single-action

[sing-guhl-ak-shuhn]

adjective

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

   a single-action revolver.

single-action

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of single-action¹

First recorded in 1850–55

Example Sentences

Baldwin was sitting on a pew in a rustic church, slowly pulling his single-action Colt .45 revolver from his leather shoulder holster and pointing it toward the camera.

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The “Rust” weapons and ammunition provider, Seth Kenney, testified during a deposition last year that the gun — an Italian-made pistol designed to look like a vintage 1873 single-action revolver — was fully functional when he sent it to the production.

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“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.

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An FBI ballistics expert also tested the weapon — a replica of a vintage .45 Colt single-action revolver made by weapons manufacturer Pietta.

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

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