Definition

Noun: A repeating firearm is a type of gun designed to fire multiple bullets (rounds) in succession without the need for manual reloading after each shot. This is achieved through an internal mechanism that automatically chambers a new round from a magazine or cylinder.

Usage

The term is used to classify and describe firearms based on their reloading mechanism. It distinguishes these weapons from single-shot firearms, which must be reloaded manually after every discharge. - The Winchester Model 1873, a famous repeating firearm, revolutionized the American West. - Modern militaries primarily use repeating firearms like assault rifles.

Advanced Usage

• The concept is foundational in firearms history and technology. The transition from single-shot to repeating firearms represented a major increase in firepower and changed military and civilian tactics.
• While often associated with rifles (e.g., lever-action, bolt-action, semi-automatic), the category also includes repeating pistols and shotguns.

Variants and Related Words

• Repeater: A common synonym for a repeating firearm.
• Magazine: The ammunition storage device that feeds a repeating firearm.
• Semi-automatic firearm: A specific type of repeating firearm that fires one round per trigger pull and automatically chambers the next, but is not fully automatic.
• Automatic firearm / Machine gun: A repeating firearm that continues to fire as long as the trigger is held.

Synonyms

• Repeater
• Magazine-fed firearm

Antonyms

• Single-shot firearm
• Muzzleloader

Related Phrases

• "Capable of sustained fire": A phrase describing the effect of using a repeating firearm.
• "Rapid-fire weapon": A general term often encompassing repeating firearms with a high rate of fire.

Noun

1. a firearm that can fire several rounds without reloading