Is a Revolver a Pistol?

Is a Revolver a Pistol?

  • Yes.

    Votes: 203 69.8%

  • No.

    Votes: 88 30.2%
  • Total voters
    291
  • Poll closed .
Status
Not open for further replies.
No. A revolver is a handgun, not a pistol. I believe "pistol" is simply a shortened version of the phrase "auto-pistol, or semi automatic pistol". Although, both revolvers and pistols are handguns.
 
I always understood "pistol" to be a catch-all or generic for semi-autos and revolvers.
Oh well!

BILL CA, that kingdom, phylum, class, doohickie is spot on. I like!
 
Again from Mirriam-Webster

handgun
One entry found.



Sponsored LinksRight to Keep & Bear Arms
Don Kilmer is Northern California's 2nd Amendment rights attorney.
www.dklawoffice.com


Main Entry: hand·gun
Pronunciation: \-ˌgən\
Function: noun
Date: 15th century
: a firearm (as a revolver or pistol) designed to be held and fired with one hand
Click to expand...


here is indicates a handgun as a revolver, or a pistol, not revolver and/or, a pistol. Personally I view these as two distinct types of firearms. Do as you wish. I'll not get overly excited about it.
 
Evolution in action.

Usage determines meaning over the long run. With Christmas coming up, "Don we now our gay apparel," is a contemporary example of how meanings of words change.

Calling a revolver a pistol, it seems to me, is not incorrect but in the context of firearm enthusiasts it's not precise.
 
A revolver is a handgun, not a pistol. I believe "pistol" is simply a shortened version of the phrase "auto-pistol, or semi automatic pistol".
Click to expand...
basic problem with that is the term "pistol" was in common use well before there was any auto-pistol or semi automatic pistol.
 
BillCA said:
I consider "revolver" and "semi-automatic" as sub-classes of the family "pistol".

Kingdom: Mechanical devices
Phylum: Weapons
Class: Firearms
Order: Handgun
Family: Pistol
Genus: Revolver
Click to expand...


That's too dang funny. LOL:D:cool:
 
All revolvers are pistols, but not all pistols are revolvers.

That being said, I would never call a revolver a pistol. I would call it a revolver or a handgun or a firearm.
 
Define this

What does the letter "P" in "ACP" stand for? Seen many ACP revolvers lately? And "pistol-whipped" is a compounded word of unknown derivation, sorta like "PU$$Y-whipped", which is in common usage but hard to visualize. Look at anyone's ammo catalog and find "Ammunition" in 4 categories: Rifle, Shotgun, revolver, and Pistol.
 
Where is

"Auto-loader" in your family tree?

Kingdom: Mechanical devices
Phylum: Weapons
Class: Firearms
Order: Handgun
Family: Pistol
Genus: Revolver"

Love it.

Pete
 
I consider "revolver" and "semi-automatic" as sub-classes of the family "pistol".

Kingdom: Mechanical devices
Phylum: Weapons
Class: Firearms
Order: Handgun
Family: Pistol
Genus: Revolver

Pistol includes semi-automatic pistol, revolver, single-shot pistol (i.e. percussion pistols) Very (flare) Pistol, etc.

One can argue that "Derringer" should fall under Pistol, yet the usage of "Derringer" may be specific enough to be a family of its own.
Click to expand...

brilliant :)

All this talk about pistols makes me want to put on some Pistols, Sex Pistols that is, on the stereo and rock out :D
 
From The Russian:

ACP, transliterates to Avtomat Cartouch Para-Bellum." "Auto- Cartridge For War (military".) (Actually it is "Kartouch", but most Russkyi military-types know ACP.)
 
The spanish term for pistol, pistola, is also applied to revolvers. Mexican gunslingers in a time before autoloaders were "pistoleros".
 
peetzakilla said:
That's too dang funny. LOL
Click to expand...

I'm glad it amuses you, however it was intended to be serious. :cool:

Pistol is a term that goes back to pre-cartridge days, so any arguments based on ACP or various types of categories for cartridge ammunition are moot.

Prior to cartridge arms, "pistol" mean a firearm intended to be fired by the hand - i.e. a handgun. This, as opposed to a long gun such as a musket, rifle, shotgun or blunderbuss.

The Militia Act of 1792 referred to "pistols" in equipping officers and dragoons. For example, see the dragoon requirement below...
Each dragoon to furnish himself with a serviceable horse, at least fourteen hands and an half high, a good saddle, bridle, mail-pillion and valise, holster, and a best plate and crupper, a pair of boots and spurs; a pair of pistols, a sabre, and a cartouchbox to contain twelve cartridges for pistols.
Click to expand...

Maybe this will help... Something of a visual representation of the previous breakdown, with a slight modification. It is, of course, not all-inclusive.

FirearmGeneology.jpg
 
according to legend

The english word pistol derives from the Italian, which came about from the fact that the city of Pistioa became famous for making handguns in the early days of firearms (16th century?)

It is correct to call every handgun a pistol. Common usage in the US is to name revolvers as such, while referring to all others as pistols.
 
If a revolver lays on my dealers counter and an autoloader lays next to it, if he asks me which I would like to see and I say "the pistol", he will hand me the autoloader. I've tested this out of curiosity. :D
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top