The smallest firearm used, intended to be fired from one hand, -- now of many patterns, and bearing a great variety of names. See Illust. of Revolver.
A gun that has a short barrel and can be held, aimed, and fired with one hand.
A short firearm intended to be held and fired with one hand.
(n.) Traditionally, a handgun not a revolver, e.g., a single-shot, multi-barrel, or semiautomatic. In current use the term includes revolvers.
A generic term for a hand-held firearm.
Small concealable handgun generally not a revolver. Available in single or multi shot.
a firearm that is held and fired with one hand
a defensive weapon, you use it at short distances
a hand-operated firearm having a chamber integral with or permanently aligned with the bore
a lousy offensive weapon--except at VERY short ranges, and the best defensive short range weapon is a shotgun
an emergency defensive weapon designed to turn someone off who is trying to kill you at close range
a particular little weapon this is held within the hand
a personal firearm that can be used one-handed without penalty
a small weapon that is held in the hand
a tool, and like all hand tools, it is just an extention of the hand
a usually small, projectile weapon, normally fired with one hand
A gun designed to be held by one hand
Originally, any firearm designed to be fired one-handed. In contemporary American usage, the term "pistol" is limited to handguns in which the barrel and chamber form a single unit, i.e., self-loaders and single shots. It is considered erroneous to apply the term "pistol" to a revolver. However, this distinction is of fairly recent origin. Colt referred to its revolvers as "pistols" at least into the 1880's, and the British military officially designated their service revolvers as "pistols" as late as the WWII era. The origin of this word is particularly obscure. Some trace it to the Italian town of Pistoia, an early gunmaking center. Another explanation derives from a Bohemian handgun called a "pist'ala" from a Czech word for "pipe." Several other more fanciful etymologies exist.
A hand-held firearm in which the ammunition is chambered in the breech of the barrel.
Another term for handgun. Some claim that it refers only to semi-automatic handguns, but this is an incorrect bit of firearms lore.
1 Loosely, any weapon designed to be fired by one hand. In this sense revolvers are included. 2 A firearm designed to be fired by one hand, the bore of which is integral with or permanently aligned with the chamber. Both single shot and magazine pistols are in use. In this more precise sense revolvers are not included.
A semi-automatic handgun.
(see DL-44 Heavy Blaster Pistol in the weapon section). Synonymous : bryar
A relatively short gun, usually under 24 inches long and held in one or both hands. Typically it will fire a reduced load cartridge compared to a rifle and normally in modern construction the barrel will be rifled to improve accuracy. See also the entries for Automatic and Revolver.
Synonymous with "handgun." A gun that is generally held in one hand. It may be of the single-shot, multi-barrel, repeating or semi-automatic variety and includes revolvers.
A pistol or handgun is a small firearm (typically less than about 30 cm [about 12 inches] long) designed with only one handgrip and intended to be used with one hand or with two hands wrapped around the one handgrip.