What are Handguns?
Handguns are mostly small, lightweight, and provide firepower for defensive / offensive situations and hunting. Handguns are most commonly divided into semi-automatics (a/k/a pistols) and revolvers. Semi-automatics use part of the energy produced by burning cartridge powder to remove the used cartridge from the chamber, cock the hammer (or striker) and load a new cartridge in the chamber, so that the pistol will be ready for the next shot. Cartridges are usually fed from a magazine located in the pistol’s handle. Magazines could hold 6, 10, 15, or more cartridges in a single or double column, depending on the model of the pistol. Revolvers get that name from the rotating (i.e., revolving) cylinder, which typically contains 5 to 7 cartridges, however, certain models could be designed to hold more less. Cartridges may be loaded into the revolver’s cylinder 2 ways, again, depending on design. They may only hold one cartridge at a time by one, or several at one time. Single action and Doub
