Editing Repeating rifle (section)

=== Autoloading ===

==== Blowback ====
{{main|Blowback (arms)}}

In blowback operation, the bolt is not actually locked at the moment of firing. To prevent violent recoil, in most firearms using this mechanism the opening of the bolt is delayed in some way. In many small arms, the round is fired while the bolt is still travelling forward, and the bolt does not open until this forward momentum is overcome. Other methods involve delaying the opening until two rollers have been forced back into recesses in the receiver in which the bolt is carried. Simple blowback action is simple and inexpensive to manufacture, but is limited in the power it can handle, so it is seen on small caliber weapons such as [[machine pistol]]s and [[submachine gun]]s. [[Blowback (firearms)#Lever-delayed|Lever-delayed blowback]], as seen in for example the French [[FAMAS]] assault rifle, can also handle more powerful cartridges but is more complicated and expensive to manufacture.

==== Recoil-operated ====
{{main|Recoil operation}}
[[file:M1941.jpg|thumb|[[M1941 Johnson rifle]]]]

In a recoil-operated firearm, the breech is locked, and the barrel recoils as part of the firing cycle.  In long-recoil actions, such as the [[Browning Auto-5]] shotgun, the barrel and breechblock remain locked for the full recoil travel, and separate on the return; in short-recoil actions, typical of most semiautomatic handguns (e.g. the [[Colt M1911]]), the barrel recoils only a short distance before decoupling from the breechblock.

==== Gas-operated ====
{{main|Gas-operated reloading}}
[[file:FN-FAL_belgian.jpeg|thumb|[[FN FAL]] battle rifle]]

In a gas-operated mechanism, a portion of the gases propelling the bullet from the barrel are extracted and used to operate a piston. The motion of this piston in turn unlocks and operates the bolt, which performs extraction of the spent cartridge and via spring action readies the next round. Almost all modern military rifles use mechanisms of this type.