A general term for a variety of actions used to chamber/prime [[gun]]s before firing them. This may include:
* Manually pulling back the hammer of a [[revolver]]
* Racking the slide of a semi-automatic [[handgun]]
* Racking the slide of a [[pump action]] shotgun
* Cycling the bolt of a [[bolt action]] rifle

Usually performed after loading a [[magazine_(weapon)|magazine]] to chamber the first round, but can also forcibly remove an existing round or clear a jam. May also depict a [[handgun]] slide being forced back during normal operation for dramatic effect.

h4. See Also
* [[locked slide]]