slideaction

Slide action, often called pump-action, is a repeating firearm mechanism operated manually by sliding the forend (the fore-end) along the barrel. In this design, the movement of the forend activates a bolt or carrier, which unlocks, extracts, and ejects a spent cartridge, then chambers a fresh round from the magazine as the forend returns forward. The cycle typically also re-cocks the hammer or striker, readying the weapon to fire again.

Operation centers on a linkage between the sliding forend and the action. As the forend moves rearward, the bolt is unlocked and the spent case is ejected. As the forend returns forward, a spring pushes the bolt to the forward position, chambering a new cartridge and locking the action. This arrangement allows the shooter to cycle rounds quickly with a single motion, relying on repeated manual movement rather than gas or recoil.

Slide-action designs are most commonly associated with shotguns, where the pump-action is valued for reliability, ruggedness, and compatibility with a wide range of ammunition. They are also found in some rifles and historic firearms, though the term is predominantly used for shotguns. Notable examples include the Winchester Model 1897 and Model 12, Ithaca Model 37, Remington 870, and Mossberg 500. These platforms are widely used in hunting, sport shooting, and law enforcement due to their endurance in adverse conditions and straightforward maintenance.

Compared with semi-automatic actions, slide-action firearms require a deliberate pumping motion and typically have fewer cycling constraints from ammunition power or fouling, at the cost of slower sustained fire. Maintenance focuses on clean and proper lubrication of the bolt, forend linkage, and magazine assembly.