What are the different rifle actions and their uses?

Elbert Gonzalez
Mar 31, 2022
3 min read

Updated: Sep 13, 2022

Some of you are probably trying to decide on a good rifle but you are not sure about the differences and why one option would be better than the other.

We are here to give you a little info about the basics and most common actions in the market these days.

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Let’s start with the Bolt action. This rifle action is probably one of the most common ones. It’s a manual action, it uses a handle that is lifted then pulled back and forward to release the empty cartridge and push the new round into the chamber.

This type of rifle was introduced in 1824 following work on breechloading rifles. The first bolt action rifle was used in combat in 1864 and is the sniper’s weapon during combat. In the civilian side is often used for hunting. This type of rifle can deliver a very lethal shot at a very long distance.

Some of the most popular companies that offer good options for hunting are:

-Ruger with the Ruger American Rifle Predator or the American Ranch

-The CZ 550 American 416 Rigby

-Winchester Model 70 Featherweight

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The Hinge action or Break action works just like a door hinge. By pressing a release button, the rifle opens, and the hinge rotate perpendicularly to the bore axis. The shooter then can remove the used cartridges and place the new ones.

This type of action is often seen with shotguns, single shot rifles and some revolvers.

The first break action rifle was patented in France and Britain in 1858 by Devisme, a highly skilled weapons maker based in France active from 1833 to 1886. Break action rifles were replaced by bolt action rifles and are not very common these days. But you can find a wide variety of shotguns with this type of action.

Some good and affordable break action shotguns are:

-Mossberg International Silver Reserve

-The Stevens Model 555

-CZ Bobwhite G2

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The Pump or Slide action rifle is operated manually by sliding the handguard rearward. Pump actions are commonly seen these days in shotguns and is widely used for home defense. This type of action is faster to operate than the bolt, lever and the break actions while shooting and reloading. But is limited to 20 meters or less. After 18 to 20 meters the target should be brought down.

Examples like the Mossberg 500 have been used by the police department, marine corps and the US Army during the Vietnam era as an alternative to the M16.

The first pump action was introduced by Colt in 1884 with the Colt Lightning designed by William H. Elliot, former Remington gunsmith.

Take a look at the Mossberg 590 https://youtu.be/TxmXi2oI1qA

Some good options for you to research are:

-Mossberg 500

-Remington 870

-Winchester SXP Defender

One of my favorites is the lever action. Those cool rifles that we see in the cowboy movies.

They became popular during the 1870’s but the first lever action was made between 1837 and 1841.

This type of action is manually operated with the cocking handle located around the trigger.

Lever actions have various uses like hunting, home defense, competitions and practicing.

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Survival gear gives a good list of options and how these action works.

Some great and powerful options are:

-Winchester 1894

-Marlin 1894

-Henry Repeating Arms 30-30

Finally, a very popular and condemned rifle these days. The semi-automatic or automatic rifles are self-loading rifles that can shoot one round every time you pull the trigger or a few rounds at a time when shooting on automatic like the M4 used in the US military and the police department. Very fast and in my opinion the very best option to defend yourself, your property and family.

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