recoil-operated
Kickback powers action
Recoil-operated describes a firearm mechanism that uses the rearward force of firing—the recoil—to cycle the action, ejecting the spent cartridge and chambering a new round.
Most semiautomatic pistols and many automatic weapons are recoil-operated: a recoil-operated submachine gun.
The alternative is gas-operated, which bleeds propellant gases to drive the action.
Compact one-handed firearm
- semi-automaticFires once, reloads itself
- handgunFirearm for single-hand use
- machine-gunRapid-fire automatic firearm
- shotgunLong gun firing shot
autoloader · Browning · Beretta · Glock · Maxim · self-loading · sidearm · carbine
Unintended negative consequences
- unlockingReleasing a secured closure
- cyclingRiding on two wheels
- reciprocatingMoving back and forth
- breechblockFirearm's rear-sealing mechanism
Product of mass, velocity
- kineticRelating to motion
- timingArt of choosing moments
- reliabilityConsistent, predictable performance
- maintenancePreserving working condition
lubrication · tolerances · extraction · ejection · feeding · chambering · lockup · headspace
pistol
Compact one-handed firearm
- semi-automaticFires once, reloads itself
- handgunFirearm for single-hand use
- machine-gunRapid-fire automatic firearm
shotgun · autoloader · Browning · Beretta · Glock · Maxim · self-loading · sidearm · carbine · belt-fed
blowback
Unintended negative consequences
- unlockingReleasing a secured closure
- cyclingRiding on two wheels
- reciprocatingMoving back and forth
momentum
Product of mass, velocity
- kineticRelating to motion
- timingArt of choosing moments
- reliabilityConsistent, predictable performance
maintenance · lubrication · tolerances · extraction · ejection · feeding · chambering · lockup · headspace