Equipment

Captive-bolt stunners are comprised of a steel bolt, with a flange and piston at one end, which is held in the barrel. The piston fits tightly into the breech and the bolt is free to move forwards and backwards within the barrel. On firing, the expansion of gases, produced by the explosion of charge, propels the piston forward (approximately 80mm) and the bolt projects through an aperture in the front of the barrel. The bolt remains captive within the barrel, because the flange at the rear prevents it passing through the hole. The impact of the flange with the front of the barrel is absorbed by either micro-cellular buffers (also known as recuperator sleeves) or a grease collar, according to the type of stunner. There is a wide variety of captive-bolt stunners available (Figure 1)

Figure 1

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