HUNTINGsmart! USA Knowledge Base

Module 04 - SHOTGUNS 101

THE FIRING CYCLE OF A BREAK ACTION SHOTGUN

See how it works:

Illustration of a double and single barrel break action shotgun.

  • Break action shotguns can have single or double barrels, single or double triggers, and the double barrel type can be side-by-side or over-under. They can also be constructed with or without an extractor and they can have both internal and external hammers. These variations will change the way they fire and function! Know your shotgun.

Illustration of the inside of a double barrel break action shotgun with two shotshells being loaded into the chambers.

  • Generally, the shells are loaded directly into the chamber.

Illustration of the inside of a loaded double barrel break action shotgun.

  • Then, the safety must be turned ‘OFF’.

Illustration of the firing pin striking and firing the ammunition in a break action shotgun.

  • When the trigger is pulled, the sear pushes upwards and activates the hammer and firing pin, which then strikes the ammunition and fires the shotgun
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