Recoil is tapped to provide energy for ejecting the empty case, cocking the hammer, and chambering a new round. The pistol is now ready to fire again, chamber loaded, hammer cocked. The pistol is now ready to fire again, chamber loaded, hammer cocked. The first part of the trigger pull will cock the hammer, the final few ounces will release it. Recoil provides the energy to eject the fired case and chamber a new round only.
All handguns are more difficult to shoot adequately than are rifles.
A revolver is slightly easier for the novice to learn to operate well than a semi-auto. Semi-auto pistols require diligent effort to learn safe handling and marksmanship. No handgun can be made to do the job of a carbine or rifle.