TYPES OF PISTOLS

Single shot

These types of handgun were mainly seen during the era of flintlock and musket weaponry where the pistol was loaded with a lead ball and fired by a percussion cap. However, as technology improved, so did the single shot pistol. New operating mechanisms were created, and due to this, they are still made today. They are often used to hunt game.

Multi-barreled

These were common during the same time as single shot pistols. As designers looked for ways to increase fire rates, multiple barrels were added to all guns including pistols. Some examples of multi-barreled pistols are Derringers and Duck's foot pistols.

Revolving Cylinder

The evolution of handguns between the rotating-barrel and the semi-automatic is defined as a revolver,with a rotating cylinder most often seen with 5 or 6 round capacities. These pistols are very common to be seen in "Old Western" movies and are well known for being extremely accurate despite being one of the lesser accurate types.

Single-action - a type of revolver requiring the "hammer" to be drawn back manually each time

Double-action -a type of revolver that can be used as if a single action,but also as a semi-automatic (with the pulling of the trigger pulling the hammer,rotating the cylinder,and releasing the hammer into the firing pin or plate)

Semi-automatic

This was next development of the pistol. Instead of using multiple barrels which all needed to be reloaded individually, semi-automatic pistols could deliver greater fire rate and only require a few seconds to reload depending on the skill of the shooter. They work by the fired cartridge generating enough kinetic energy to force the bolt back to allow the magazine spring to push another round into the chamber. This also includes certain types of revolvers.

Machine pistol

A Machine Pistol is a fully automatic pistol. It utilises the same functions as a semi automatic pistol, similar gas reaction pushed the hammer back continously until the magazine is emptied. This usually requires the fitting of a longer magazine or drum magazine.