Which part of a gas-operated firearm is responsible for cycling the action?

The portion of a gas-operated firearm that is responsible for cycling the action is indeed the bolt. In a gas-operated system, when a round is fired, some of the high-pressure gas from the fired cartridge is directed through a gas port into the gas block and then into the gas piston. This gas pressure causes the piston to move, which in turn pushes the bolt carrier group (including the bolt) to the rear.

As the bolt moves rearward, it performs several crucial functions: it unlocks the bolt from the barrel, extracts the spent cartridge case, and then ejects it from the receiver. The motion of the bolt also allows the action to chamber a new round from the magazine as the bolt returns to its forward position. Thus, it is the bolt, along with its accompanying components, that is essential for the cycling of the action in a gas-operated firearm, enabling it to continue functioning automatically with each trigger pull.

This understanding of the gas system's operation highlights the vital role of the bolt in the overall functioning of gas-operated firearms, distinguishing it from other parts such as the barrel, which is involved in directing the projectile, the receiver, which houses many components of the firearm, and the sights, which are used primarily for