605:
590:
587:Auto-loading
578:
573:
565:
561:
559:
512:
493:
450:
446:World War II
442:gas-operated
434:Mosin-Nagant
420:
416:World War II
400:gas-operated
393:
376:Nazi Germany
372:Soviet Union
360:
329:
306:
278:
247:
219:
169:
128:World War II
121:
103:
67:self-loading
54:
51:self-loading
50:
46:
44:
38:, a type of
18:Self-loading
819:Single-shot
593:closed-bolt
532:Walther P99
475:cartridge.
404:John Garand
367:Lee–Enfield
344:World War I
325:.300 Savage
317:long recoil
289:Savage Arms
184:bolt-action
958:Categories
828:References
706:M1 Carbine
597:firing pin
494:There are
334:) was the
293:Model 1907
281:Winchester
258:centerfire
164:cartridges
140:burst-fire
136:M4 carbine
36:Colt AR-15
711:M1 Garand
681:Gewehr 43
608:open-bolt
574:automatic
566:automatic
562:automatic
473:7.62×39mm
438:Gewehr 43
396:M1 Garand
340:M1 Garand
307:In 1906,
285:Remington
132:M1 Garand
81:into the
79:cartridge
969:Firearms
931:Archived
758:See also
696:L1A1 SLR
691:Glock 17
659:Examples
601:magazine
547:Glock 18
504:shotguns
270:blowback
488:SIG Pro
461:bayonet
348:Rif War
254:rimfire
215:shotgun
176:Austria
117:pistols
87:trigger
83:chamber
870:
746:SVT-40
502:, and
500:rifles
426:AVS-36
423:Soviet
356:MAS-36
332:France
228:, the
130:, the
113:rifles
91:recoil
75:action
73:whose
751:TEC-9
686:CZ-75
479:Types
469:AK-47
352:Lebel
144:AR-15
124:M1911
926:Time
868:ISBN
549:, a
534:, a
421:The
374:and
264:and
256:and
158:The
115:and
99:bolt
95:bore
61:and
34:The
736:SKS
606:An
453:SKS
410:in
53:or
960::
923:.
845:.
498:,
428:,
283:,
198:.
119:.
111:,
45:A
876:.
57:(
20:)
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
