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revolver vs. pistol

revolver vs. pistol: What's the difference?

Pistols and revolvers are types of handguns, which are firearms with short barrels intended to be held and fired with one hand. A revolver has a revolving chamber of bullets that can be fired in succession without reloading. Pistol can sometimes be used to describe any handgun, but it’s especially used for one with a stationary chamber of bullets.

[ ri-vol-ver ]
noun
  1. a handgun having a revolving chambered cylinder for holding a number of cartridges, which may be discharged in succession without reloading.
  2. a person or thing that revolves.
[ pis-tl ]

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