👉 A returning weapon, often referred to as a "returning armament" or "returning projectile," is a type of weapon that is designed to be fired and then retracted back into its original position, typically after discharging its projectile. This mechanism is commonly seen in firearms like rifles and shotguns, where the barrel acts as both the chamber and the return mechanism. When a gun is fired, the barrel's rifling (coiled inner tube) guides the projectile as it travels down the barrel and then retracts, pulling the gun's action back to its original position. This design allows for rapid and efficient reloading, as the weapon can be quickly prepared for another shot without needing to manually adjust or reload the mechanism.
