breakaction

Breakaction refers to a class of firearm actions in which the barrel or barrels are mounted on a hinge connected to the receiver and break away from it to expose the breech. The action is opened by pivoting the barrels around a hinge, allowing loading and unloading and then closing to fire. Break-action designs are simple and reliable, with few parts that can fail when clean. They can be single-shot, or multi-shot; the most common multi-shot break-actions are double-barrel shotguns, configured as over-under (two barrels one above the other) or side-by-side (two barrels parallel). Some break-action rifles and combination guns exist as well.

To load, the barrel(s) are broken open, cartridges are inserted into the chambers, and the action is closed; closing the gun often cocks the firing mechanism so it is ready to fire. Many models are equipped with extractors or ejectors to remove spent shells when opened again. Safety features vary, but most include a manual safety that prevents firing when engaged and a mechanism that ensures the action is fully closed before firing is possible.

Break-action firearms are widely used for hunting and sport shooting due to their balance, portability, and straightforward maintenance. They allow easy caliber changes and quick cleaning, and their simple lock-up tends to be robust. Limitations include slower reloading compared with magazine-fed designs and typically limited ammunition capacity, particularly in traditional double-barreled configurations. Despite these trade-offs, break-action guns remain common in many shooting disciplines and enjoy a long history in many regions.