johnwilliamson062
Moderator
In response to someone sharing a recent purchase of a revolver:
The etymology of the word "pistol" is not related to the chamber being integral to the barrel according to any of the proposed origins I have read. There are a few.
Revolvers were originally referred to as revolving pistols leading me to believe they were originally included in the category of pistols.
The NRA uses the term as a generic for any sort of handgun.
The exclusion of revolvers seems to be a modern distinction which seems to have originated about the time of firearms forums.
The use of the word pistol far predates semi-autos or revolvers.Handgun* or Revolver*
Not Pistol
The etymology of the word "pistol" is not related to the chamber being integral to the barrel according to any of the proposed origins I have read. There are a few.
Revolvers were originally referred to as revolving pistols leading me to believe they were originally included in the category of pistols.
The NRA uses the term as a generic for any sort of handgun.
The exclusion of revolvers seems to be a modern distinction which seems to have originated about the time of firearms forums.