Simply put: Handguns are all firearms that do not fall under the category of long guns. The distinction is precisely regulated by the firearms law: Simply put, long guns are firearms whose barrel and breech are at least 30 cm long in the closed position, and which are at least 60 cm long overall. For example, for pistol models from the Austrian manufacturer GLOCK, there are so-called "stock extensions": The pistol is clamped into a kind of stock extension and can thus be aimed like a long gun. Nevertheless, the length of the barrel and breech is still shorter than 30 cm - and the shortest usable overall length remains at the original length in this system - the pistol thus remains a handgun even when it is "extended".
Handguns are generally either revolvers revolvers and pistols. Revolvers are multi-shot firearms, where a rotating cylinder is mounted behind the barrel. The cartridge chambers are located in this cylinder. The crucial distinction from pistols is that the cartridge chambers and barrel are separate in a revolver; the cylinder serves as both magazine and cartridge chamber. Pistols, on the other hand, are handguns where the cartridge chamber and barrel are not separate components. A pistol often, but not necessarily, has a magazine. However, there are also single-shot pistols. The most common are semi-automatic models (also known as "self-loading pistols"), where the weapon is immediately ready to fire again after a shot.
The types of handguns commonly used in hunting and in shooting sports are primarily revolvers and pistols. In shooting sports, air pistols are also used more frequently.
After firing a cartridge, the recoil pushes the breech, which is also called the "slide" or "bolt piece" in pistols, backward towards the shooter. The extractor (also known as the "extraction claw") attached to the breech pulls the fired cartridge case from the chamber, which is ejected from the weapon through a predetermined groove. On the way back, the kinetic energy of the breech is used to re-cock the handgun. Additionally, the breech compresses a spring during its backward movement, which pushes it forward again after sliding back. With its lower edge, the breech carries a new cartridge forward into the chamber while sliding over the magazine. At the end of the movement, the weapon is immediately ready to fire again.
As with all firearms, it is very important that the breech of the weapon is closed when firing the cartridge. With relatively small calibers, the mass, i.e., the weight of the breech is sufficient to seal the handgun against gas pressure. Stronger calibers, usually from about 9 mm short, generate such high gas pressure upon firing that the weight of a functional breech would no longer be sufficient to seal the weapon during firing. Therefore, the breech must be locked in larger calibers. Most of the widely used pistol models, such as the Glock 17, the Beretta 92, or the large-caliber Desert Eagle, therefore have a locked breech. Models with smaller calibers, such as the Walther PPK, on the other hand, have an unlocked mass breech.
Handguns are characterized by their compactness and maneuverability compared to long guns; however, they are inferior to long guns in terms of precision - while skilled marksmen can hit targets at distances of several hundred meters up to a kilometer with powerful rifles and optics in long-range shooting, the effective range of most pistols and revolvers is about 50 m - depending on the weapon. Therefore, competitive shooting usually takes place at distances of 25 m and 50 m.
In hunting, handguns, both revolvers and pistols, are used for the finishing shot. For the finishing shot on wounded game in the wound bed, a strong, large caliber is recommended to end the suffering of the animal as quickly as possible. For trap hunting, a small caliber is advantageous because the game is smaller and the hide should suffer as little damage as possible from the shot.
The number of handguns one can own depends on whether one is a sports shooter or a hunter. As a hunter, one may acquire two handguns, with a pre-entry in the green firearms ownership card required before acquisition. Sports shooters need a green or yellow firearms ownership card depending on the type of handgun they wish to acquire. The so-called regular need for sports shooters is two multi-shot handguns. There is no distinction made between revolvers and pistols.
Handguns can be purchased from both stationary firearms dealers and online. You can find the best deals on Gunfinder!
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