What is a semi-automatic pistol designed to do after firing a round?

A semi-automatic pistol is designed to automatically cycle to the next round after firing a shot. This mechanism relies on the energy generated by firing the first round to eject the spent cartridge, chamber a new round from the magazine, and prepare the gun for the next shot. This allows the shooter to fire subsequent rounds quickly without needing to manually operate any mechanisms, like racking the slide or pulling a lever.

This feature distinguishes semi-automatic pistols from other types of firearms, such as revolvers or single-shot pistols, which either require manual operation to reload or can only fire one shot at a time before needing to be reloaded. The design of a semi-automatic pistol enhances rapid-fire capability and increases the efficiency of follow-up shots in various shooting scenarios, such as hunting or self-defense.