A .223 caliber firearm, produced by the now-defunct New England Firearms company, typically features a single-shot action. This simple mechanism means the user loads a single cartridge into the chamber, fires, and then manually reloads for the next shot. Such firearms were often designed for hunting small game or for target practice, offering an affordable and accessible entry point to shooting sports.
Single-shot rifles, particularly in .223 caliber, provide an inherent level of safety due to their manual loading process. This forces a deliberate action between each shot, promoting careful handling and marksmanship. Historically, single-shot firearms represented a significant segment of the market, especially for budget-conscious consumers and beginners. Their simplicity often made them easier to maintain and clean compared to more complex actions. The .223 cartridge itself, with its relatively low recoil and flat trajectory, further enhances the suitability of these rifles for both novice and experienced shooters.