Falling block action

Falling block action

A falling-block action (also known as a sliding-block action) is a single-shot firearm action in which a solid metal breechblock slides vertically in grooves cut into the breech of the rifle and actuated by a lever.

When in the top position, it is locked and resists the force of recoil while sealing the chamber. In the lower position, it leaves the chamber open to be loaded by a cartridge from the rear. After loading, the lever returns the block to the top position to lock the breech in place to seal the chamber.

Rifles using this action include the Sharps rifle, Krag-Petersson, Ballard rifle, Farquharson rifle, 1890 Stevens, Sharps-Borchardt Model 1878, and Ruger No. 1. Falling-block action military rifles were common in the 19th century. They were replaced for military use by the faster bolt action rifles, which could reload from a magazine. Falling-block action rifles are still manufactured and used for hunting and target shooting.

The falling-block action is closely related to the Peabody action, used in the Martini-Henry rifle, which uses a pivoting rather than a sliding block.

ee also

*Bolt action
*Lever action
*Pump-action
*Break action
*Rolling block

References

External links

* [http://www.chuckhawks.com/falling_block_action.htm The Falling Block Action]
* [http://www.yostaction.com/ Yost Single Shot Schuetzen Action]


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем сделать НИР

Look at other dictionaries:

  • falling block — noun a single shot firearm action in which a solid metal breechblock slides vertically in grooves cut into the breech of the rifle and actuated by a lever …   Wiktionary

  • Action potential — In physiology, an action potential is a short lasting event in which the electrical membrane potential of a cell rapidly rises and falls, following a consistent trajectory. Action potentials occur in several types of animal cells, called… …   Wikipedia

  • Firearm action — In firearms terminology, an action is the system of operation used to load rounds and/or seal the breech. In many weapons a breechblock reciprocates in the receiver of the firearm. The term is also used for the physical parts inside the weapon… …   Wikipedia

  • Lever-action — is a type of firearm action which uses a lever located around the trigger guard area (often including the trigger guard itself) to load fresh cartridges into the chamber of the barrel when the lever is worked. One of the most famous lever action… …   Wikipedia

  • Action (piano) — The action of a piano is the mechanical assembly which translates the depression of the piano keys into a felt hammer striking the strings. The illustration to the right is of a circa 1907 Wessell, Nickel and Gross Upright action; the parts are… …   Wikipedia

  • Syobon action — Cat Mario The game s title screen Genre(s) Platform Syobon action しょぼんのアクション (also known as Cat Mario, dongs.exe, and …   Wikipedia

  • Break-action — A break action firearm is one whose barrels are hinged, and rotate perpendicular to the bore axis to expose the breech and allow loading and unloading of ammunition. A separate operation may be required for the cocking of a hammer to fire the new …   Wikipedia

  • List of Action League Now! episodes — This is a list of episodes from the action figure based short series Action League Now! . For the most part, the Action League Now! episodes listed here are in proper order, having been placed chronologically from date of airing. However, due to… …   Wikipedia

  • The Deconstruction of Falling Stars — Babylon 5 episode Episode no. Season 4 Episode 22 Directed by Stephen Furst Written by …   Wikipedia

  • Single-shot — This article is about firearms. For other uses, see Single Shot (disambiguation). Single shot firearms are firearms that hold only a single round of ammunition, and must be reloaded after each shot. The history of firearms began with single shot… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”