Pistols and revolvers

[Forty Rod SASS 3935]

I was told today that I should stop calling a revolver a "pistol".  Guy said only semi autos are pistols, and this puke is a clerk at a firearms counter in a local sporting goods store.

 

A quite politely told him that he was out of his pea-pickin' mind.  He smugly wanted to know why.  This is what I told him, and a half dozen other people at the counter who were listening in.

 

For a few hundred years men with hand guns were called pistoleros, or pistoleers.  Single and double shot hand guns are still referred to as pistols.

 

I have been calling any single handed gun a pistol since about 1947 because my dad and every other adult person I knew...including hundreds of returning service man and woman I ever met, called them pistols.

 

Today we have indoor pistol ranges, aka gun ranges or shooting ranges, all over my part of central Arizona.

 

These are the same people who insist that a "gun" must be a smooth bore.  Many early weapons of every description clear back to match locks were smooth bores and usually referred to as "guns".

 

Many of these idiots blow their own arguments out of the water by using the term "gun control" in their efforts to violate my Constitutional rights.

 

Today almost all mounted artillery are called guns from 16" rifled "guns" on battleships to field artillery, to machine guns, to some smooth bore rocket tubes, etc are still called guns.

 

Don't try to use your lack of information, political BS, to whatever you hear on TV or read on your computer, or bullheaded ignorance to convince me that you are some kind of "smarter than you are" expert on anything...EVER!

 

 

Unless, of course, that you want me to let everyone in hearing range know of your ignorance in such a way that I'll make you cry without ever lifting a hand toward you. 

 

Sorry.  I woke up to early, missed lunch, and ran into scores of idiotic, incompetent, inconsiderate, timid, and otherwise dangerous and infuriating people driving cars. 

 

Rant time is over.

[Rye Miles #13621]

I hear ya! How about cowboy shooting. 10 rifle 10 PISTOL, 4 plus shotgun! 

[Todd Hayseed]

I seem to remember some movie where John Wayne was issuing ammunition and it was 30 rounds per "revolving pistol"

[Howlin Mad Murdock SASS #4037]

Josey Wales cannot be wrong.

 

Josey Wales: Are you gonna pull those pistols or whistle Dixie?

[Subdeacon Joe]

1 hour ago, Forty Rod SASS 3935 said:

Today almost all mounted artillery are called guns from 16" rifled "guns" on battleships to field artillery, to machine guns, to some smooth bore rocket tubes, etc are still called guns.

 

Per the United States Army Ordnance Department, 1863, guns, including rifled guns were direct fire weapons. Howitzers were for direct or indirect fire, and mortars were indirect fire weapons. 

[Alpo]

56 minutes ago, Todd Hayseed said:

I seem to remember some movie where John Wayne was issuing ammunition and it was 30 rounds per "revolving pistol"

Fort Apache. When they was going out after the Apaches Duke tried to get a double order of rifle ammo, and Colonel Henry Fonda (Thursby?) countermanded that order. Then Duke immediately ordered the extra ammo for the revolving pistols.

[Buckshot Bear]

ChatGPT

 

what is a pistol

 

ChatGPT said:

A pistol is a type of handgun — a small firearm designed to be held and fired with one hand.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

• 🔫 General definition: A pistol is a gun with a short barrel that fires bullets using the force of expanding gas from a gunpowder explosion.

• 🧩 Technical distinction:

  • Pistol often refers specifically to semi-automatic handguns, which use part of the energy from firing a round to load the next one automatically.

  • Revolvers, which have a rotating cylinder to hold ammunition, are also handguns but technically not pistols (though in casual speech, people sometimes call them pistols too).

• ⚙️ Basic parts:

  • Barrel – directs the bullet

  • Slide – moves back and forth when firing

  • Magazine – holds the ammunition

  • Trigger – releases the firing mechanism

  • Grip – where the shooter holds the gun

Would you like me to explain how a pistol works or the different types of pistols (e.g. semi-automatic vs revolver)?

[Sgt. C.J. Sabre, SASS #46770]

41 minutes ago, Buckshot Bear said:

ChatGPT

 

what is a pistol

 

ChatGPT said:

A pistol is a type of handgun — a small firearm designed to be held and fired with one hand.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

• 🔫 General definition: A pistol is a gun with a short barrel that fires bullets using the force of expanding gas from a gunpowder explosion.

• 🧩 Technical distinction:

  • Pistol often refers specifically to semi-automatic handguns, which use part of the energy from firing a round to load the next one automatically.

  • Revolvers, which have a rotating cylinder to hold ammunition, are also handguns but technically not pistols (though in casual speech, people sometimes call them pistols too).

• ⚙️ Basic parts:

  • Barrel – directs the bullet

  • Slide – moves back and forth when firing

  • Magazine – holds the ammunition

  • Trigger – releases the firing mechanism

  • Grip – where the shooter holds the gun

Would you like me to explain how a pistol works or the different types of pistols (e.g. semi-automatic vs revolver)?

From Google AI:

Samuel Colt was granted his U.S. patent for the revolving pistol on February 25, 1836, which established his monopoly on revolver manufacturing until 1857. This patent was for the design of his first mass-produced revolver, the Colt Paterson, and was based on his design for a practical, repeating firearm that used a revolving cylinder with multiple chambers. 

[Marshal Mo Hare, SASS #45984]

it's a distinction that some like to make and others like to get their panties in a bunch about.

 

             a chamber as an integral part(s) of, or permanently aligned with, the bore(s);

 

 

[watab kid]

1 hour ago, Marshal Mo Hare, SASS #45984 said:

it's a distinction that some like to make and others like to get their panties in a bunch about.

 

             a chamber as an integral part(s) of, or permanently aligned with, the bore(s);

 

 

ive never felt any terminology was worth gettin your "pantie's in a bunch" over , ive not had an issue with this particular topic - while i do refer to revolvers as revolvers and semi-autos as pistols regularly , i dont really care as i know what you mean - i call my flintlock handgun a pistol too 

 

but on a couple sites folks are adamant that proper terminology is needed , one where i agree with them on is my enfield site - improper use leads to bad information , the simple reversal of the description refers to an entirely different item , but nuff said 

[Marshal Mo Hare, SASS #45984]

It is a distinction used by a three/five letter agency which is not deserving of respect.

[Buckshot Bear]

3 hours ago, Marshal Mo Hare, SASS #45984 said:

it's a distinction that some like to make and others like to get their panties in a bunch about.

 

            

 

I've never had panties in a bunch, when I was younger I had a good collection in my glove box  

[Rooster Ron Wayne]

Lol Good Job Forty Rod !

I just tell them .

Dont open your mouth about something you obviously no nothing of what you speak. 

Rooster 

[Cyrus Cassidy #45437]

Yep. I hear that one a lot. 

 

I teach a lot (almost all!) of the NRA's courses and I always refer people to the official NRA terminology, which defines "pistol" as you do for the exact reasons you do.

[Rye Miles #13621]

Lots of ranges are called Rifle and Pistol clubs. I guess no revolvers are allowed huh? 🙄🙄🙄

[Sgt. C.J. Sabre, SASS #46770]

4 hours ago, Buckshot Bear said:

I've never had panties in a bunch, when I was younger I had a good collection in my glove box  

Maybe you should have done your laundry more often.

[Alpo]

7 hours ago, Marshal Mo Hare, SASS #45984 said:

It is a distinction used by a three/five letter agency which is not deserving of respect.

That's something that's always sort of tickled me.

 

The Newnited States gubmint has decided that a pistol is one of them semiautomatic doobers, and that thing with the turny cylinder is not a pistol but is a revolver.

 

And the people that get all upset about crap like that will be so happy to show you that the government says that that's not a pistol it's a revolver. The fact that the government uses those terms justifies their belief.

 

But if you point out to them that the same Newnited States gubmint calls that sound modulating device a silencer, not a suppressor --- they will tell you that the government is wrong.

[Sgt. C.J. Sabre, SASS #46770]

1 hour ago, Alpo said:

That's something that's always sort of tickled me.

 

The Newnited States gubmint has decided that a pistol is one of them semiautomatic doobers, and that thing with the turny cylinder is not a pistol but is a revolver.

 

And the people that get all upset about crap like that will be so happy to show you that the government says that that's not a pistol it's a revolver. The fact that the government uses those terms justifies their belief.

 

But if you point out to them that the same Newnited States gubmint calls that sound modulating device a silencer, not a suppressor --- they will tell you that the government is wrong.

People have already formed their opinions, they don't want to be confused with facts.

[Creeker, SASS #43022]

Amazing, so many so proud to be wrong.

[Black Angus McPherson]

4 hours ago, Creeker, SASS #43022 said:

Amazing, so many so proud to be wrong.

 

As they say, "If the shoe fits......"   

 

Angus

[Forty Rod SASS 3935]

18 hours ago, Buckshot Bear said:

ChatGPT

 

what is a pistol

 

ChatGPT said:

A pistol is a type of handgun — a small firearm designed to be held and fired with one hand.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

• 🔫 General definition: A pistol is a gun with a short barrel that fires bullets using the force of expanding gas from a gunpowder explosion.

• 🧩 Technical distinction:

  • Pistol often refers specifically to semi-automatic handguns, which use part of the energy from firing a round to load the next one automatically.

  • Revolvers, which have a rotating cylinder to hold ammunition, are also handguns but technically not pistols (though in casual speech, people sometimes call them pistols too).

• ⚙️ Basic parts:

  • Barrel – directs the bullet

  • Slide – moves back and forth when firing

  • Magazine – holds the ammunition

  • Trigger – releases the firing mechanism

  • Grip – where the shooter holds the gun

Would you like me to explain how a pistol works or the different types of pistols (e.g. semi-automatic vs revolver)?

Okay, there's that BS description again (first one under Technical Distinction).  Who told these people that a revolver isn't a pistol when history has called it one since gunpowder was invented and why doesn't someone tell them to read a good history book to see why they are wrong.

 

What's next, a cleaver isn't really a knife?  A hatchet or tomahawk isn't an axe?

 

Come on, people. We all know what we are talking about or hearing.  Why do people still think it's alright to re-name or re-describe something and everyone else should do their way or they get harassed about it .

[Jiminy Cricket]

I've always used Pistol to indicate a hand fired contraption.  Revolving pistol, semi-automatic pistol, flintlock pistol, and derringers, all being sub-categories.

The other major category would be Rifles, which I use to indicate shoulder fired contraptions.  Apparently, I insulted a guy once by calling his Carbine a Rifle.

[Eyesa Horg]

I pretty much follow the above!! Sometimes I say revolver trying to be PC, but in general they're all pistols to me!

[Subdeacon Joe]

6 hours ago, Creeker, SASS #43022 said:

Amazing, so many so proud to be wrong.

 

And prove it over and over by telling everyone else that they're wrong.

 

"Just because the inventor and manufacturers called it something for three-quarters of a century doesn't mean that they're right!"

[Eyesa Horg]

Like bullet or cartridge

Brass or case

[John Kloehr]

Ah, back in the old west, particularly near the southern border, when outlaws and revolvereros caused mayhem in each town they entered...

 

Edited November 12 by John Kloehr
Otto

[Eyesa Horg]

Wonder if anyone was ever told to "drop your revolver".

[Creeker, SASS #43022]

29 minutes ago, Subdeacon Joe said:

 

And prove it over and over by telling everyone else that they're wrong.

 

"Just because the inventor and manufacturers called it something for three-quarters of a century doesn't mean that they're right!"

 

I guess, if you repeat something long enough; it makes it true for all time?

 

So the Earth is still flat?

 

Women are witches?

 

Cigarettes are good for you?

 

Being wrong; even when repeated over and over is still wrong.

[El Sobrante Kid]

How many of you say "refrigerator" and how many say "ice box"? They are not the same thing, yet everyone understands what you are talking about. I suppose if someone really wants to piss in someone's Wheaties they can be a fusspot about it, but why. And why do we worry about what someone else wants to call things? Life too damn short!

[Alpo]

50 minutes ago, Subdeacon Joe said:

Just because the inventor and manufacturers called it something for three-quarters of a century doesn't mean that they're right!"

I've decided to follow this. From now on the manufacturer of the mustang will be known as woobadooba. Woobadooba Mustang, Woobadooba Thunderbird, Woobadooba F-150 pickup. Who cares that Henry Ford started the company and named it after himself? That was well over 100 years ago. Screw Henry Ford. We're now going to call it Woobadooba.

 

And if you don't call it Woobadooba, then you are WRONG!!!! Because I said so, and because I'm going to get some other people to agree with me. That will make me right.

[Eyesa Horg]

The OP was about objects,not brand names. 

How bout Kleenex or Band-Aids. 🤠

 

[Blackwater 53393]

Eliza, Elisabeth, Betsy, and Bess,

went to the woods to find a bird’s nest.

They found a nest with four eggs in it.

Took one apiece and left three in it!

 

 

[Alpo]

41 minutes ago, Eyesa Horg said:

The OP was about objects,not brand names. 

How bout Kleenex or Band-Aids. 🤠

 

 

 

Pretty sure that's a brand name.

[Creeker, SASS #43022]

1 hour ago, Alpo said:

And if you don't call it Woobadooba, then you are WRONG!!!! Because I said so, and because I'm going to get some other people to agree with me. That will make me right.

To use your very specific example, do you still call Nissan Cars; Datsun?

[Alpo]

The difference between my example and your example is that Datsun changed their name. Datsun decided they would not be Datsun anymore, but would be Nissan. Not the end user of the car - the drivers. Not car and driver magazine. Datsun. Just like Rambler changed their name to American Motors.

 

There was an article in Soldier of Fortune magazine explaining how silencers did not actually silence so they were not "silencers", they were suppressors. And people believed the magazine article.