An old discussion that, like most nomenclature questions has changed over time.
In the years before revolvers there were only pistols.
Once revolvers showed up, well things began to change some. Now you had to differentiate one from the other in casual conversation and written text.
With the appearance of the da revolver over a century ago, and it's growth and spread, the nomenclature issue grew. With the rise of the semi auto the questions and divergence grew as well.
We now had single shot pistols, single action revolvers and da revolvers as well as various types of self loading pistols.
Below is a picture which shows the covers of a few books dating back to the to 1945. It was in 1945 that Smith's classic "Book of Pistols and Revolvers" was published. in the book "Pistols" refers to semi autos. The other books are spread out over the next several decades. Nonte's two books shown divides the subjects by revolvers and semiautos.
There was no internet in 1945 or during the decades. Internet gun forums did not predate the late 1990s/early 2000s as I recall. So the divergence in the use of terms can't be blamed on "internet gun commandos". The use of the terms predates the internet.
You'll also notice that this forum and others have clear distinct sections for revolvers and pistols.
So I think that in the world there has been an evolution in the use of the terms...fueled by the divergence of types of handguns and the need to make clear what type handgun the speaker or writer is referring to.
tipoc
In the years before revolvers there were only pistols.
Once revolvers showed up, well things began to change some. Now you had to differentiate one from the other in casual conversation and written text.
With the appearance of the da revolver over a century ago, and it's growth and spread, the nomenclature issue grew. With the rise of the semi auto the questions and divergence grew as well.
We now had single shot pistols, single action revolvers and da revolvers as well as various types of self loading pistols.
Below is a picture which shows the covers of a few books dating back to the to 1945. It was in 1945 that Smith's classic "Book of Pistols and Revolvers" was published. in the book "Pistols" refers to semi autos. The other books are spread out over the next several decades. Nonte's two books shown divides the subjects by revolvers and semiautos.
There was no internet in 1945 or during the decades. Internet gun forums did not predate the late 1990s/early 2000s as I recall. So the divergence in the use of terms can't be blamed on "internet gun commandos". The use of the terms predates the internet.
You'll also notice that this forum and others have clear distinct sections for revolvers and pistols.
So I think that in the world there has been an evolution in the use of the terms...fueled by the divergence of types of handguns and the need to make clear what type handgun the speaker or writer is referring to.
tipoc