self-cocking

A hunter carries a self-cocking rifle through the woods.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Firearms mechanism: "self-cocking" describes a type of firearm action in which the hammer or firing pin is automatically cocked (placed in a ready-to-fire position) by the movement of the slide or bolt, typically during the cycle of loading or firing a cartridge. This eliminates the need for the user to manually cock the firearm before each shot.
   • General mechanics: In a broader sense, it refers to any mechanical device that automatically sets its own trigger or cocking mechanism without manual intervention.

Usage Examples

• Firearms context:

  • The new pistol features a self-cocking mechanism that allows for faster follow-up shots. (The gun automatically cocks itself after each shot, making it easier to fire rapidly.)
  • Many modern semi-automatic rifles are self-cocking, reducing the effort required from the shooter. (The rifle's action cocks the hammer automatically.)

• General mechanics:

  • This crossbow has a self-cocking system that uses a crank to draw the string without manual effort. (The device cocks itself automatically using a mechanical aid.)

Advanced Usage

• "self-cocking action": the specific mechanical process by which a firearm or tool cocks itself.

  • The self-cocking action of the revolver allows the trigger pull to be lighter and smoother. (The internal mechanism cocks the hammer as part of the trigger pull.)

• "self-cocking hammer": a hammer in a firearm that is automatically raised to the cocked position during the cycle of operation.

  • In a self-cocking hammer design, the hammer is not manually thumbed back. (The hammer is automatically set by the gun's movement.)

Variants and Related Words

• Cock (verb): to set the hammer or firing pin of a firearm in a ready-to-fire position.

  • He cocked the rifle before aiming. (He manually prepared the gun to fire.)

• Cocking (noun): the act or process of setting a firearm's hammer or firing pin.

  • The cocking of the shotgun required significant force. (The act of pulling back the hammer.)

• Self-cocker (noun): a firearm or device that is self-cocking.

  • This old revolver is a self-cocker, meaning you just pull the trigger to fire. (The gun cocks itself as part of the trigger pull.)

Synonyms

• Automatic cocking: a synonym emphasizing the automatic nature of the action.
• Self-priming: sometimes used for similar mechanisms in other tools, though less common for firearms.

Related Idioms

• Cocked and locked: a phrase describing a firearm that is ready to fire, with the hammer cocked and safety engaged.
  • The soldier kept his weapon cocked and locked during the patrol. (The gun was fully ready to fire but with the safety on.)

Additional Notes

• The term "self-cocking" is most frequently encountered in the context of firearms, especially double-action revolvers and semi-automatic pistols, where the trigger pull both cocks and releases the hammer. It contrasts with "single-action" firearms, where the hammer must be manually cocked before the trigger can be pulled.