Are all recoil-operated actions fed by a magazine?

Recoil-operated actions can indeed be fed by a magazine, but it is not a requirement for all such systems. Recoil operation depends on the firearm's design, utilizing the recoil energy generated by the weapon firing to cycle the action and chamber the next round. While many recoil-operated firearms, such as semi-automatic pistols and rifles, utilize magazines to store ammunition and feed it into the chamber, there are also alternatives.

For example, some break-action or single-shot firearms may utilize recoil operation but would not rely on a magazine due to their design. Consequently, saying that all recoil-operated actions are fed by a magazine is inaccurate, as there are systems that operate effectively without this feature. The correct understanding emphasizes that while many recoil-operated firearms use magazines to facilitate continuous firing, it is not an inherent characteristic of all designs that utilize recoil operation.