Terminology question: Are Handgun and Pistol synonymous?

2259 Views 18 Replies 14 Participants Last post by RichNH, Feb 1, 2013

RichNH

Discussion Starter · Jan 30, 2013

As someone new to the handgun side of shooting I wanted to ask to get some clarification on how terms are typically used. I'm only asking because I've seen posts here or there which seem to contradict my basic understanding of the term pistol.

Term: Handgun

This is the generic term for a firearm which is designed to be fired with one hand. (Yes I know the typical stances use both hands for stability.) This would include semi-autos, revolvers, single-shots, etc..

Term: Pistol

According to dictionary definitions (and my uneducated understanding), this is synonymous with handgun. However, I've seen more than one posting that seems to indicate the term pistol does not apply to revolvers.

So how do you all use these terms? Do you consider it incorrect to call a revolver a pistol? And if so, what about things like Derringers, are they pistols?

1 - 19 of 19 Posts

danf_fl

· #2 · Jan 30, 2013

The BATF form 4473 has a block (29) that the LGS completes to identify the firearm as "pistol, revolver, rifle...."
http://www.atf.gov/forms/download/atf-f-4473-1.pdf

We tend to go along with the meanings as on the ATF Form 4473.
Your terms, as used here, are correct.
And those handguns that do not have a cylinder are typically called "pistols".

Sniper03

· #3 · Jan 30, 2013

Rich,

You will probably get a number of different individual definitions and designations. But I use the following terms in the following way to specify.

A Handgun can be any of the guns that is normally shot being held and shot with solely the hands. So Pistol, Revolver, Derringer and others would fall into this General Category of Handgun for me.

Then there are Pistols (Which some have always used as I use the general term Handgun.

To Me:
A "Pistol" designation equates to a Semi-Auto Handgun
A "Revolver" designation equates to a Revolver (Cylinder) Handgun
A Single Shot designation to me equates to a Single Shot Handgun
A Derringer is a Derringer still a Handgun

That way when someone advises me about any of the above there is no doubt which one they are speaking about. If I have any doubts I will ask them. Are you speaking of a Semi Auto Pistol or a Cylinder Type Revolver so on and so on.
If they were to use the general handgun designation it could be any of the above. Some phrase it's as a general pistol term which if so who knows what type handgun they are talking about without asking for details.
This is only my way of speaking about the Handgun classifications.

03

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30-30remchester

· #4 · Jan 30, 2013

I read the definition of a pistol as a single chambered handgun such as a self loading handgun as well as a single shot. A revolver has multiple chambers. I read this description in a dictionary IIRC.

c3shooter

· #5 · Jan 30, 2013

3

Agree. And while from a pure LANGUAGE standpoint, revolvers can indeed be handguns, and CAN be pistols, there are separate LEGAL points for revolvers (how you measure barrel length is different).

There have been revolvers that were rifles and shotguns- so they were NOT handguns. There have been handguns with a revolving action that were not called revolvers (pepperbox, turret pistols, etc)

He who is generally considered the father of the revolver- Sam Colt- in fact called his product the "Revolving Pistol".

Revolver Trigger Air gun Font Gun barrel

Trigger Air gun Gun barrel Font Gun accessory

Revolver Air gun Trigger Gun barrel Gun accessory

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JonM

· #6 · Jan 31, 2013

etymology of the word pistol

pistol (n.) "small hand-held firearm," 1570s, from Middle French pistole "short firearm" (1566), of uncertain origin, sometimes said to be from German Pistole, from Czech pis'tala "firearm," lit. "tube, pipe," from pisteti "to whistle," of imitative origin, related to Russian pischal "shepherd's pipe."

But earlier English form pistolet (1550) is said to be from Middle French pistolet "a small firearm," also "a small dagger," which may be the literal sense; though some connect this word with Italian pistolese, in reference to Pistoia, town in Tuscany noted for gunsmithing. Pistol-whip (v.) is first recorded 1942

30-30remchester

· #7 · Jan 31, 2013

Just checked four dictionaries. They seem to be in agreement on one thing. A pistol is defined as a handgun with a single chamber "integeral" with the barrel. Their words, not mine. It has been brought up before about Sam Colt marketing a revolving "pistol". It must be remembered when he patented these, single barreled handguns were the only handguns available, with a few rare exceptions. Im GUESSING he had not other option to call his new invention. I catch myself using the term pistol for any firearm needing just one hand to operate.

hiwall

· #8 · Jan 31, 2013

C3, did you have to show a picture of the Colt Root side-hammer? Is it because you know I do not have one in my collection?

JonM

· #9 · Jan 31, 2013

one thing i forgot to add. arguing over pistol vs handgun is like arguing over whether a coke is a soda or a pop...

locutus

· #10 · Jan 31, 2013

All handguns are pistols and all pistols are handguns.

Semi auto pistols are pistols and revolvers are, and always have been pistols.

If Samuel Colt referred to his invention as a "revolving pistol" that should answer the question for ALL TIME.

robocop10mm

· #11 · Jan 31, 2013

The term pistol was synonymous with handgun for many hundreds of years. Recently some folks have felt the need to change the definition. Normally "pistol" refers to a semi-auto or single chambered handgun. Revolver is pretty self explanatory. Then there are multiple fixed chamber handguns like derringers with 2 barrels and the old COP 4 barreled .357 Magnum handgun. WHat to call those?

I generally try to refer to semi-autos as pistols and revolvers as revolvers. I do not get too upset when others use pistol to describe a geneeric handgun.

AR10

· #12 · Jan 31, 2013

I see my G20 as a pistol, my Ruger Super RedHawk as a revolver, and both as handguns.

If it don't revolve, it is a pistol. Pistol is a little more generic, and could include all handguns, but revolver, always means revolver. As I see it. Then again, I am comfortable calling magazines, clips, so what do I know. Lol

Vincine

· #13 · Jan 31, 2013

Boy, this is even more fun than the magazine/clip discussions!

JonM

· #14 · Jan 31, 2013

Vincine said:
Boy, this is even more fun than the magazine/clip discussions!

You are a very bad person bringing that up.

beenz

· #15 · Jan 31, 2013

I have a pistol handgun ;-p

BeyondTheBox

· #16 · Jan 31, 2013

My take/how I use it and will continue to:

Yes, they are synonymous.

Any gun that can be handheld and shot without the need of any other appendages or assistance to do so accurately and repetitively, until emptied, is both a handgun and pistol. They are interchangeable in use and application across the categories of semiautomatic and revolver.

Same goes for the clip/mag thing & receiver/grip/handle.

There's simply WAYYYY too much specific nomenclature and designations in the gun world for me. I mean seriously, back strap? There's no strap there at all, it's a narrow end of the handle. If there's a separate, removable part then it deserves a name, otherwise it's just a section of the frame. I'm going to start calling them bumpers.

That's it, I'm going to start referring to parts of the gun as the car parts they most resemble, just to make a point of how ridiculous it all is. Lol

danf_fl

· #17 · Jan 31, 2013

There is a difference between a barrel and
cylindrical device with a coil-like internal pattern used for projectile stablization.

DrumJunkie

· #18 · Jan 31, 2013

Sniper03 said:
Rich,

You will probably get a number of different individual definitions and designations. But I use the following terms in the following way to specify.

A Handgun can be any of the guns that is normally shot being held and shot with solely the hands. So Pistol, Revolver, Derringer and others would fall into this General Category of Handgun for me.

Then there are Pistols (Which some have always used as I use the general term Handgun.

To Me:
A "Pistol" designation equates to a Semi-Auto Handgun
A "Revolver" designation equates to a Revolver (Cylinder) Handgun
A Single Shot designation to me equates to a Single Shot Handgun
A Derringer is a Derringer still a Handgun

That way when someone advises me about any of the above there is no doubt which one they are speaking about. If I have any doubts I will ask them. Are you speaking of a Semi Auto Pistol or a Cylinder Type Revolver so on and so on.
If they were to use the general handgun designation it could be any of the above. Some phrase it's as a general pistol term which if so who knows what type handgun they are talking about without asking for details.
This is only my way of speaking about the Handgun classifications.

03

This is how I look at it but I have caught myself using pistol for handgun a couple times.

RichNH

Discussion Starter · #19 · Feb 1, 2013

Well, thanks all for sharing your thoughts. It sounds like there are reasons other than habit (e.g., ATF form terminology) for trying to split revolvers from the term pistol. My curiosity is satisfied, and I guess I'll stick with handgun for the generic term instead of pistol.

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