Double Action Edit Meaning

1.

"Double action" guns are much more common than single action- most semi-auto pistols are double-action, at least for the first shot.

That means that pulling back the slide on your semiauto pistol only chambers the round - it doesn't "cock back" the striker pin. Only when the trigger is pulled beyond "first stage" (halfway back) does the hammer/striker become cocked.

After that first shot, all other shots from the gun (until it is decocked, safety is activated, or you cycle through the rest of your ammo) are " single action," since the blowback from the previous shot provides the force to re-cock the weapon.

"My raps are double action, run the track from the back end" - Poppa Wu, "New Improved"

See action, single action, rifle, pistol, firearm