What type of firearm operates with a mechanism that automatically reloads after firing?

A semi-automatic firearm operates with a mechanism that automatically reloads after firing. This means that after a round is discharged, the force of the fired round is used to eject the spent cartridge case and load a new round into the chamber from the magazine. This system allows the shooter to fire subsequent rounds with a single pull of the trigger for each shot, making it efficient for rapid fire without the need for manual action after each shot.

In contrast, a revolver requires the shooter to manually rotate the cylinder to position the next round for firing, which does not qualify as an automatic reloading mechanism. Single-action firearms also necessitate manual cocking of the hammer before each shot, while manual firearms depend entirely on the user's action to load each round, meaning neither operates automatically in the same way as a semi-automatic.