An automatic rifle is a type of magazine-fed rifle that utilizes either its recoil or a portion of the gas propelling the projectile to operate its action. And, to remove the spent cartridge case, cock the rifle, load a new cartridge and fire again repeatedly, as long as the trigger is held down or until the magazine is exhausted. Most automatic rifles are select-fire weapons which are capable of firing in both full-automatic and semi-automatic (ie. firing one shot every time the trigger is pulled). This select-fire capability, as well as the use of detachable magazines and rifle ammunition, differentiate it from other classes of automatic firearms such as the machine gun and submachine gun.
Famous quotes containing the words automatic and/or rifle:
“What we learn for the sake of knowing, we hold; what we learn for the sake of accomplishing some ulterior end, we forget as soon as that end has been gained. This, too, is automatic action in the constitution of the mind itself, and it is fortunate and merciful that it is so, for otherwise our minds would be soon only rubbish-rooms.”
—Anna C. Brackett (1836–1911)
“At Hayes’ General Store, west of the cemetery, hangs an old army rifle, used by a discouraged Civil War veteran to end his earthly troubles. The grocer took the rifle as payment ‘on account.’”
—Administration for the State of Con, U.S. public relief program (1935-1943)