A semi-automatic rifle is an autoloading rifle that fires a single cartridge with each pull of the trigger and uses part of the fired cartridge's energy to eject the case and load another cartridge into the chamber. In contrast, a bolt-action rifle requires the user to cycle the bolt manually before they can fire a second time, and a fully automatic rifle fires continuously until the trigger is released.
In firearms terminology, an action is the functional mechanism of a breech-loading firearm that handles the ammunition cartridges, or the method by which that mechanism works. Actions are technically not present on muzzleloaders, as all those are single-shot firearms with a closed off breech with the powder and projectile manually loaded from the muzzle. Instead, the muzzleloader ignition mechanism is referred to as the lock.
A semi-automatic firearm, also called a self-loading or autoloading firearm, is a repeating firearm whose action mechanism automatically loads a following round of cartridge into the chamber and prepares it for subsequent firing, but requires the shooter to manually actuate the trigger in order to discharge each shot. Typically, this involves the weapon's action utilizing the excess energy released during the preceding shot to unlock and move the bolt, extracting and ejecting the spent cartridge case from the chamber, re-cocking the firing mechanism, and loading a new cartridge into the firing chamber, all without input from the user. To fire again, however, the user must actively release the trigger, and allow it to "reset", before pulling the trigger again to fire off the next round. As a result, each trigger pull only discharges a single round from a semi-automatic weapon, as opposed to a fully automatic weapon, which will shoot continuously as long as the ammunition is replete and the trigger is kept depressed.
The Benelli M4 is a semi-automatic shotgun produced by Italian firearm manufacturer Benelli Armi SpA, and the fourth and last model of the Benelli Super 90 line of semi-automatic shotguns. The M4 uses a proprietary action design called the "auto-regulating gas-operated" (ARGO) system, which was created specifically for the weapon. Designed in 1998, the M4 was adopted by the armed forces of Italy, the United States, and United Kingdom, among others, and has been used in a variety of conflicts.
A combat shotgun is a shotgun issued by militaries for warfare. The earliest shotguns specifically designed for combat were the trench guns or trench shotguns issued in World War I. While limited in range, the multiple projectiles typically used in a shotgun shell provide increased hit probability unmatched by other small arms.
The Saiga-12 is a shotgun available in a wide range of configurations, patterned after the Kalashnikov series of rifles and named after the Saiga antelope native to Russia. Like the Kalashnikov rifle variants, it is a rotating bolt, long-stroke gas piston operated firearm that feeds from a square magazine. All Saiga-12 configurations are recognizable as Kalashnikov-pattern guns by the large lever-safety on the right side of the receiver, the optic mounting rail on the left side of the receiver and the large top-mounted dust cover held in place by the rear of the recoil spring assembly. Saiga firearms are meant for civilian domestic sale in Russia, and export to international markets.
The Remington Model 11-87 is a semi-automatic shotgun manufactured by Remington Arms and based on the earlier Model 1100. Remington introduced Model 11–87 in 1987 and ceased production in 2020.
The Benelli M3 is a dual-mode shotgun designed and manufactured by Italian firearms manufacturer Benelli Armi SpA, and the third model of the Benelli Super 90 line of semi-automatic shotguns. The M3 holds a maximum of seven rounds and uses Benelli's proprietary inertia-driven action system first showcased in the M1. The M3 is notable for allowing the user to choose between semi-automatic or pump-action operation.
The Beretta 1201 FP is a semi-automatic shotgun, developed in the late 1980s or early 1990s by the Italian arms manufacturing company Fabbrica d'Armi Pietro Beretta. It was an upgrade to the preceding model, the Beretta 1200. The 1201 was manufactured in two versions, 1201F, intended for hunting and sporting, and the 1201FP, intended for law enforcement duties.
Benelli Armi S.p.A. is an Italian firearm manufacturer located in Urbino, Marche, Italy. Founded in 1967 as an offshoot of the Benelli motorcycle factory that sold motorcycles through Montgomery Ward, Benelli and Benelli USA have been owned by Pietro Beretta SpA since 2000. Benelli is well known for its shotguns popular with military, law enforcement, and civilians alike, especially its "Super 90" line of semi-automatic shotguns produced since 1986.
The KRISS Vector is a series of weapons based upon the parent submachine gun design developed by the American company KRISS USA, formerly Transformational Defense Industries (TDI).
Benelli Raffaello CrioComfort is the name of a semi-automatic shotgun. It is manufactured by Italian arms manufacturer Benelli Armi SpA.
The Benelli Raffaello semi-automatic shotgun is manufactured by Italian arms manufacturer Benelli Armi SpA.
The Fabarm FP6 is a pump-action combat shotgun that was manufactured by the Italian firearms company Fabbrica Bresciana Armi S.p.A. (FABARM) and sold by Heckler & Koch. It was intended for civilian and law enforcement use.
The Benelli Supernova is a pump action shotgun used for hunting, self-defense and law enforcement, made by Italian firearm manufacturer Benelli Armi SpA. The Supernova features a recoil reducer, which is attached to the interior of the stock, and raises the length of time that the shot's impulse is spread across, thus lowering felt recoil.
The Benelli Vinci is a semi-automatic shotgun manufactured and sold by Benelli Armi SpA. It uses an inertia-driven system of operation, and contains recoil-reducing features. It also features a modular design consisting of the barrel/receiver module, the trigger group/forearm module, and the buttstock. The shotgun was named after Leonardo da Vinci. It is Benelli's first shotgun to feature an in-line inertia-driven operating system. It is intended primarily for hunting, however, on March 15, 2012, Benelli tested the Vinci to NATO standards AC/225 (LG/3-SG/1) 2.5 in which the Vinci passed every test. The Vinci is capable of firing 2.75 or 3 inch shells, while the “Super Vinci” model is capable of firing 3.5 inch shells as well. According to Benelli, the Vinci was discontinued in 2019 and the Super Vinci in 2021. Since then, Benelli has removed the Vinci and Super Vinci from its USA website and US market as of late 2022.
The Benelli M2 is a semi-automatic shotgun manufactured by Benelli Armi, and the second model of the Benelli Super 90 line of semi-automatic shotguns. It is an updated version of the Benelli M1. Like its predecessor, it is available in several versions for civilian, law enforcement and military use. It features the proprietary Benelli inertia system of operation.
Recoil operation is an operating mechanism used to implement locked-breech autoloading firearms. Recoil operated firearms use the energy of recoil to cycle the action, as opposed to gas operation or blowback operation using the pressure of the propellant gas.
The Heckler & Koch HK 512 is a semi-automatic shotgun of Italian origin. It was developed and produced by Franchi at the request of Heckler & Koch, which took care of marketing and sales.
The Beretta 1301 is a gas-operated semi-automatic shotgun produced by Beretta, and imported by Beretta USA in the United States. The firearm has two separate designs. One is intended for tactical self-defense and law enforcement applications whereas the other is designed for target shooting sports. Despite its intended applications, it is often used by a minority of hunters and sporting clay shooters.
