Pistol

For the coin, see pistole

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For the part of a flower, see pistil.

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A pistol or handgun is a usually small firearm that can be used with one hand. There are three commons types of pistols: single-shot pistols, revolvers, and automatic pistols. In the 15th century the term "pistol" was used for small knives and daggers which could be concealed in a person's clothing. By the 18th century the term came to be used exclusively to refer to small firearms, or additionally, and more recently, similar devices designed for the aimed discharge of projectiles by the force of gas pressure stored by means other than chemical ("air pistol"). Although all handguns are generally referred to as pistols, some restrict the term "pistol" to single-chamber handguns, such as semiautomatic or single-shot pistols, as opposed to multichambered revolvers or multibarreled derringers, and use handgun for the broader category.

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The term may be derived from the French pistole (or pistolet), which, in turn, comes from the Czech p???ala (flute or pipe, referring to the shape of a Hussite firearm). Other suggestions have been made—that it comes from city of Pistoia, Italy, where perhaps a manufacturer was one Camillio Vettelli in the 1540s; or that early pistols were carried by cavalry in holsters hung from the pommel (or pistallo in medieval French) of a horse's saddle.

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Pistols are used mainly by police officers, military personnel, civilians who want a compact self-defense weapon, or for shooting sports. Some specialized pistols are also used for hunting. Where available, semiautomatic pistols have become the weapon of choice for civilians, making them widely used outside of the police and military realms where they first became popular over the revolver.

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For some military usage, the widespread introduction of body armor has rendered the pistol ineffective. Personal defense weapons are beginning to replace them in some situations.

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Hunting pistols often have longer barrels than a typical police or military pistol, and are often equipped with telescopic sights. Consequently, they are generally less concealable and some cannot be carried in a holster.

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Firearm: A firearm is a kinetic energy mechanical device that fires either single or multiple projectiles propelled at high velocity by the gases produced by action of the rapid confined burning of a propellant. This process of rapid burning is technically known as deflagration. In older firearms, this prope...

15th century: As a means of recording the passage of time, the 15th century was that century which lasted from 1401 to 1500....

18th century: As a means of recording the passage of time, the 18th century refers to the century that lasted from 1701 through 1800 in the Gregorian calendar....

Pistol related Images and Photos (experimental)

Pistol: The Birth of a Legend	Pistol Firing Deadpool Tee for Men	John Wayne 'Pistol' Cutout	Community Pistol Patty's Cowboy Creamery T-Shirt
Star Trek Enterprise Phase Pistol Prop Replica	Firefly Serenity Malcolm Reynolds Pistol Prop Replica	Law Enforcement Badge Cap Pistol and Portrait CA	Star Trek The Cage Laser Pistol Prop Replica
Gears of War 3 C.O.G. Snub Pistol Prop Replica	Max Force Maximizer 60 Pistol