Pistols
What is a Pistol
Showing 25–32 of 32 results
Showing 25–32 of 32 results
Pistols on Gritr Sports: A Comprehensive Guide
Size isn’t everything, especially in the world of firearms. While weapons like rocket launchers naturally cause significant damage, a firearm doesn’t need to be big to be effective. Handguns are indispensable when carrying a heavy rifle over your shoulder isn’t feasible. No other firearm is better suited for concealed carry and can be easily operated with one hand. While there are two main types of handguns, this page is dedicated specifically to pistols.
What is a Pistol?
A pistol is a handgun where the chamber is an integral part of the barrel. In today’s world, the term is mainly associated with semi-automatic handguns. Obsolete single-shot pistols only appear during historical reenactments, lever-action pistols are found in classic gun collections, and automatic pistols are typically reserved for law enforcement and military personnel. This leaves semi-automatic pistols as the dominant type of pistol available to civilians.
What Does “Semi-Automatic” Mean?
A semi-automatic pistol automatically chambers the next round after each shot, but you must pull the trigger for each subsequent shot—one pull, one shot. In contrast, automatic pistols will continue firing as long as the trigger is held down. Since true automatic pistols are rare on the civilian market, the term “automatic” is often mistakenly used to refer to semi-automatic pistols. However, as knowledgeable gun enthusiasts, we should stick to the correct terminology, right?
Types of Pistols
Hammer-Fired vs. Striker-Fired
Hammer-fired pistols are the older of the two and have remained largely unchanged because they are reliable and effective. The hammer, visible at the rear of the slide, strikes the firing pin when the trigger is pulled, which in turn ignites the primer and fires the round.
Striker-fired pistols don’t have a hammer. Instead, the firing pin is released directly when the trigger is pulled, simplifying the mechanism and making the trigger pull lighter. This makes striker-fired pistols easier to operate and lighter in weight.
Single-Action vs. Double-Action
These terms apply primarily to hammer-fired pistols.
- Single-action (SA) pistols require the hammer to be manually cocked before firing. After the first shot, the recoil cocks the hammer for subsequent shots. The trigger’s sole function is to release the hammer.
- Double-action (DA) pistols allow the trigger to perform two actions: cocking and releasing the hammer. This makes the trigger pull heavier but eliminates the need to manually cock the hammer before firing.
- Double-Action/Single-Action (DA/SA) pistols combine both mechanisms. The first shot is fired in double-action mode, and the slide’s recoil cocks the hammer for subsequent single-action shots, providing a smoother trigger pull after the first round.
- Double-action-only (DAO) pistols are less common and require the trigger to cock and release the hammer for every shot.
Rimfire vs. Centerfire
This distinction is based on the type of cartridge the pistol uses:
- Rimfire cartridges are ignited when the firing pin strikes the rim of the cartridge base. These cartridges are limited to smaller calibers like .22 Long Rifle and are typically used for training or recreational shooting due to their lower power.
- Centerfire cartridges feature a primer in the center of the base, which the firing pin strikes to ignite the powder. These are used in most larger-caliber pistols for self-defense, law enforcement, and military applications.
Common Calibers
- .22 Long Rifle: A rimfire caliber, ideal for beginners due to its low recoil and inexpensive ammunition.
- 9mm: The most popular centerfire caliber, used by U.S. military and NATO forces. It offers a balance of power, capacity, and manageable recoil.
- .45 ACP: Known for its stopping power but has heavier recoil. Favored by those looking for more firepower in each shot.
- .40 S&W: Strikes a balance between the power of a .45 ACP and the capacity of a 9mm, offering stronger recoil and energy.
- .380 ACP: Considered the lower limit for self-defense, offering mild recoil but reduced stopping power compared to larger calibers.
Pistols Available on Gritr Sports
At Gritr Sports, we carry a wide variety of pistols from well-known brands like Glock, Sig Sauer, CZ, and Smith & Wesson. Whether you’re looking for a concealed carry handgun, a range pistol, or something more specialized, our extensive selection of pistols ensures you’ll find what you need.
- Glock pistols are known for their reliability and simplicity, making them a top choice for law enforcement and civilian use alike.
- Sig Sauer pistols offer a blend of precision engineering and combat readiness.
- CZ pistols are renowned for their accuracy and ergonomic design.
- Smith & Wesson pistols provide a long history of craftsmanship and innovation.
Conclusion
The world of pistols is vast, with countless combinations of action types, calibers, and brands to choose from. Whether you’re looking for a reliable self-defense handgun or something more powerful for the range, Gritr Sports has hundreds of pistols for sale. From the legendary Glock to the precision of Sig Sauer, you’re sure to find the perfect firearm to suit your needs.