Did you know that 3 in 10 US households own a firearm today? Gun ownership is your right as an American.
Rifles are perfect for hunting, sport, and home defense. If you want the best rifles for your purpose, the key lies in choosing the right type. With so many types of rifles available today, it can be difficult to know where to start.
Fortunately, we’ve done some of the legwork for you. This helpful guide outlines the different types of rifles manufactured by the gun industry today.
Read on for all you need to know.
Bolt Action Rifles
Bolt action rifles use a manual handle to load each round. They’re simple, to the point, and are one of the most simple and reliable guns around. Even after more than a century, the bolt action rifle remains one of the most popular types of firearms.
When you push it forward, the bolt takes up a new round and chambers it, ready to fire. Bring it back after a shot, and the empty cartridge ejects. The bolt spins slightly to achieve full lockup, forming an airtight seal in the chamber, ready for firing.
Bolt action rifles are popular among hunters and target shooters, especially when combined with weapon optics and scope mounts.
Pump Rifles
Pump-action Rifles, often known as slide-action rifles, are relatively obscure. However, this system is used by several classics, including the Remington Model 12 and the Winchester Model 62.
To operate a pump-action rifle, the shooter moves the forestock back and forth, with spent shells withdrawn and discharged during the backward cycle.
Pushing it forward again chambers a new round and locks everything pressure-tight in the full-forward configuration.
Lever Action Rifles
lever-action rifles are more mechanically complex than they look. These guns provide a powerful nostalgic experience. The West was won with lever-action designs, but modern manufacturers continue to create outstanding new models.
When you cock a lever-action rifle, a handle ring swings down, away from the weapon, beneath the trigger and stock. This opens the action while ejecting empty shells from the chamber.
When you reverse the action, the bolt snaps forward, picking up any ammo in the magazine below.
Semi-Automatic Rifles
Semi-automatic weapons utilize the energy or gas produced by each shot then use it to camber the next round without the shooter having to pull a lever, bolt, or pump. Shot cycling is quick, but each discharge requires a single trigger pull.
The design of modern semi-automatic rifles varies greatly. These rifles are available in various configurations, including classic gas and piston-driven versions.
Other semi-automatic rifles perform the job for you by harnessing the energy of recoil or the blowback mechanism seen in rimfires.
Types of Rifles You Need to Know About
We hope this guide has been an informative introduction to the types of rifles that exist today.
Gun ownership is all about finding the right firearm for your needs. Whether you want a gun for hunting, sport, or home defense, a rifle could be the ideal weapon for you.
Did you enjoy this article? If so, check out the rest of our blog for more firearm essentials, plus a huge range of other topics.
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