Handgun vs. Pistol — What's the Difference?

A handgun is a short-barrelled firearm that can be held and used with one hand. The two most common handgun sub-types in use today are revolvers and semi-automatic pistols, although other handgun-types such as derringers and machine pistols also see infrequent usage.

A pistol is a handgun, more specifically one with the chamber integral to its gun barrel, though in common usage the two terms are often used interchangeably. The English word was introduced in ca.

A firearm that can be used with one hand.

A handgun, especially one that is not a revolver.

A small gun with a relatively short barrel, designed to be held and operated with a single hand.

(Slang) A rowdy or rambunctious person, especially a child.

A firearm that is held and fired with one hand

To shoot with a pistol.

A handgun

The mechanical component of a fuse in a bomb or torpedo responsible for firing the detonator.

A creative and unpredictable jokester, a constant source of entertainment and surprises.

(Southern US) A small boy who is bright, alert and very active.

(American football) An offensive formation in which the quarterback receives the snap at a distance behind the center, but closer than in a shotgun formation, with a running back lined up behind him.

(transitive) To shoot (at) a target with a pistol.

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.

To shoot with a pistol.

A firearm that is held and fired with one hand