What Is the Open Bolt Position?

An open-bolt firearm rests with the bolt near the rear of the firearm.

Firearms aren't distinguished only between bolt action, automatic and semi-automatic. They can also be classified as an open-bolt or closed-bolt firearm. Before you buy a weapon, make sure you know what an open-bolt firearm does, as well as its pros and cons.

Basics

A firearm that fires when the bolt is near the back of the weapon is called a "open-bolt" firearm. The bolt moves forward when you pull the trigger, pushing a bullet into the chamber. This is different from a closed-bolt firearm, in which the bolt stays forward against the bullet.

Pros and Cons

Open-bolt firearms operate with fewer moving parts than a closed-bolt firearm, which saves on cost when the firearm is manufactured. Also, the open-bolt system allows automatic weapons to remain cooler. This keeps the firearm from firing randomly because of heat buildup. Alternatively, an open-bolt firearm might fire if you drop it. Also, if part of the bolt system fails, it might cause the gun to fire uncontrollably.

Types

Both automatic and semi-automatic firearms can be of either the open-bolt of closed-bolt type. Some might even be of a mixed type. Paintball guns also come in both the open- and closed-bolt types.

References

• Academic Dictionaries and Encyclopedias: Open Bolt
• WarPig: Where's the Bolt?