Did you know that America has more guns than any other nation in the world? In fact, 32% of Americans own a firearm which equates to more than 81 million gun owners.
If you want to own a gun one day, you might be wondering about the difference between a pistol vs. revolver.
Keep reading to learn the answer.
Pistol vs. Revolver: The Main Difference
The main difference between a pistol vs. revolver is their respective chambers. This is the spot near the base of the barrel where ammo is placed for firing.
Pistols use one or more stationary chambers and revolvers use several chambers inside a rotating cylinder.
The term pistol refers to a weapon originally designed, made, and intended to fire a bullet from one or more barrels when held in one hand.
A revolver is a pistol-type weapon with a breechloading chambered cylinder. The trigger rotates and brings the next bullet in line with the barrel for firing.
What Are Pistols?
Specifically, pistols have a short barrel and a grip that makes them easier to hold. The magazine grip carries ammo and needs removal when the ammo goes over.
These are some of the main details you’ll see if you buy pistols:
- Removable magazine
- Magazine accommodates more than eight cartridges
- Ejects castings with each shot
- Trigger pull is less
- The weapon is light in weight
If the carriage misfires on a pistol, it’s not easily removable.
What Are Revolvers?
Revolvers are defined by their rotating cylinder housed behind the breech end of the barrel. Revolvers can be single-action or double-action. They can also be both.
The defining characteristics of revolvers are as follows:
- Ammunition is placed in a barrel
- The cylinder accommodates less than eight cartridges
- Shell castings are kept in the barrel
- Trigger pull is more
- The cylinder makes it somewhat heavy
When a cartridge misfires, it can be removed easily, unlike a misfire that occurs with a pistol.
Gun Owner Buying Tips
Whether you have purchased a gun before or you want to be a first-time gun owner, following buying tips can help. These are the strategies to utilize that aid in decision-making:
- Have a reason for buying a gun
- Research where to purchase guns
- Get appropriate training and licensing
- Maintain and safely store your gun
There are a lot of gun buying options online. Click here to discover some of the different types of guns, including pistols and revolvers.
Every potential gun owner has a reason for their purchase. You could want it for safety or to use as a hobby. Your reasoning for buying a gun will dictate the type of gun you need.
Which Gun Should You Buy?
Although a lot of buyers wonder about the difference between a pistol vs. revolver, both are popular choices for self-defense.
If you want to buy guns to shoot as a hobby, pistols might be the better option because revolvers require more reloading.
Take this guide into consideration and follow the buying tips. Don’t forget to keep coming back for more articles like this.
