Whats the advantage of a Rotating Bolt Design?

It allowed a magazine rifle to have greater strength--which allowed higher-pressure cartridges and thus greater muzzle velocities. The simple design, with the absence of "monkey motion" linkages gave it greater reliability.

About the only improvement over the original Paul Mauser design is the fully-enclosed case-head. While the push-feed has its detractors, higher pressures are possible if one wishes to pay the penalty of faster throat erosion. This feature can make for greater safety for the shooter.

FWIW, Art
 
SFAIK, SodaPop. Traditional pistol cartridges don't operate at the high pressures which might justify such a design.

When you consider the relative sizes of the actions of handguns and rifles, I think the undue complexity would become obvious. And, they're so different, ergonomically, that it just wouldn't be feasible.

Art
 
The only pistol I know of that has a rotating bolt is the Desert Eagle, but that's a pretty unconventional design being gas operated and all.
 
Guys,

Not for certain, but seems to me that the old "Auto-Mag" pistols were of a rotating bolt design. Can't remember, been too long ago.

If so, it makes sense that the "Auto-Mag" and the Desert Eagle, firing rounds with much higher pressure than most handguns, would have a rotating bolt for strength.

Swampy
 
Soda,

NO.... Don't confuse the strength issue with how the action operates or cycles (i.e. semi-auto, manual, etc.). It makes no difference whether a rotating bolt is gas operated, recoil operated, or manually turned, it is still generally regarded as the strongest type in common use today. It just so happens that we were talking about semi-auto pistols utilizing a rotating bolt (unusual, most auto pistols are of a tipping barrel design). The same high strength need applies to centerfire rifles that have rotating bolt, be it a Rem-Chester-Mauser bolt action rifle, an M1 Garand, AK-47, or an AR-15. All are rotating bolt designs.

This does not even take into account other action types such as falling block (most lever actions), rolling block, roller cam (HK series), tipping bolt (FN-FAL), etc. All these are able to withstand the pressures of most centerfire rounds. There is also the blowback action, but that is usually relegated to rimfire and very small caliber and low powered centerfire pistiols.

The STRENGTH of an action that we were talking about comes into play before any form of bolt opening takes place. AFTER ignition, but BEFORE the bullet leaves the muzzle is when pressure is highest. What happens after that is irrelevent to the design strength of the bolt lockup and chamber thickness.

ALL rifle actions, regardless of type, rotating bolt, roller cam, tipping bolt, etc, and whether semi-auto or manual remain locked until AFTER the bullet is long gone and pressure has dropped back down to near atmospheric. How the action is cycled is purely secondary to strength issues.

I know I rambled a bit, but I think I got across what I was trying to say.... :D

Does this answer your original question?? It seemed a bit vague to me.

Swampy
 
One other benefit. The bolt locks directly into the barrel which means the receiver need not be super-strong. It only holds all the parts in place, it doesn't need to contain the forces of firing a cartridge.

That means you can have a very strong action in a gun with a very light receiver.
 
Is this only found in Rifles and not Pistols?
Click to expand...

FYI, Steyr SSP/TMP uses a rotating "barrel" mechanism. Think of it as a reversed rotating bolt, and yes, it is quite bulky for a general purpose pistol. You can find some info here
 
That is one odd looking gun!! It looks like it should have "Black and Decker" written on it. I have a few 3/8 drill bits that might fit in it;)
 
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