Page 90 - FAT 105 4.17 MOODLE
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• The recoil energy from the bullet being
Recoil Operation forced through the barrel is transferred
back into the action. The lugs on the bar-
rel/slide and frame are pushed into each
The recoil operation action is similar to the other, forcing the chamber closed. The
blowback-style action in the respect that both breech will remain locked until the bullet
use energy from the discharging cartridge, but has left the barrel and the pressure inside
the recoil operation action utilizes a locking the bore has dropped. Once the case has
breech designed to handle more powerful car- deflated and released its friction lock
tridges. Recoil operation is based on Newton’s from the chamber, the recoil energy will
Third Law of Motion: For every action, there begin to drive the barrel and action rear-
is an equal and opposite reaction. The recoil ward, unlocking the chamber. Depending
operation-style action is used with pistols, rifles, on the specific model, the barrel and bolt/
and shotguns. slide may move together a long or short
distance before unlocking. (5)
With an empty and locked action, the cycle of
operations for a semi-automatic recoil opera- • The recoil energy will continue to drive
tion-style action firearm is as follows: the bolt/slide rearward (possibly still
• Depending on the specific model, the with the barrel). Depending on the
firearm is loaded, either directly into an model, the ejector may be part of the
internal fixed magazine or through a re- bolt or part of the frame/receiver. When
movable magazine. (1) the bolt/slide has reached the end of its
stroke, the ejector will kick the empty
• The operator must manipulate the ac- case from the breech. Simultaneously, the
tion by means of charging handle or bolt/slide will cock the hammer/striker.
slide. The charging handle/slide is pulled A new round will be fed in line with the
to the rear of the firearm, opening the bolt/slide. (6)
chamber and unlocking the breech and
cocking the hammer/striker. At the same • Again, the action spring will drive the
time, a fresh cartridge has been automat- bolt/slide forward, stripping a round
ically fed, in line with the bolt/slide. (2) from the magazine and driving it into
the chamber. The chamber will once
• The action spring will drive the bolt/ again lock. (7)
slide forward, stripping a round from the
magazine and driving it into the cham- • If the trigger is still being pressed, it
ber. Depending on the specific recoil must be released to the reset position in
action being employed, the chamber may order to fire the next round. If the trigger
lock in various ways. Lugs on the bolt/ was already reset, it can be pressed again
slide and receiver are common means of to fire the next round. (8)
locking the chamber. (3)
The main defining feature of the recoil-operat-
• The trigger is pressed, releasing the ed action is the recoiling barrel. Blowback and
hammer/striker and discharging the gas-operated actions all use fixed barrels and
round. (4) moving actions, while recoil-operated firearms
rely on the energy from the barrel recoiling to
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