氣(qi)動(dong)(dong)操(cao)作(zuo)依(yi)(yi)照原理(li)(li)與不同槍(qiang)(qiang)枝的(de)機(ji)(ji)械設計方式(shi)(shi)有分(fen)為四(si)種(zhong)(zhong)五類：第(di)一種(zhong)(zhong)是(shi)依(yi)(yi)賴活塞(sai)(sai)(sai)原理(li)(li)進(jin)行(xing)(xing)槍(qiang)(qiang)機(ji)(ji)運(yun)作(zuo)的(de)方式(shi)(shi)，亦(yi)即(ji)透過(guo)導流(liu)使氣(qi)體(ti)推(tui)動(dong)(dong)活塞(sai)(sai)(sai)，活塞(sai)(sai)(sai)連動(dong)(dong)槍(qiang)(qiang)機(ji)(ji)，透過(guo)這一串(chuan)的(de)程(cheng)(cheng)序完(wan)成(cheng)槍(qiang)(qiang)枝的(de)自(zi)(zi)(zi)動(dong)(dong)/半(ban)(ban)自(zi)(zi)(zi)動(dong)(dong)運(yun)作(zuo)。然而活塞(sai)(sai)(sai)的(de)運(yun)作(zuo)以(yi)(yi)(yi)行(xing)(xing)程(cheng)(cheng)為主，以(yi)(yi)(yi)行(xing)(xing)程(cheng)(cheng)移(yi)動(dong)(dong)距離(li)的(de)長短劃(hua)分(fen)，而非(fei)以(yi)(yi)(yi)活塞(sai)(sai)(sai)的(de)重量或者大(da)小(xiao)劃(hua)分(fen)。第(di)二種(zhong)(zhong)是(shi)利用(yong)“收(shou)集”子(zi)彈的(de)高壓氣(qi)之后(hou)再導流(liu)進(jin)入汽缸推(tui)動(dong)(dong)活塞(sai)(sai)(sai)或整個槍(qiang)(qiang)管連動(dong)(dong)到槍(qiang)(qiang)機(ji)(ji)進(jin)行(xing)(xing)完(wan)成(cheng)槍(qiang)(qiang)枝的(de)自(zi)(zi)(zi)動(dong)(dong)/半(ban)(ban)自(zi)(zi)(zi)動(dong)(dong)運(yun)作(zuo)。第(di)三(san)種(zhong)(zhong)是(shi)利用(yong)第(di)二種(zhong)(zhong)“收(shou)集”氣(qi)體(ti)的(de)原理(li)(li)進(jin)行(xing)(xing)推(tui)動(dong)(dong)槍(qiang)(qiang)管連動(dong)(dong)槍(qiang)(qiang)機(ji)(ji)完(wan)成(cheng)槍(qiang)(qiang)枝的(de)自(zi)(zi)(zi)動(dong)(dong)/半(ban)(ban)自(zi)(zi)(zi)動(dong)(dong)運(yun)作(zuo)。后(hou)一種(zhong)(zhong)是(shi)經由氣(qi)導管導流(liu)氣(qi)體(ti)向后(hou)“吹送(song)”槍(qiang)(qiang)機(ji)(ji)完(wan)成(cheng)槍(qiang)(qiang)枝的(de)自(zi)(zi)(zi)動(dong)(dong)/半(ban)(ban)自(zi)(zi)(zi)動(dong)(dong)運(yun)作(zuo)。因(yin)此我們大(da)約(yue)可以(yi)(yi)(yi)分(fen)為：短行(xing)(xing)程(cheng)(cheng)活塞(sai)(sai)(sai)傳動(dong)(dong)式(shi)(shi)（Short stroke）。長行(xing)(xing)程(cheng)(cheng)活塞(sai)(sai)(sai)傳動(dong)(dong)式(shi)(shi)（Long stroke）。氣(qi)井(jing)集氣(qi)操(cao)作(zuo)（Gas trap）。槍(qiang)(qiang)口增壓器（Muzzle booster）。直(zhi)噴式(shi)(shi)氣(qi)動(dong)(dong)操(cao)作(zuo)（Direct impingement；也稱為Direct Gas Action）。