Pulttilukko

Pulttilukko, often translated as bolt action, is a type of firearm action where the bolt, a solid piece of metal that locks the cartridge into the chamber, is manually operated by the shooter. This operation involves rotating the bolt handle upwards to unlock it, then pulling it rearwards to extract the spent casing, and finally pushing it forwards and rotating it downwards to chamber a new round and lock the action. This sequential movement is the defining characteristic of a bolt-action firearm.

The bolt itself typically contains the firing pin, extractor, and ejector mechanisms. When the bolt is closed and locked, it seals the breech, allowing the firearm to be safely fired. The manual operation of the bolt allows for a strong and reliable lockup, which is crucial for handling the high pressures generated during firing, especially in rifle cartridges. This makes bolt-action firearms very accurate.

Bolt-action firearms are commonly found in rifles, particularly for hunting, sport shooting, and military applications where reliability and accuracy are paramount. While they are slower to operate than semi-automatic or fully automatic actions, their simplicity, robustness, and inherent accuracy have ensured their continued popularity and use. The design has remained largely unchanged for over a century, a testament to its effectiveness.