Repeating Rifle

Definition

A repeating rifle is a single-barreled firearm that can fire several rounds before needing to be reloaded. It uses a manual action to load fresh cartridges into the chamber.

Analogy

Think of the repeating rifle as your school vending machine. You put in money (the ammunition), make a selection (pulling the trigger), and out comes your snack (the bullet). Just like you can get multiple snacks without having to refill the machine each time, a repeating rifle allows for multiple shots before reloading.

Related terms

Breech-loading Rifle: This is a firearm where the cartridge or shell is inserted or loaded into a chamber integral to the rear portion of a barrel.

Lever-action Rifle: This type of firearm uses a lever located around the trigger guard area to load fresh cartridges into the chamber of the barrel when worked by hand.

Bolt-action Rifle: A type of firearm which is operated by manually manipulating the bolt directly via a handle, which is most commonly placed on right-hand side of weapon.