What is a pistol?
Q: What is a pistol?
A: A pistol is a type of handgun, which may refer to any handgun or specifically to a magazine pistol as distinct from a revolver.
Q: What is the difference between a magazine pistol and a revolver?
A: A magazine pistol is a type of handgun where the cartridges are in a magazine, typically located inside the handle of the pistol. The magazine is spring-loaded so that the next bullet is pushed into position as the empty cartridge is ejected when the pistol is fired. In contrast, a revolver typically has several chambers within a cylinder that rotate to reveal the next cartridge for firing.
Q: Why are pistols sometimes called "semi-automatic"?
A: Pistols are sometimes called "semi-automatic" because the magazine is spring-loaded, and as the empty cartridge is ejected, the magazine pushes the next bullet into place. This means that a semi-automatic pistol can fire repeatedly without the need for manual re-cocking after each shot.
Q: How is a magazine pistol reloaded?
A: When the magazine runs out of cartridges in a magazine pistol, it can be reloaded by inserting more cartridges into the magazine.
Q: When was the term "pistol" first used?
A: The term "pistol" entered the English language before 1600, from the French. At that time, it usually referred to a single-shot handgun.
Q: What is the origin of the word "pistol"?
A: The word "pistol" entered the English language from the French, and its ultimate origin is uncertain. One possibility is that it comes from the Czech word "pistala," meaning "pipe" or "tube."
Q: Was the term "pistol" used to refer to revolvers in the American Old West?
A: Yes, although revolvers were used in the American Old West, they were often referred to as "pistols" at the time and can still be called that by some people today.
