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handgun

handguns

Definitions of handgun
  1. noun
    a firearm that is held and fired with one hand
    synonyms: pistol, shooting iron, side arm
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    types:
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    automatic, automatic pistol
    a pistol that will keep firing until the ammunition is gone or the trigger is released
    derringer
    a pocket pistol of large caliber with a short barrel
    forty-five
    a .45-caliber pistol
    gat, rod
    a gangster's pistol
    horse pistol, horse-pistol
    a large pistol (usually in a holster) formerly carried by horsemen
    peacekeeper
    the pistol of a law officer in the old West
    revolver, six-gun, six-shooter
    a pistol with a revolving cylinder (usually having six chambers for bullets)
    Saturday night special
    a cheap handgun that is easily obtained
    semiautomatic, semiautomatic pistol
    a pistol that is a semiautomatic firearm capable of loading and firing continuously
    Verey pistol, Very pistol
    a pistol for firing Very-light flares
    zip gun
    a crude homemade pistol
    Colt
    a kind of revolver
    Luger
    a German semiautomatic pistol
    type of:
    firearm, piece, small-arm
    a portable gun
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘handgun'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
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