Falling block action

Falling block action

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Falling block action

Ruger No. 1 single-shot rifle falling-block rifle with action open

A falling-block action (also known as a sliding-block action) is a single-shot firearm action in which a solid metal breechblock slides vertically in grooves cut into the breech of the rifle and actuated by a lever.

When in the top position, it is locked and resists the force of recoil while sealing the chamber. In the lower position, it leaves the chamber open to be loaded by a cartridge from the rear. After loading, the lever returns the block to the top position to lock the breech in place to seal the chamber.

Rifles using this action include the Sharps rifle, Krag-Petersson, Ballard rifle, Farquharson rifle, 1890 Stevens, Sharps-Borchardt Model 1878, and Ruger No. 1. Falling-block action military rifles were common in the 19th century. They were replaced for military use by the faster bolt action rifles, which could reload from a magazine. Falling-block action rifles are still manufactured and used for hunting and target shooting.

The falling-block action is closely related to the Peabody action, used in the Martini-Henry rifle, which uses a pivoting rather than a sliding block.