Most often seen types of pistol are the single shot, revolver and semi-automatic.
Single shot pistol were mainly seen during the era of flintlock and musket weaponry where the pistol was loaded with a lead ball and fired by a percussion cap. However, as technology improved, so did the single shot pistol. New operating mechanisms were created, and due to this, they are still made today. They are often used to hunt game.
Multi barreled pistol were common during the same time as single shot pistols. As designers looked for ways to increase fire rates, multiple barrels were added to all guns including pistols. Some examples of multi-barreled pistols are Derringers and Duck's foot pistols.
The evolution of handguns between the rotating-barrel and the semi-automatic is defined as a revolver, with a rotating cylinder most often seen with 5 or 6 round capacities. These pistols are very common to be seen in "Old Western" movies (e.g., the Colt Single Action Army) and are known for reliability and accuracy if properly maintained.
A type of revolver requiring the hammer to be drawn back manually to rotate the cylinder and bring a fresh cartridge into battery for each shot. The Colt Paterson Revolver, the Walker Colt, the Colt's Dragoon and the Colt Single Action Army pistol of the American Frontier era are all good examples of this system
A type of revolver that can be used as a single action, but also one in which the pulling of the trigger cocks the hammer, rotates the cylinder, and releases the hammer to strike the cartridge directly in older designs; or to impact a striker which fires the cartridge in newer designs. Examples of the system include the Colt Model of 1917 Substitute Standard Revolver, the Smith & Wesson Model 10 (aka the S&W Military & Police Pistol), and the Smith & Wesson Model 29 made famous by the Dirty Harry films.
A type of revolver in which the pulling of the trigger cocks the hammer, rotates the cylinder to bring a new round into battery, and releases the hammer to strike the cartridge directly in older designs or to impact a striker which fires the cartridge in newer designs. In many cases, such as the Smith & Wesson Ladysmith, the hammer is contained within a shroud and cannot be accessed by the shooter. The advantages to this system are the speed of cycling and simplicity of use, as there is no safety to disengage. The disadvantage of shooting doube-action-only is the much heaver trigger pull required to cycle the action, which results in decreased accuracy on the part of the shooter.
Semi automatic pistol was next development of the pistol. Instead of using multiple barrels which all needed to be reloaded individually, semi-automatic pistols could deliver greater fire rate and only require a few seconds to reload depending on the skill of the shooter. They work by the fired cartridge generating enough kinetic energy to force the bolt back to allow the magazine spring to push another round into the chamber. This also includes certain types of revolvers.
A Machine Pistol is a fully automatic pistol. It utilises the same functions as a semi automatic pistol, similar gas reaction pushed the hammer back continuously until the magazine is emptied. This usually requires the fitting of a longer magazine or drum magazine.
| Pistol | Picture | Cartridge | Country | Year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Howdah pistol | .455 Webley |  British Empire | unknown | ||
| Ruger LC9 | 9x19 mm |  United States | 2011 | ||
| Hogue Avenger | .45 ACP |  Austria | 2010 | ||
| Ruger LCP | .380 ACP | United States | 2009 | ||
| CZ 2075 RAMI | 9x19 mm |  Czech Republic | 2007 | ||
| Fort 17 | 9x18mm Makarov |  Ukraine | 2007 | ||
| Freedom Arms single shot pistol | .375 Winchester | United States | 2007 | ||
| Ruger SR9 | 9x19 mm | United States | 2007 | ||
| SIG P250 DCc | 9x19 mm |  Germany | 2007 | ||
| Walther PPS | 9x19 mm .40 SW | Germany | 2007 | ||
| Caracal pistol | 9x19 mm |  United Arab Emirates | 2006 | ||
| Guncrafter Industries Model No. 2 | .50 GI | United States | 2006 | ||
| Heckler & Koch P30 | 9x19 mm | Germany | 2006 | ||
| Heckler & Koch UCP | 4.6x30 mm | Germany | 2006 | ||
| Kel-Tec PLR-16 | 5.56 NATO | United States | 2006 | ||
| Dan Wesson M1911 ACP pistol | .45 ACP | United States | 2005 | ||
| Danuvia VD-01 | 9x19 mm |  Hungary | 2005 | ||
| Glock 39 | .45 GAP | Austria | 2005 | ||
| Taurus Millennium PT140 | .40 S&W |  Brazil | 2005 | ||
| Taurus Millennium PT145 | .45 ACP | Brazil | 2005 | ||
| Taurus PT1911 | .45 ACP | Brazil | 2005 | ||
| Zamorana | 9x19 mm |  Venezuela | 2005 | ||
| Zastava CZ05 | 9x19 mm |  Serbia | 2005 | ||
| Beretta Px4 Storm | 9x19 mm .40 S&W |  Italy | 2004 | ||
| Brügger & Thomet MP9 | 9x19mm Parabellum |  Switzerland | 2004 | ||
| Glock 38 | .45 GAP | Austria | 2004 | ||
| Kel-Tec P-3AT | .380 ACP | United States | 2004 | ||
| PP-2000 | 9x19 mm |  Russia | 2004 | ||
| Taurus PT 24/7 | 9x19 mm .40 S&W .45 ACP | Brazil | 2004 | ||
| Fort 14 | 9x18mm Makarov | Ukraine | 2003 | ||
| FN FNP series | 9x19 mm |  Belgium | 2003 | ||
| Glock 37 | .45 GAP | Austria | 2003 | ||
| Ruger P345 | .45 ACP | United States | 2003 | ||
| Beretta 92G-SD/96G-SD | 9x19 mm | Italy | 2002 | ||
| QSW-06 | 5.8x21mm DAP92 |  China | 2002 | ||
| Heckler & Koch MP7 | 4.6x30 mm | Germany | 2001 | ||
| Heckler & Koch P2000 | 9x19 mm | Germany | 2001 | ||
| Beretta U22 Neos | .22 LR | Italy | 2000s | ||
| Carbon 15 Type 21 | 9x19 mm | United States | 2000s | ||
| Carbon 15 Type 21S | 9x19 mm | United States | 2000s | ||
| Carbon 15 Type 97 | 9x19 mm | United States | 2000s | ||
| Carbon 15 Type 97S | 9x19 mm | United States | 2000s | ||
| Carbon 15 9mm | 9x19 mm | United States | 2000s | ||
| CZ 110 | 9x19 mm | Czech Republic | 2000s | ||
| LP01 | 9x19 mm |  Malaysia | 2000s | ||
| PH-45 | .45 ACP | Ukraine | 2000s | ||
| Tanfoglio Combat Sport | 9x19 mm | Italy | 2000s | ||
| Tisas Zigana C45 | .45 ACP |  Turkey | 2000s | ||
| Tisas Zigana K | 9x19 mm | Turkey | 2000s | ||
| Tisas Zigana M16 | 9x19 mm | Turkey | 2000s | ||
| Tisas Zigana T | 9x19 mm | Turkey | 2000s | ||
| FN Five-seveN | 5.7x28mm | Belgium | 2000 | ||
| Guncrafter Industries Model No. 1 | .50 GI | United States | 2000 | ||
| Pistol model 2000 | 9x19 mm |  Romania | 2000 | ||
| VBR-Belgium CQBW | 7.92x24mm 5.7x28mm 4.6x30mm | Belgium | 2000 | ||
| TC-10 | 9x19 mm | United Kingdom | 19?? | ||
| Arsenal P-M02 | 9x19mm |  Bulgaria | 1999 | ||
| Kel-Tec P-32 | .32 ACP | United States | 1999 | ||
| SIG P228 | 9x19 mm | Switzerland | 1999 | ||
| SIG P229 | 9x19 mm .40 S&W .357 SIG | Switzerland | 1999 | ||
| Springfield Armory XD | 9x19 mm |  Croatia | 1999 | ||
| Steyr M | 9x19 mm | Austria | 1999 | ||
| Zastava CZ999 | 9x19 mm | Serbia | 1999 | ||
| Kimber Custom TLE II | .45 ACP | United States | 1998 | ||
| Tanfoglio T95 | 9x19 mm | Italy | 1998 | ||
| Glock 29 | 10mm Auto | Austria | 1997 | ||
| IM Metal HS 2000 | 9x19 mm .357 SIG .45 ACP | Croatia | 1997 | ||
| Kimber Custom | .45 ACP | United States | 1997 | ||
| Tanfoglio Force | 9x19 mm | Italy | 1997 | ||
| SIG P226 | 9x19 mm .40 S&W .357 SIG | Switzerland | 1996 | ||
| Vektor CP1 | 9x19 mm |  South Africa | 1996 | ||
| Walther P22 | .22 LR | Germany | 1996 | ||
| Walther P99 | 9x19 mm .40 SW | Germany | 1996 | ||
| Bersa Thunder 380 | .380 ACP |  Argentina | 1995 | ||
| CZ 100 | 9x19 mm | Czech Republic | 1995 | ||
| Glock 26 | 9x19 mm | Austria | 1995 | ||
| Kimber Aegis | 9x19 mm | United States | 1995 | ||
| OTs-33 Pernach | 9x18mm Makarov | Russia | 1995 | ||
| P-96 | 9x18 mm Makarov | Russia | 1995 | ||
| Ruger MP9 | 9x19 mm | United States | 1995 | ||
| Arcus 94 | 9x19 mm | Bulgaria | 1994 | ||
| Bersa Thunder 9 | 9x19 mm | Argentina | 1994 | ||
| Beretta 8000 | 9x19 mm | Italy | 1994 | ||
| OTs-27 | 9x18mm Makarov | Russia | 1994 | ||
| QSZ-92 | 5.8x21mm DAP92 9x19 mm | China | 1994 | ||
| Ruger P97 | .40 S&W | United States | 1994 | ||
| Star Firestar M43 | 9x19 mm |  Spain | 1994 | ||
| CZ 92 | 9x19 mm | Czech Republic | 1992 | ||
| Ruger P95 | 9x19 mm | United States | 1992 | ||
| Vektor SP | 9x19 mm | South Africa | 1992 | ||
| Browning BDM | 9x19 mm | United States | 1991 | ||
| Glock 20 | 10mm Auto | Austria | 1991 | ||
| Glock 22 | .40 S&W | Austria | 1991 | ||
| Heckler & Koch MK23 | .45 ACP | Germany | 1991 | ||
| Kel-Tec P-11 | 9x19 mm | United States | 1991 | ||
| OTs-02 Kiparis | 9x18mm Makarov | Russia | 1991 | ||
| Ruger P89 | 9x19 mm | United States | 1991 | ||
| Ruger P90 | .45 ACP | United States | 1991 | ||
| Beretta 9000 | 9x19 mm .40 S&W | Italy | 1990s | ||
| Colt SOCOM | .45 ACP | United States | 1990s | ||
| Fort 12 | 9x18mm Makarov | Ukraine | 1990s | ||
| Glock 21 | .45 ACP | Austria | 1990s | ||
| Glock 23 | .40 S&W | Austria | 1990s | ||
| Glock 24 | .40 S&W | Austria | 1990s | ||
| Glock 25 | .380 ACP | Austria | 1990s | ||
| Glock 27 | .40 S&W | Austria | 1990s | ||
| Glock 28 | .380 ACP | Austria | 1990s | ||
| Glock 30 | .45 ACP | Austria | 1990s | ||
| Glock 31 | .357 SIG | Austria | 1990s | ||
| Glock 32 | .357 SIG | Austria | 1990s | ||
| Glock 33 | .357 SIG | Austria | 1990s | ||
| Glock 34 | 9x19 mm | Austria | 1990s | ||
| Glock 35 | .40 S&W | Austria | 1990s | ||
| Glock 36 | .45 ACP | Austria | 1990s | ||
| Hi-Point .45 ACP | .45 ACP | United States | 1990s | ||
| Hi-Point Model 40 SW | .40 S&W | United States | 1990s | ||
| Kahr Arms T9 | 9x19 mm .40 S&W .45 ACP | United States | 1990s | ||
| Kahr Arms P9 | 9x19 mm .40 S&W .45 ACP | United States | 1990s | ||
| Kahr Arms CW9 | 9x19 mm .40 S&W .45 ACP | United States | 1990s | ||
| Kahr Arms MK9 | 9x19 mm .40 S&W .45 ACP | United States | 1990s | ||
| OTs-23 DROTIK | 5.45x18mm | Russia | 1990s | ||
| SIG P239 | 9x19 mm .40 S&W .357 SIG | Switzerland | 1990s | ||
| Star Ultrastar | 9x19 mm | Spain | 1990s | ||
| Steyr TMP | 9x19 mm | Austria | 1990s | ||
| Zastava CZ99 | 9x19 mm | Serbia | 1990s | ||
| Akdal Ghost | 9x19 mm | Turkey | 1990 | ||
| Claridge Hi-Tec/Goncz Pistol | 9x19 mm | United States | 1990 | ||
| Daewoo DP51 | 9x19 mm |  South Korea | 1990 | ||
| Jericho 941 | 9x19 mm .45 ACP |  Israel | 1990 | ||
| M9 Pistol | 9x19 mm | Italy United States | 1990 | ||
| MGP-15 submachine gun | 9x19 mm |  Peru | 1990 | ||
| Minebea PM-9 | 9x19 mm |  Japan | 1990 | ||
| Bersa 83 | .380 ACP | Argentina | 1989 | ||
| Heckler & Koch USP | 9x19 mm .357 SIG .40 S&W .45 ACP | Germany | 1989 | ||
| Glock 19 | 9x19 mm | Austria | 1988 | ||
| Para-Ordnance P14-45 | .45 ACP .40 S&W .38 Super |  Canada | 1988 | ||
| Walther P88 | 9x19 mm | Germany | 1988 | ||
| CZ-97B | 45 ACP | Czech Republic | 1987 | ||
| Llama (pistol) | 9x19 mm | Spain | 1986 | ||
| Norinco NP-22 | 9x19 mm | China | 1986 | ||
| TP-82 | .50 BMG |  Soviet Union | 1986 | ||
| Browning Buck Mark | .22 LR | United States | 1985 | ||
| CZ 85 | 9x19 mm | Czech Republic | 1985 | ||
| Ruger P85 | 9x19 mm | United States | 1985 | ||
| Star Z84 | 9x19 mm | Spain | 1985 | ||
| Goncz GA-9 | 9x19 mm | United States | 1984 | ||
| Bren Ten | 10 mm Auto .45 ACP | United States | 1983 | ||
| COP 357 Derringer | .357 Magnum | United States | 1983 | ||
| PSS | 7.62x41mm | Russia | 1983 | ||
| Taurus PT92 | 9x19 mm | Brazil | 1983 | ||
| ALFA Defender | 9x19 mm .40 S&W .45 ACP | Czech Republic | 1982 | ||
| Astra A-80 | 9x19 mm .38 Super .45 ACP | Spain | 1982 | ||
| CZ P-01 | 9x19 mm | Czech Republic | 1980s | ||
| Pistol AUTO 9 mm 1A | 9x19 mm |  India | 1980s | ||
| Semmerling compact pistol | .45 ACP | United States | 1980s | ||
| UZI Pistol | 9x19 mm | Israel | 1980s | ||
| ALFA Combat | 9x19 mm .40 S&W .45 ACP | Czech Republic | 1980 | ||
| Glock 17 | 9x19 mm | Austria | 1980 | ||
| Glock 18 | 9x19 mm | Austria | 1980 | ||
| Norinco NZ-75 | 9x19 mm | China | 1980 | ||
| Type 80 pistol | 7.62x25mm Tokarev | China | 1980 | ||
| Beretta 21 Bobcat | .25 ACP | Italy | 1979 | ||
| Beretta 3032 Tomcat | .32 ACP | Italy | 1979 | ||
| Desert Eagle | .44 Magnum .50 Action Express | United States | 1979 | ||
| Beretta 93R | 9x19 mm | Italy | 1978 | ||
| AMT Hardballer | .45 ACP | United States | 1977 | ||
| Beretta Cheetah | .32 ACP | Italy | 1976 | ||
| Beretta 87 Target | .22 LR | Italy | 1976 | ||
| Heckler & Koch P7 | 9x19 mm .380 ACP | West Germany | 1976 | ||
| Type 77 pistol | 7.62x17mm Type 64 9x19 mm | China | 1976 | ||
| Beretta 92 | 9x19 mm | Italy | 1975 | ||
| CZ 75 | 9x19 mm | Czech Republic | 1975 | ||
| MAB PA-15 | 9x19 mm |  France | 1975 | ||
| PAMAS modèle G1 | 9x19 mm | France | 1975 | ||
| SIG P220 | 9x19 mm | Switzerland | 1975 | ||
| MAC-11 | .380 ACP | United States | 1972 | ||
| Colt SCAMP | .221 Remington Fireball | United States | 1971 | ||
| PSM | 5.45x18mm | Russia | 1971 | ||
| SPP-1 Underwater Pistol | 4.5x39R | Soviet Union | 1971 | ||
| ASP | 9x19 mm | United States | 1970s | ||
| AMT Automag II | .22 WMR | United States | 1970s | ||
| AMT AutoMag III | .30 Carbine | United States | 1970s | ||
| AMT AutoMag IV | .45 Winchester Magnum | United States | 1970s | ||
| AMT Automag V | .50 Action Express | United States | 1970s | ||
| CZ SP-01 | 9x19 mm | Czech Republic | 1970s | ||
| FEG P9R | 9x19 mm | Hungary | 1970s | ||
| Heckler & Koch P11 | 7.62x36 mm | West Germany | 1970s | ||
| Intratec TEC-DC9 | 9x19 mm | United States | 1970s | ||
| Mamba | 9x19 mm | South Africa | 1970s | ||
| Walther P5 | 9x19 mm | Germany | 1970s | ||
| Heckler & Koch VP70 | 9x19 mm | West Germany | 1970 | ||
| MAC-10 | .45 ACP | United States | 1970 | ||
| Mk 1 Underwater Defense Gun | Mark 59 Mod 0 Projectile | United States | 1970 | ||
| Zastava M70 | .32 ACP .380 ACP | Serbia | 1970 | ||
| AutoMag (pistol) | .44 magnum | United States | 1969 | ||
| FEG P9M | 9x19 mm | Hungary | 1969 | ||
| Heckler & Koch HK4 | .22 LR | West Germany | 1967 | ||
| Cobra | 9x19 mm |  Rhodesia | 1965 | ||
| Heckler & Koch P9 | 9x19 mm | West Germany | 1965 | ||
| Kommando LDP | 9x19 mm | Rhodesia | 1965 | ||
| Lucznik Arms Factory P-64 | 9x18 mm Makarov |  Poland | 1965 | ||
| Deer gun | 9x19 mm | United States | 1964 | ||
| Remington XP-100 | .221 Remington Fireball | United States | 1963 | ||
| Škorpion vz. 61 | .32 ACP |  Czechoslovakia | 1961 | ||
| Walther TPH | .22 LR .25 ACP | Germany | 1961 | ||
| AMT Skipper | .45 ACP | United States | 1960s | ||
| Gyrojet | 13x50mm rocket | United States | 1960s | ||
| Ruger Hawkeye | .256 Winchester Magnum | United States | 1960s | ||
| Type 64 pistol | 7.62x17mm Type 64 | China | 1960 | ||
| Zastava M57 | 7.62x25 Tokarev | Serbia | 1957 | ||
| Beretta 950 Jetfire | .25 ACP | Italy | 1952 | ||
| Beretta M 1951 | 9x19 mm | Italy | 1951 | ||
| Makarov PM | 9x18mm Makarov | Soviet Union Russia | 1951 | ||
| Trejo pistol | .22LR / .380 ACP |  Mexico | 1950s | ||
| Lercker pistol | .32 ACP | Italy | 1950 | ||
| FN Forty-Nine | 9x19 mm | Belgium | 1949 | ||
| SIG P210 | 9x19 mm | Switzerland | 1949 | ||
| Stechkin APS | 9x19 mm 9x18mm Makarov | Soviet Union | 1948 | ||
| FP-45 Liberator | .45 ACP | United States | 1942 | ||
| Volkspistole | 9x19 mm |  Germany | 1940s | ||
| ČZ vz. 38 | .380 ACP | Czechoslovakia | 1938 | ||
| Sauer 38H | .32 ACP | Germany | 1938 | ||
| Walther P38 | 9x19 mm | Germany | 1938 | ||
| Welrod | .32 ACP | Great Britain | 1938 | ||
| Beretta M 1935 | .32 ACP | Italy | 1935 | ||
| Husqvarna M/40 | 9x19 mm |  Finland | 1935 | ||
| Vis pistol | 9x19 mm | Poland | 1935 | ||
| Beretta M 1934 | .380 ACP | Italy | 1934 | ||
| Obregón pistol | .45 ACP | Mexico | 1934 | ||
| Type 94 Nambu | 8x22mm Nambu |  Japan | 1934 | ||
| MAB Model D | .32 ACP | France | 1933 | ||
| Tokarev TT-33 | 7.62x25mm Tokarev | Russia | 1933 | ||
| MAB Model B | .25 ACP | France | 1932 | ||
| Delacre | 9x19 mm | France | 1931 | ||
| Walther PPK | .22 LR .380 ACP |  Germany | 1931 | ||
| Inglis Hi-Power | 9x19 mm .357 SIG .40 S&W | Canada | 1930s | ||
| Tokarev TT-30 | 7.62x25mm Tokarev | Russia | 1930 | ||
| Walther PP | .22 LR .380 ACP | Germany | 1929 | ||
| Astra Model 900 | 7.63x25mm Mauser | Spain | 1927 | ||
| Ballester-Molina | .45 ACP | Argentina | 1927 | ||
| ČZ vz. 27 | .32 ACP | Czechoslovakia | 1927 | ||
| FN Hi-Power | 9x19 mm | Belgium | 1925 | ||
| Type 14 Nambu | 8x22mm Nambu | Japan | 1925 | ||
| JO.LO.AR. | .380 ACP 9 mm Largo | Spain | 1924 | ||
| Mossberg Brownie | .22 LR | United States | 1922 | ||
| Astra 400 | 9x19 mm | Spain | 1921 | ||
| Browning Hi-Power | 9x19 mm .40 S&W | United States | 1921 | ||
| CZ vz. 22 | .380 ACP | Czechoslovakia | 1921 | ||
| MAB Model A | .25 ACP | France | 1920s | ||
| Beretta 418 | .25 ACP | Italy | 1919 | ||
| Steyr M1912 | 9 mm Steyr |  Austria–Hungary | 1912 | ||
| Colt M1911 | .45 ACP | United States | 1911 | ||
| FN model 1910 | .380 ACP | Belgium | 1910 | ||
| Glisenti Model 1910 | 9 mm Glisenti | Italy | 1910 | ||
| Luger P08 pistol | 9x19 mm |  Germany | 1910 | ||
| Baby Nambu | 7x20mm Nambu | Japan | 1906 | ||
| Garrucha (pistol) | .32 S&W .38 S&W | Brazil | 1902 | ||
| Nambu pistol | 8x22mm Nambu | Japan | 1902 | ||
| Bergmann-Bayard pistol | 9mm Largo | Belgium | 1901 | ||
| Mauser C96 | 7.63x25mm Mauser | Germany | 1899 | ||
| Mars Automatic Pistol | .45 Mars Long and others | United Kingdom | 1890s | ||
| Lancaster pistol | .455 Webley | British Empire | 1860 | ||
| Remington Rider Single Shot Pistol | 4.3 mm | United States | 1860 | ||
| Remington Zig-Zag Derringer | .22 LR | United States | 1860 | ||
| Harpers Ferry Model 1805 | .58 calibre ball | United States | 1805 | ||
| Duck foot pistol | .45 ACP[citation needed] | United Kingdom | 1800s | ||
| Nock gun | .52 calibre ball | United Kingdom | 1779 |
