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single-action

American  
[sing-guhl-ak-shuhn] / ˈsɪŋ gəlˈæk ʃən /

adjective

  1. (of a firearm) requiring the cocking of the hammer before firing each shot.

    a single-action revolver.


single-action British  

noun

  1. (modifier) (of a firearm) requiring the hammer to be cocked by hand before firing

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of single-action

First recorded in 1850–55

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“Upon reassembly, the evidence revolver was found to function properly and in accordance with the operational design of original Colt 1873 single-action revolvers,” wrote Haag, who owns Arizona-based Forensic Science Services Inc.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 15, 2023

A single-action gun works by pulling back the hammer until it clicks in place and then squeezing the trigger to release the hammer.

From Slate • Jan. 27, 2023

In October, a weapons expert told Fox News Digital that since "Rust" is set in the 1880s, production could be using a single-action revolver appropriate for the time period.

From Fox News • Dec. 2, 2021

There is no “hatch” or “drum” on a Colt Peacemaker or any other single-action revolver.

From Washington Post • Oct. 29, 2021

According to the newspapers, the Remington single-action is the gunslinger’s pistol of choice, which makes it even more ace.

From "Dread Nation" by Justina Ireland

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