By GAT Daily Team - 2024

Ever catch a movie like Four Brothers and hear something about guns that makes you pause? Like when Mark Wahlberg calls the Beretta 93R’s three-shot burst a “triple action.” Hollywood tends to take creative liberties, and that’s one spot where their gun talk doesn’t quite hit the mark. So, what exactly is a triple-action revolver? Let’s chat about single, double, and even what a machine pistol action means, so you’ve got the full picture next time someone drops these terms around the campfire or at the range.

Single Action vs. Double Action: The Basics

First off, if you’re new to revolvers or just want a refresher, here’s the lowdown: a single-action revolver requires you to manually cock the hammer before each shot. Think classic cowboy style—pull the hammer back, then squeeze the trigger. On the flip side, a double-action revolver lets you fire by simply pulling the trigger, which both cocks and releases the hammer in one smooth motion. This makes double-action guns quicker to shoot in a pinch, but often with a heavier trigger pull.

The Myth of the Triple-Action

So, where does “triple action” fit into all this? Truth is, it doesn’t—at least not in any traditional firearms sense. The term isn’t recognized in shooting or gun-building communities. The Beretta 93R that Mark Wahlberg mentions is actually a machine pistol, capable of firing in semi-auto, three-round burst, or full-auto modes. Instead of “actions,” these are firing modes controlled by the selector switch, not by the trigger or hammer mechanics like in revolvers.

Machine Pistols: Continuous Action Explained

Machine pistols operate differently from revolvers. They’re designed for rapid fire, often with a selector that