Revolvers are defined as having

• A. A detachable magazine
• B. Having multiple chambers configured around an axis
• C. An internal hammerless mechanism
• D. A single chamber

Answer: (B)

The defining feature of a revolver is a rotating cylinder that contains multiple chambers arranged around a central axis. Each chamber holds a cartridge, and as the trigger is pulled, the cylinder rotates to bring a fresh chamber in line with the barrel and firing mechanism, allowing several shots before reloading. This rotating cylinder, with several chambers around the axis, is what distinguishes a revolver from firearms that feed ammunition from a detachable magazine or from single-shot designs. A detachable magazine describes many semiautomatic pistols, not revolvers. An internal hammerless mechanism is not a defining trait—many revolvers have hammers, though some may appear hammerless. A single chamber would indicate a single-shot firearm, not a revolver.