GunWiki: Straight Pull Bolt Action Rifles

In 1824 the first bolt-action rifle was created courtesy of German firearms inventor Johann Nikolaus von Dreyse. Most of us are familiar with the concept of a bolt-action, but as it turns out there is more than one type of bolt gun. Although it is not a new design, it’s only been in recent years straight pull bolt action rifles have seen production in the United States. If you’re wondering what exactly a straight-pull rifle is, you’re not alone.

The first bolt-action rifles, Needle guns, created by German firearms inventor Johann Nikolaus von Dreyse.
The first bolt-action rifles, Needle guns, were created by German firearms inventor Johann Nikolaus von Dreyse. (Photo credit: historical archives)

How Long Have Straight Pull Rifles Been Around?

It’s been 200 years since bolts arrived on the gun scene, but it took some time before they evolved into straight-pull rifles. In the European market, they saw production toward the end of the 19th century; here in the United States, they did not see much use until the Browning T-bolt .22 LR arrived in 1965. In the years since then, there still haven’t been many new straight-pull rifles on the market, but ever so often they do come along. As a matter of fact, the design appears to be seeing a small rise in popularity today, with a handful of manufacturers launching their own models.

Schematic of Johann Nikolaus von Dreyse's bolt-action design.
Schematic of Johann Nikolaus von Dreyse’s bolt-action design. (Photo credit: bevfitchett.us)

How Does a Straight Pull Work?

In order to understand how a straight pull action works, it helps to know how bolt-actions work in general. Conventional bolt-action rifles have a rotating bolt that requires you to axially rotate the handle upward prior to pulling the bolt back. Pulling the bolt back opens the breech, ejecting a spent cartridge; pushing it forward again loads the next cartridge so the gun is ready to fire. The bolt handle must be turned downward again to lock the action back in place so it is possible to shoot the gun.

So, a conventional bolt requires four movements—lifting the handle, pulling it back, pushing it forward, and turning the handle back down. Straight pulls only require two movements because the design removes the need to turn a handle up and down in order to move the bolt in and out. Basically, a straight pull rifle is a simpler platform with fewer moving parts. The reduced movements are nice because they make chambering and ejecting cartridges faster and more efficient. That makes follow-up shots quicker and translates to fewer big movements on the shooter’s part, which is an especially nice feature for hunters.

Are Straight Pull Rifles Better?

Saying a straight pull rifle is “better” is simply a matter of opinion, but it is accurate to say they provide certain benefits over conventional bolt-action rifles. For example, if you shoot a straight pull rather than a standard bolt, these might be some of the pros:

  • Economy of motion
  • Increased speed of follow-up shots
  • Simpler platform
  • Fewer moving parts
  • Easier to clear failures to eject
  • Bolt typically doesn’t lock up like standard bolts sometimes do
  • More straightforward functionality (literally)
  • Less strength and dexterity needed for operation
The Savage Impulse is a 2022 model straight pull action rifle. (Photo credit: Savage Arms)
The Savage Impulse is a 2022 model straight pull action rifle. (Photo credit: Savage Arms)

Who Makes Straight Pull Rifles?

Quite a few companies manufacture straight pull rifles. The European gun makers still have the market cornered, somewhat, but more American companies are coming out with them as well.

European models include:

  • Heym SR-30
  • Blaser R8 and R93
  • Mauser 96
  • Merkel RX Helix
  • Roessler Titan 16
  • Browning T-Bolt
  • Browning Maral

American manufacturers and European manufacturers with factories in the United States now producing guns include the following models:

  • Savage Arms Impulse
  • Beretta BRX1
The Savage Impulse Hog Hunter in 308 Win is part of the gun maker's new for 2022 straight pull bolt action rifle line.
The Savage Impulse Hog Hunter in 308 Win is part of the gun maker’s new-for-2022 straight pull bolt action rifle line. (Photo credit: Savage Arms)

What is the Savage Impulse?

The Savage Impulse is a straight pull bolt action rifle model launched by the manufacturer for 2022. It’s the first rifle of this design to hit the American market from an American gun maker in recent years, which makes it noteworthy. Within the Impulse line, there are four models: Hog Hunter, Big Game, Predator, and Elite Precision. For discussion’s sake, let’s focus on the Hog Hunter. Savage lists the following features for their Impulse Hog Hunter chambered in 308 Win:

  • Straight-pull rifle
  • Matte black aluminum receiver and carbon steel barrel
  • OD Green AccuStock with AccuFit adjustable length-of-pull and comb height
  • User-adjustable AccuTrigger
  • Medium contour, threaded barrel (5/8-24″)
  • Round knob bolt handle
  • Flush-fit detachable box magazine
  • 1-Piece 20 MOA rail machined into the receiver

Other models of the Savage Impulse Hog Hunter are available in 30-06 Springfield, 300 Win Mag, and 6.5 Creedmoor. Straight pull rifles like these are gaining traction here in the United States, so it would not be at all surprising to see more such models launched in the coming years.

The Beretta BRX1 is a straight pull rifle.
The Beretta BRX1 is a straight pull rifle. (Photo credit: Beretta)
 
 

Should You Get a Straight Pull Rifle?

 
Although gun selection is an individual choice that comes down to preferences and usage, straight pull rifles do have a lot to recommend them as additions to your gun collection. For hunters, the fact that they take less movement to operate is a big bonus because it means there is less chance of an animal seeing you cycling your rifle. Precision shooters can benefit from the added stability that comes with not having to move the rifle around so much to operate it. And, of course, these guns are a solid option for rifle shooters in general for the reasons listed above, among others.
 
Also, take into consideration the fact that the more platforms you’re familiar with running, the better you function as an all-around shooter. There’s something to be said for being able to accurately operate and fire any gun you’re handed. Improving a skill with straight pull bolt action rifles can also enhance skills with conventional bolt-actions and semi-automatic platforms.
 
Do you have a straight pull rifle? Are you interested in getting one? Why or why not?
Kat Ainsworth Stevens is a long-time outdoor writer, official OGC (Original Gun Cognoscenti), and author of Handgun Hunting: a Comprehensive Guide to Choosing and Using the Right Firearms for Big and Small Game. Der Teufel Katze has written for a number of industry publications (print and online) and edited some of the others, so chances are you've seen or read her work before, somewhere. A woman of eclectic background and habits, Kat has been carrying concealed for over two decades, used to be a farrier, and worked for a long time in emergency veterinary medicine. She prefers big bores, enjoys K9 Search & Rescue, and has a Master's Degree in Pitiless Snarkastic Delivery.

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2 thoughts on “GunWiki: Straight Pull Bolt Action Rifles

  1. Uh, there’s not much simple about most straight pull bolt actions. Go disassemble one, if you don’t believe me. Then compare it to the disassembly of a regular turn bolt. The reason the turn bolt took over in the first place was better durability, stronger action and bolt, and a simple inexpensive design. I would much rather have steel lugs keeping my bolt locked closed than the idiotic locking ball bearings that Savage uses on their new straight pull rifle. While a Blaser R8 should have few accuracy problems induced by a poor trigger, just watching the disassembly on YouTube gives me a headache with all the pins, screws, small pieces, etc, that are part of the tear down. If they designed it more like an AR-10 bolt without the gas port, I might agree with you; however, most straight-pull bolt actions are anything but simple and durable. In the meantime, if you put speed over durability, go get a lever action rifle with a box magazine and you’ll have fewer headaches at a better price.

  2. Forget all this new stuff, get a K31. They are accurate, dependable, built tough as can be, and best of all….affordable!!!! What more could you ask for????

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