A semi-automatic pistol (also called a self-loading pistol, autopistol, or autoloading pistol[1]) is a handgun that automatically ejects and loads cartridges in its chamber after every shot fired. Only one round of ammunition is fired each time the trigger is pulled, as the pistol's fire control group disconnects the trigger mechanism from the firing pin/striker until the trigger has been released and reset.[2]
A semi-automatic pistol recycles part of the energy released by the propellant combustion to move its bolt, which is usually housed inside the slide. After a round of ammunition is fired, the spent cartridge casing is extracted and ejected as the slide/bolt moves rearwards under recoil, the hammer/striker is cocked by the slide/bolt movement, and a new round from the magazine is pushed into the chamber when the slide/bolt returns forward under spring tension. This sets up the following shot, which is fired as soon as the trigger is pulled again.[3] Most pistols use a short recoil operation to perform this, but some pistols use simple blowback or gas operation mechanisms.[4]
Most types of semi-automatic pistols rely on a removable box magazine to provide ammunition, which is usually inserted into the grip.[5] However, some pistols are based on receiver-style designs similar to existing semi-automatic rifles, and thus have the magazine inserted separately from the grip.[citation needed]
- ^ "Semiautomatic pistol | weapon".
- ^ Kinard, Jeff (23 November 2004). Pistols: An Illustrated History of Their Impact. ABC-CLIO. ISBN 978-1-85109-470-7.
- ^ Brown, Edmund G. (2009). Handgun Safety Certificate. West Sacramento, California: California Department of Justice. p. 52.
- ^ Haskew, Michael E. (20 April 2017). Rifles & Muskets: From 1450 to the present day. Amber Books Ltd. ISBN 978-1-78274-268-5.
- ^ Monturo, Chris (15 June 2019). Forensic Firearm Examination. Academic Press. ISBN 978-0-12-814540-1.