Shop for Semi Automatic online at GunBroker.com

Looking for semi-automatics? Here at GunBroker.com we believe that informed buyers are happier buyers. That's why we've put together this brief history of semi-automatic weapons, one of most impactful firearms innovations ever. Take a moment to read up on semi-automatic firearms before you head to our auction pages looking for your own. Or, if you're selling your own semi-automatic, feel free to use some of our information to build out your item's description and entice buyers.

Semi-Automatic History

Semi-automatics have been around since the 1880s but not in forms we may recognize today. Ferdinand Ritter von Mannlicher designed the first successful semi-automatic rifle in 1885, while famous gunsmith John Browning created a semi-automatic shotgun design just a few years later. Semi-automatic guns eliminate the need to manually cycle the weapon after firing it in order to be ready to fire again: semi automatic weapons perform all the steps required to get the gun ready to fire again, from extracting and ejecting the spent cartridge case to re-cocking and loading another cartridge into the chamber.

Semi-automatics differ from selective fire (or fully automatic) weapons only in that semi-automatics cannot continuously fire rounds without releasing and re-pressing the trigger. Semi-automatic pistols are the most common choice for law enforcement since they eclipsed revolvers in the late 20th century due to their more compact design and accuracy. Semi-automatic rifles have become the established choice for infantry around the world and semi-automatic shotguns are popular tactical weapons. While semi-automatic firearms are popular among civilian shooters as well they can fall under sanctions in certain countries or states.

Semi-Automatics for Sale Today

Today semi-automatic weapons are an integral piece of the firearms landscape. Their faster firing ability and wide variety of models and calibers make them one of the defining technological advances in the history of firearms. Now that you've read up on semi-automatic history you can head to our auction pages to find your own semi-automatic pistols, rifles and shotguns. Remember that if you don’t see exactly what you're looking for today to check back later. Our auction listings update every day and sometimes every hour and the item you're looking for is bound to come up sooner rather than later.