Revolver

Revolver is a type of handgun in which rounds are loaded into a rotating cylinder that can hold multiple cartridges. The cylinder rotates so that each chamber aligns with the barrel as the gun is fired, allowing several shots before the cylinder must be reloaded. Most modern revolvers fire centerfire cartridges and use a single-action or double-action mechanism to cock the hammer and rotate the cylinder.

The revolver design emerged during the 19th century and was popularized in mass production by Samuel Colt after 1836. Its ability to deliver several shots without reloading, combined with mechanical simplicity and reliability, helped it become widely adopted by military, law enforcement, and civilian users. Variants range in common chamber counts from five to nine, with calibers including popular revolver rounds such as .38 Special, .357 Magnum, and .44 Magnum. The cylinder can be loaded through a top break, a side-loading gate, or a swing-out mechanism, depending on model, and firing can be accomplished in single-action or double-action modes.

In contemporary use, revolvers are valued for reliability, simplicity, and ease of maintenance, though they typically offer lower ammunition capacity and slower reloads compared with semiautomatic pistols. The choice between revolvers and other handgun designs depends on intended use, ammunition, and user preference.

Revolver also refers to other cultural items, notably the Beatles' 1966 album Revolver, and the 2005 film Revolver by Guy Ritchie.