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.

revolver

noun

  1. a handgun having a revolving revolving chambered cylinder for holding a number of cartridges, which may be discharged in succession without reloading.

  2. a person or thing that revolves.

pistol

noun

  1. a short firearm intended to be held and fired with one hand.

verb (used with object)

pistoled, pistoling , pistolled, pistolling .

  1. to shoot with a pistol.