Did you know that 88% of people that own a gun have it for self-defense purposes? If you fall in this category, then your best option is likely a handgun.

But, which type should you choose: pistol vs revolver? And what’s even the difference between these two types of firearms? If you want to learn the answer to these questions you’re in the right place.

In this guide, we’ll teach you everything you need to know about pistols and revolvers. Let’s get started!

What Is a Pistol?

A pistol is a handgun that features a short barrel and a large grip for holding the weapon. The brass grip contains a magazine that houses the bullet you’ll be firing. Once you finish firing this magazine needs to be removed.

Pistols tend to be semi-automatic with a small recoil action which makes them a good gun for self-defense. 

What Is a Revolver?

Revolvers are like pistols in that they’re a handgun. However, they differ greatly in terms of the firing mechanism. Instead of a clip revolver use a rotating cylinder behind the breech end of the chamber.

When the hammer of the revolver is cocked it will rotate the cylinder over so another bullet can be fired. Revolvers are generally either single action or double action.

What’s the Difference?

Let’s start with the most obvious difference: ammo in a revolver is loaded into the barrel, while in a pistol it’s put in a magazine.

Because the ammo tends to be smaller for pistols, and the magazines larger, you can typically carry more ammo in them. Next, when you fire a pistol, the gun automatically ejects the casing.

This isn’t true with revolvers. The shell casings stay in the barrel until you reload.

Finally, there’s the usability. The trigger pull on a pistol is typically much lighter than a revolver.

That means it requires more force to fire. Finally, revolvers tend to be heavier than pistols. This makes them not the most ideal choice for smaller individuals.

Where Is the Best Place to Purchase a Pistol or Revolver?

The first thing you should do when buying a gun is find a dealer that’s properly licensed. Once you confirm this you should begin looking for sellers that offer a large inventory of the brands you want.

For example, Arnzen Arms offers a wide selection of both pistols and revolvers by Smith and Wesson — check it out. So, if you prefer this brand, then make sure to shop from a supplier that carries a wide selection.

Enjoy Learning About Pistol vs Revolver? Keep Reading

We hope this article helped you learn the difference between a pistol vs revolver. As you can see, there is a lot of difference between the two firearms.

So, which one should you get? If you’re a beginner, we typically recommend a pistol. They’re easier to fire, load, and handle.

Did you learn something from this article? Keep exploring our website to find more educational content just like it.