Semi-Auto Pistols for Sale

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What is a Semi-Automatic Pistol and How Does It Work?

A semi-automatic pistol is a type of handgun that fires one round and cycles a new round every time the trigger is pulled. Ammo is held in a magazine that is usually either in the grip or in front of the trigger guard. Once fired, the action moves rearward to extract and eject the empty casing. It then moves forward again, pushing a fresh cartridge into the chamber from the magazine. This repeats every time the trigger is pulled until the pistol runs out of ammunition. To reload, the magazine release button is pressed, disconnecting the magazine from the pistol so that it can be removed and a new magazine can be inserted. Once a new cartridge is chambered, the pistol is ready to fire again.

The semi-auto pistol has been around since 1891 with the patenting of the Salvator-Dormus pistol. Popularity quickly took off with the Colt 1911, which became the standard sidearm of the U.S. military from 1911 (hence the name) until 1985, when it was replaced by the Beretta M9. Nowadays, semi-automatic pistols are the most popular type of gun in the United States and are the most commonly owned firearm. They are popular for concealed carry, home defense, and target shooting.

Are Semi-Automatic Pistols Good for Concealed Carry?

Semi-automatic pistols are far more commonly used for concealed carry than other types of handguns, like revolvers or derringer pistols. This is due to a few factors that make a semi-auto perfect for concealed carry.

First is capacity: even a small-frame semi-auto can easily carry 10 rounds of ammunition, far more than the common 5-6 rounds of the revolver. Derringers, although more concealable than other handguns, only hold 1 to 4 rounds (usually, 2 rounds).

Second is ease of reloading: with a simple swap of a magazine and chambering a round, a semi-auto is ready to fire again. A revolver has to have the cylinder swung out, the empty casings ejected, then reloaded, then the cylinder is closed again before it’s ready to fire. That’s a lot to deal with under stress, and takes a lot more time to perform even under ideal conditions.

Third is the profile: a semi-automatic pistol is slimmer than a revolver. The revolver’s cylinder bulges out on either side, making it harder to conceal. A semi-auto doesn’t have this problem, and is less likely to “print” and give away the fact that you’re carrying. The slim profile also makes a semi-auto more comfortable to carry, which is important because you’re less likely to carry if you’re uncomfortable doing so.

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