# Why isn’t a revolver considered a “semi-automatic” handgun? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 15, 2003, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isn-t-a-revolver-considered-a-semi-automatic-handgun/155332 "2003-02-15T23:55:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Speaker\_for\_the\_Dead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c77e96/32.png) [@Speaker\_for\_the\_Dead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Speaker_for_the_Dead)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2003, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isn-t-a-revolver-considered-a-semi-automatic-handgun/155332/21 "2003-02-16T15:10:32Z")
I thought the Gattling Gun relied on the hand-crank? Or have I been decieved by the ever-so-honest Hollywood? ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2003, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isn-t-a-revolver-considered-a-semi-automatic-handgun/155332/22 "2003-02-16T15:21:25Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Max Torque \* > \*\*Whoa, there, Kemo Sabe! That just ain’t true! There are guns a’plenty that require manually operating the action before pulling the trigger will fire another shot. Here I’m thinking of rifles and shotguns that belong to the lever action, pump action, and bolt action families (hinge action, you can get two shots off before you have to manually work the action). > > Handguns, they’re a different story. But you just said “guns,” and what kind of friend would I be if I didn’t nitpick? \*\* True, I probably failed to consider that the OP meant “fires with pulling the trigger, not having had to do anything else.” I was thinking of the gun, whatever type, being loaded and cocked. I think I missed the point when made that response. ---
**Author:** ![TBone2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6a8cbe/32.png) [@TBone2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBone2)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2003, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isn-t-a-revolver-considered-a-semi-automatic-handgun/155332/23 "2003-02-16T15:53:30Z")
The original Gatling gun _did_ rely on a hand crank for operation. The Vulcan cannon (and similar weapons) use the principle of the Gatling gun (multiple rotating barrels), but use an electric or hydraulic motor instead of a hand crank. The Mateba?? Who would want one? What’s it good for? What a dumb idea! ---
**Author:** ![TheLadyLion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d78d45/32.png) [@TheLadyLion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheLadyLion)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2003, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isn-t-a-revolver-considered-a-semi-automatic-handgun/155332/24 "2003-02-16T16:35:53Z")
Hand cranked Gatling guns are not legally classified as a machine gun, they are typically title one weapons like any ordinary rifle. Powered guns like the M61 Vulcan and GE miniguns are classified as machine guns. There are a few transferrable miniguns in the regsitry which fetch around $250k. A member of my CAS club has a Gatling gun business and owns a reproduction gun he brings to major shoots. Anyone can blaze away for $1 a shot. Johnny L.A., the Gatling gun isn’t a destructive device like a street sweeper as long as it’s less than .50 caliber. Weapons over .50 caliber aside from sporting shotguns can be classified as DDs. Original Gatling guns were .45-70. There **was** a semi-automatic revolver, the Webley Fosbury. The barrel and cylinder move backward with recoil and the cylinder is rotated for the next shot by a cam cut into its surface riding against a pin in the frame. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2003, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isn-t-a-revolver-considered-a-semi-automatic-handgun/155332/25 "2003-02-16T16:57:31Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by pkbites \* > \*\*Nope. Wrong. The[SKS](http://www.canadianshooter.net/spot_sks.html) > and the [AK-47](http://kalashnikov.guns.ru/models/ka50.html) are 2 entirely different rifles. \*\* Plus there is a common confusion between the true SKS as mentioned above, and the similar-_looking_ Chinese [Type 68](http://world.guns.ru/assault/as48-e.htm), which some less conscientious dealers/aficionados sometimes just call “an SKS” though it isn’t. BTW notice that the article says unmodified PLA-issue Type 68s were still not truly compatible with AK magazines. I seem to recall from somewhere that the Yugoslavs did make an OEM detachable-mag SKS, but can’t remember if that in turn was compatible with THEIR version of the AK. ---
**Author:** ![t-keela](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a3d4f5/32.png) [@t-keela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/t-keela)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2003, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isn-t-a-revolver-considered-a-semi-automatic-handgun/155332/26 "2003-02-16T17:02:52Z")
Single Shot Pistols (Black Powder or Cartridge) Revolving Pistols (black powder or cartridge) Semi-Automatic Pistols (gas, recoil and blowback) Semi-Automatic Revolving Pistols (Webley Fosbury) (Full) Automatic Pistols (usually rare variations of existing semi-automatic pistols) [http://www.jouster.com/trivia/difference.html](http://www.jouster.com/trivia/difference.html) ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2003, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isn-t-a-revolver-considered-a-semi-automatic-handgun/155332/27 "2003-02-16T21:12:21Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by TheLadyLion \* > \*\*There are a few transferrable miniguns in the regsitry which fetch around $250k. > \*\* I saw one in action last summer, probably shot off 10,000+ rounds. Oh man, there’s nothing to compare it to. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2003, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isn-t-a-revolver-considered-a-semi-automatic-handgun/155332/28 "2003-02-16T21:14:00Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by GusNSpot \* > \*\*So a Vulcan Cannon (Gattling Gun) is not an automatic? \< veg \> \*\* Well, it uses recoil energy to load the chamber (I think it has a single chamber, 6 barrels) for the next round, so it could be considered automatic. The motor is turning the barrels, but the explosions are powering the actual loading of the chamber. ---
**Author:** ![Padeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@Padeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Padeye)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2003, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isn-t-a-revolver-considered-a-semi-automatic-handgun/155332/29 "2003-02-16T22:34:15Z")
I’m pretty certain the M61 and similar rotary guns all have barrels with intergal chambers like a rifle. There is no way to seal a chamber to barrel gap effectively with high pressure ammunition. It would also defeat the biggest advantage of a rotary gun, the ability to operate several times faster than a single barrel weapon could. One barrel is firing while the others are in different phases of loading and extracting. ---
**Author:** ![Padeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@Padeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Padeye)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2003, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isn-t-a-revolver-considered-a-semi-automatic-handgun/155332/30 "2003-02-16T22:43:27Z")
Augh, I just noticed I was logged in as TheLadyLion when I made the post above. Taht’s what we get for sharing my mom’s computer. ---
**Author:** ![TBone2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6a8cbe/32.png) [@TBone2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBone2)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2003, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isn-t-a-revolver-considered-a-semi-automatic-handgun/155332/31 "2003-02-17T01:30:58Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Padeye \* > \*\*One barrel is firing while the others are in different phases of loading and extracting. \*\* …and _cooling!_ One of the worst failures of early machine guns was the tendency of a single barrel to overheat and warp, erode, etc. very quickly. The Gatling design, incorporating multiple barrels, allowed longer periods of sustained fire without damage to the barrels. ---
**Author:** ![Tranquilis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tranquilis/32/3639_2.png) [@Tranquilis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tranquilis)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2003, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isn-t-a-revolver-considered-a-semi-automatic-handgun/155332/32 "2003-02-17T06:02:04Z")
In the interest of completeness, I present the [Webley](http://communities.prodigy.net/sportsrec/gz-webley-fosbery.html)-[Fosbery](http://www.cruffler.com/historic-january01.html). This was a conventionally-configured semi-automatic revolver. Nifty idea, but it was a solution to a problem that had already been answered, better. ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2003, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isn-t-a-revolver-considered-a-semi-automatic-handgun/155332/33 "2003-02-17T06:14:39Z")
Not missing a chance to further muddy the waters, there is the Grendel P-10. This .380 semi-auto weapon has no visible hammer which confounds some handgun purists. Sadly, the company is out of business, but I’m told they have reformed as Kel-Tech? It’s my daily person protection carry piece, and is a great little item of engineering. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![samarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4da419/32.png) [@samarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samarm)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2003, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isn-t-a-revolver-considered-a-semi-automatic-handgun/155332/34 "2003-02-17T06:16:22Z")
You mean a revolver? The Glock has no visible hammer, but it is a slide action weapon. ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2003, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isn-t-a-revolver-considered-a-semi-automatic-handgun/155332/35 "2003-02-17T06:21:31Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by samarm \* > \*\*You mean a revolver? The Glock has no visible hammer, but it is a slide action weapon. \*\* My apologies, as I’m not intimately familiar with Glock. The Grendel is also a slide action weapon, holding 10 rounds, loaded manually or via stripper clip as it has no removable magazine. Rounds stagger into the butt of the weapon. Barrel is 3". I was taught that wheel guns are revolvers, all others are pistols. Terminology used by others is understood and respected. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2003, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isn-t-a-revolver-considered-a-semi-automatic-handgun/155332/36 "2003-02-17T06:24:49Z")
Lots of semiautos and revolvers nowadays don’t have exposed hammers - or conventional hammer design, some, such as glock, use striker devices. ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2003, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isn-t-a-revolver-considered-a-semi-automatic-handgun/155332/37 "2003-02-17T06:29:31Z")
Thanks for the update. I haven’t gone shopping in a while, my last purchase being a Taurus .44 in brushed stainless, almost 10 years ago. Hell to clean, but I like how it looks and handles. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2003, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isn-t-a-revolver-considered-a-semi-automatic-handgun/155332/38 "2003-02-17T15:20:03Z")
> [@](#): > > Hand cranked Gatling guns are not legally classified as a machine gun, they are typically title one weapons like any ordinary rifle. Powered guns like the M61 Vulcan and GE miniguns are classified as machine guns. The distinction being, I think, that with a hand-cranked Gatling gun you are technically firing one round for each pull of the trigger (it’s just that the trigger looks different from non-Gatlings); and the Vulcan has an electric trigger that will cause it to fire as long as it’s held down. > [@](#): > > Johnny L.A., the Gatling gun isn’t a destructive device like a street sweeper as long as it’s less than .50 caliber. I was talking about the Vulcan, with is 20mm. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2003, 9:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isn-t-a-revolver-considered-a-semi-automatic-handgun/155332/39 "2003-02-19T09:07:31Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by SenorBeef \* > \*\*I saw one in action last summer, probably shot off 10,000+ rounds. > > Oh man, there’s nothing to compare it to. \*\* Check out the videos at [www.metalstorm.com](http://www.metalstorm.com) One of their products boasts a rate of _one million rounds per minute_, though admittedly it’s in one huge momentary burst. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isn-t-a-revolver-considered-a-semi-automatic-handgun/155332.md?page=1)