What is a contemporary pistol or a revolver? Why these "things" made of metal and (recently) plastic are so popular worldwide? Maybe because they are of small size, moderate weight and able to demonstrate sufficient fire power not only for self-defense, but also for offensive and even hunting fine and middle animals (mainly, revolvers or single-shot pistols with a powerful cartridge). Certainly, each situation demands an appropriate weapon and ammunition.

Semi-automatic pistols use a part of the gas flue to remove the shell out of the barrel, to cock the hammer and supply a new cartridge. As a rule, cartridges are places in the box-shaped magazine in the handle. They can contain up to 15 cartridges (and even more) in one or two rows and allow quick reloading of the weapon.

Revolvers are called so for the revolving drum in which cartridges are placed. Usually the drum contains 5-7 cartridges, some revolvers of the .22 (5,56 mm) calibre can contain up to 10 cartridges. Cartridges can be reloaded by the two basic ways - one after another or all at once. In this case the drum is opened sideway (in most cases to the left), or the frame breaks, opening a cut of the drum. Here a special detail, called extractor, throws out shot shells. New cartridges are inserted one by one or by means of a special holder - "speedloaders".

Both revolvers and pistols have two basic types of the mechanism: those of single action and double action.

Single action means that the hammer must be cocked manually for each shot. This type of operation was the only one possible for the majority of early revolvers (like Peacekeeper), and still it is used in the majority of modern revolvers. This mode improves the accuracy of fire, but reduces the rate of fire. For pistols the single action means that for the first shot the hammer should be cocked manually. Thus the mainspring is cocked and the first cartridge is chambered. For the second and the subsequent shots the process is automatical.

Double action for revolvers means that for the first and all subsequent shots the hammer is cocked by the muscular force while pressing the hammer, thus the drum is turned. This mode increases the rate of fire and simplifies firing, but considerably increases the force necessary for shooting (from 1-2 kilogram-force for single action revolvers up to 5-6 kilogram-force and more for double action revolvers). For Pistols the hammer is cocked manually only at the first shot, other shots are automatical. However, the first cartridge should be chambered while clicking the shutter.

As for the use of polymeric materials for pistols, serial all-plastic pistols are the fantasy for a while as breech-mechanisms and other basic parts are made of steel. The polymeric construction has its advantages and disadvantages. The first and most appreciable plus is the smaller weight (the difference in weight for pistols of the similar class made of steel and polymer is 150-200 gr.). The second plus is cheapness of production and the lesser number of details. Third, high corrosion stability of modern polymers. The most typical representatives of the "plastic" class are Glock, Smith*Wesson Sigma, CZ100...