From TheBestLinks.com
A semi-automatic rifle is a type of rifle that, when the trigger is pulled, fires a bullet and loads another cartridge from a magazine, without the need to operate a bolt or other loading mechanism. It is distinguished from fully automatic rifles in that it only fires once each time the trigger is pulled.
Semi-automatic weapons are sometimes divided into two categories. Those that fire from an open bolt and those that fire from a closed bolt. When the trigger is pulled, the open bolt flies forward, picking up a cartridge from the magazine and ramming it into the chamber and fires. The closed bolt system moves the bolt forward and picks up the cartridge at the end of the previous cycle, and when the trigger is pulled again, only the firing pin moves. The closed bolt system is generally more accurate, since the center of gravity changes very little in comparison.
The mechanisms used to achieve this automatic reload tend to be similar to those in automatic rifles. Many automatic rifles can be put into semi-automatic "modes of fire" (or, alternatively, some can be set to fire a three round burst). Similarly, some semi-automatic rifles are commonly believed to be easily converted to full automatic fire. Such perceived (but generally false, as well as highly illegal) easy conversions have attracted the attention of gun-control advocates, as nominally semi-automatic rifles are much more freely available than fully-automatic ones in many jurisdictions.
See also weapon, Garand
Types of Semi-automatic rifles, by country and/or designer:
Commercial Semi-automatic rifles:
Military Semi-automatic rifles (and commercial derivatives):
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