Pistol Cartridges Each of the many types of pistols can be subdivided by cartridge too. Today, pistols and revolvers are chambered in a wide variety of cartridges ranging from .17- and .22-caliber ...

Because the BATF’s definition of a pistol is so broad, a variety of handguns with different action types qualify. There are semi-automatic pistols, break-action pistols, bolt-action pistols, and ...

That’s partly true because many manufacturers make many different models of handguns, but there are really only two types of handguns. Your choice is limited to either a revolver or a pistol .