Single-action[edit]

In a single-action revolver, the hammer is manually cocked, usually with the thumb of the firing
or supporting hand.

Swing out

The most modern method of loading and unloading a revolver is by means of the swing out cylinder.[36]
The cylinder is mounted on a pivot that is parallel to the chambers, and the cylinder swings out and
down (to the left in most cases). An extractor is fitted, operated by a rod projecting from the front of the
cylinder assembly. When pressed, it will push all fired rounds free simultaneously (as in top break
models, the travel is

Break type

In a top-break revolver, the frame is hinged at the bottom front of the cylinder. Releasing the lock and
pushing the barrel down exposes the rear face of the cylinder. In most top-break revolvers, this act also
operates an extractor that pushes the cartridges in the chambers back far enough that they will

DERRINGERS

A "derringer" is a type of handgun that is very small and short. It has one barrel or often two
"barrels" (actually "bores") together in one barrel structure that hinges down in front to enable
the cartridge(s) to be loaded directly into the back end of the barrel. Such guns have been built
with several bores. The design is named after the inventor or an early maker of such guns,
although with a spelling error.

A 9mm is generally cheaper, has less recoil and higher velocity than a .45 ACP.
The .45 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol) cartridge holds bullets that have a diameter of
.452 inches (11.5mm) so it is slightly larger than the 9mm (.355 inch bullets). Both
cartridges have a long history and were first designed over 100 years ago.