Semi-automatic rifle
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A semi-automatic rifle is a type of rifle that, each time the trigger is pulled, fires a single bullet without the need to operate a bolt or other firing or loading mechanism other than the trigger, until the firearm's supply of cartridges is depleted. They are also commonly known as self-loading rifles ('SLR'), though there are semi-automatic rifles that are not self-loading.
It is distinguished from a fully automatic rifle in that it can only fire once each time the trigger is pulled. Note that depending on context, an automatic rifle may refer to a semi-automatic/SLR rifle.
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.
For example, it is possible in the U.S. to purchase a semi-automatic M60 machine gun, but the internals are extensively modifed to the point new parts and expert machining would be needed to convert it to fully automatic fire. Because it is semi-automatic, it is usually governed by the same rules as other rifles (though these rules vary considerably).
Types of semi-automatic rifles, by country and/or designer
Commercial semi-automatic rifles
- Belgium:
- *Browning
- USA:
- *Remington
- *Winchester
- *Stevens
- *Beretta
- *Kel-Tec
Military semi-automatic rifles (and commercial derivatives)
- Belgium
- *FN 1949
- *FN FAL (has both semi-automatic and fully automatic variants)
- People's Republic of China:
- *Type 56
- Czechoslovakia
- *ZH-29
- Egypt:
- *Hakim Rifle
- *Rasheed Carbine
- France:
- *MAS-49
- Germany:
- *Gewehr 43
- *H&K G3 (has both semi-automatic and fully automatic variants)
- Poland
- *kbsp wz.38M
- Russia:
- *Simonov
- **SKS Carbine
- *Tokarev
- **SVT-40
- Sweden:
- *AG-42 Ljungman
- United States:
- *Johnson M1941
- *M1 Garand
- *M1 Carbine
- *M1A Rifle (Civilian version of the M14 (rifle))
- *AR-15 Rifle
- *DSA Arms SA58 (License-built civilian semi-automatic only variant of the FN FAL)
- Yugoslavia
- *Zastava M76
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