SingleShot

Singleshot is a term used in several domains to denote a single instance of release, firing, or execution before reload, reset, or repetition. It is often written as single-shot in some contexts, but the core idea remains the same: one event per cycle.

In firearms, a single-shot firearm is designed to fire only one cartridge before requiring manual reloading. Common mechanisms include break-action, falling-block, or bolt-action designs. Such guns have no detachable magazines or feeding devices. Advantages include mechanical simplicity, inherent reliability, and low cost; disadvantages include slower rate of fire and less versatility. Single-shot rifles and shotguns are used in hunting, sport shooting, and historical reenactment.

In film and video production, a single-shot can refer to a shot produced in one continuous take, also called a long take or one-shot sequence. This technique emphasizes real-time action and planning, often involving choreographed movement or hidden transitions to maintain continuity.

In medicine, single-shot (single-dose) formulations describe vaccines or therapies administered as one dose rather than multiple injections or boosters. They are favored for convenience and adherence, though effectiveness depends on immunogenicity and dosing schedules vary by indication.

In software development, single-shot commonly describes actions intended to occur only once, such as a timer that fires a single time (for example, a timer’s singleShot mode) or an event that is not repeated.