Bolt-action firearms are generally repeating firearms, but some single-shot breechloaders also use bolt-action design as the breechblock mechanism. The majority of these firearms are rifles, but there are some bolt-action variants of shotguns and handguns as well. Examples of these date as far back as the early 19th century, notably in the Dreyse needle gun. From the late 19th century all the way through both World Wars, bolt-action rifles were the standard infantry service weapons for most of the world's military forces. In modern military and law enforcement usages, bolt-action firearms have been mostly replaced by semi-automatic and selective-fire firearms, and have only remained prevalent as sniper rifles due to the design's inherent potential for superior accuracy and precision, as well as ruggedness and reliability compared to autoloading designs.