page_title: Firearm
section_title: Handguns
hierarchical_section_title: Firearm / Types / Configuration / Handguns
caption_attribution_description: English: Single Action Army at full cock
context_page_description: A firearm is a type of gun designed to be readily carried and used by a single individual. The term is legally defined further in different countries.
  The first primitive firearms originated in 10th-century China, when bamboo tubes containing gunpowder and pellet projectiles were mounted on spears to make the portable fire lance, operable by a single person, which was later used to good effect in the Siege of De'an in 1132. In the 13th century, the Chinese invented the metal-barreled hand cannon, widely considered the true ancestor of all firearms. The technology gradually spread throughout the rest of East Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. Older firearms typically used black powder as a propellant, but modern firearms use smokeless powder or other propellants. Most modern firearms have rifled barrels to impart spin to the projectile for improved flight stability.
  Modern firearms can be described by their caliber. For pistols and rifles this is given in millimeters or inches, or in the case of shotguns by their gauge. They are also described by the type of action employed, together with the usual means of deportment.
context_section_description: The smallest of all firearms is the handgun.
  In South African law, a 'handgun' means a pistol or revolver which can be held in and discharged with one hand. In Australia, law considers as a handgun a firearm carry-able or concealable about the person; or
  capable of being raised and fired by one hand; or not exceeding 65 centimeters
  There are two common types of handguns: revolvers and semi-automatic pistols. Revolvers have a number of firing chambers or "charge holes" in a revolving cylinder; each chamber in the cylinder is loaded with a single cartridge or charge. Semi-automatic pistols have a single fixed firing-chamber machined into the rear of the barrel, and a magazine so they can be used to fire more than one round. Each press of the trigger fires a cartridge, using the energy of the cartridge to activate a mechanism so that the next cartridge may be fired immediately. This is opposed to "double-action" revolvers, which accomplish the same end using a mechanical action linked to the trigger pull.
  With the invention of the revolver in 1818, handguns capable of holding multiple rounds became popular. Certain designs of auto-loading pistol appeared beginning in the 1870s and had largely supplanted revolvers in military applications by the end of World War I. By the end of the 20th century, most handguns carried regularly by military, police and civilians were semi-automatic, although revolvers were still widely used. Generally speaking, military and police forces use semi-automatic pistols due to their high magazine capacities and ability to rapidly reload by simply removing the empty magazine and inserting a loaded one. Revolvers are very common among handgun hunters because revolver cartridges are usually more powerful than similar caliber semi-automatic pistol cartridges (which are designed for self-defense) and the strength, simplicity and durability of the revolver design is well-suited to outdoor use. Revolvers, especially in .22 LR and 38 Special/357 Magnum, are also common concealed weapons in jurisdictions allowing this practice because their simple mechanics make them smaller than many autoloaders while remaining reliable. Both designs are common among civilian gun owners, depending on the owner's intention (self-defense, hunting, target shooting, competitions, collecting, etc.).
caption: A Colt Single Action Army revolver
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