California Firearms Safety Certificates (CAFSC) Practice Exam

What type of firearm is referred to as a bolt action pistol?

1. Revolver

2. Single-shot pistol

3. Automatic pistol

4. Bolt action pistol

The correct answer is: Bolt action pistol

A bolt action pistol refers specifically to a type of firearm that operates with a manually actuated bolt mechanism to load and fire a round. In this system, the shooter pulls the bolt back to eject a spent cartridge and push a new cartridge into the chamber before firing again. This mechanism is commonly found in rifles but is less frequently seen in pistols, making a bolt action pistol a unique category within firearm classifications. Revolvers, single-shot pistols, and automatic pistols each represent different designs and operating principles. Revolvers utilize a rotating cylinder to hold multiple rounds, enabling successive firing with each pull of the trigger without needing to manually load a new round. Single-shot pistols require a manual reload after each shot, but they do not use a bolt action mechanism. Automatic pistols, which include semi-automatics, use the energy of the fired cartridge to cycle the action and load the next round, whereas a bolt action pistol relies entirely on the user's action to cycle the bolt. Thus, the definition and operation of a bolt action pistol distinctly identify it as the selected answer.