bolt-action
adjective
bolt-ac·tion
ˈbōlt-ˈak-shən 
of a firearm
: loaded by means of a manually operated bolt
Examples of bolt-action in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The two could hear the bolt-action rifle and the sizzling sound of lead ripping through the air.
—
Danielle Bacher, Peoplemag, 28 Aug. 2023
That early bolt-action slug gun has since evolved into the 12 gauge Model 212 and 20 gauge Model 220.
—Tony Hansen, Outdoor Life, 22 June 2023
During a search in April of the home Teixeira shared with his mother and stepfather in Dighton, FBI agents found a gun locker about two feet from his bed containing handguns, bolt-action rifles, shotguns, an AK-style high-capacity weapon, and a gas mask, according to court filings.
—Travis Andersen, BostonGlobe.com, 21 June 2023
Fritz accomplished this goal by combining benchrest bolt-action rifle technology with a rifled shotgun barrel.
—Tony Hansen, Outdoor Life, 22 June 2023
During a search in April of the Dighton home Teixeira shared with his mother and stepfather, FBI agents found a gun locker about two feet from his bed containing handguns, bolt-action rifles, shotguns, an AK-style high-capacity weapon, and a gas mask, according to court filings.
—Shelley Murphy, BostonGlobe.com, 21 June 2023
During a search last month of the Dighton home Teixeira shares with his mother and stepfather, FBI agents found a gun locker about two feet from his bed containing handguns, bolt-action rifles, shotguns, an AK-style high-capacity weapon, and a gas mask, according to court filings.
—Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 12 May 2023
This is an impressive debut for Daniel Defense, which is a newcomer to the high-end bolt-action rifle scene.
—John B. Snow, Field & Stream, 4 May 2023
Because of their manual nature, bolt-action guns are accurate but slow to fire.
—Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 15 Apr. 2023
See More
Danielle Bacher, Peoplemag, 28 Aug. 2023
That early bolt-action slug gun has since evolved into the 12 gauge Model 212 and 20 gauge Model 220.
—Tony Hansen, Outdoor Life, 22 June 2023
During a search in April of the home Teixeira shared with his mother and stepfather in Dighton, FBI agents found a gun locker about two feet from his bed containing handguns, bolt-action rifles, shotguns, an AK-style high-capacity weapon, and a gas mask, according to court filings.
—Travis Andersen, BostonGlobe.com, 21 June 2023
Fritz accomplished this goal by combining benchrest bolt-action rifle technology with a rifled shotgun barrel.
—Tony Hansen, Outdoor Life, 22 June 2023
During a search in April of the Dighton home Teixeira shared with his mother and stepfather, FBI agents found a gun locker about two feet from his bed containing handguns, bolt-action rifles, shotguns, an AK-style high-capacity weapon, and a gas mask, according to court filings.
—Shelley Murphy, BostonGlobe.com, 21 June 2023
During a search last month of the Dighton home Teixeira shares with his mother and stepfather, FBI agents found a gun locker about two feet from his bed containing handguns, bolt-action rifles, shotguns, an AK-style high-capacity weapon, and a gas mask, according to court filings.
—Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 12 May 2023
This is an impressive debut for Daniel Defense, which is a newcomer to the high-end bolt-action rifle scene.
—John B. Snow, Field & Stream, 4 May 2023
Because of their manual nature, bolt-action guns are accurate but slow to fire.
—Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 15 Apr. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bolt-action.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1896, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near bolt-action
Cite this Entry
“Bolt-action.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bolt-action. Accessed 4 Dec. 2023.
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