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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.

See Examples For:

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

A recent FBI report found that the 45 Long Colt caliber F.LLI Pietta single-action revolver used by Mr. Baldwin on set would not and cannot fire without the trigger being pulled.

From Washington Times Aug. 21, 2022

If the single-action revolver was operating properly, it shouldn’t have fired without the trigger being pulled, said Harris, who is familiar with the type of weapon involved.

From Los Angeles Times Dec. 3, 2021

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

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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