Guide for 16 Key Parts of a Revolver: Names Functions & Diagram

A revolver is a repeating handgun that has at least one barrel and uses a revolving cylinder containing multiple chambers for firing cartridges. Each chamber contains a single cartridge because most revolvers hold up to six rounds of the cartridge before needing to reload. Revolvers are also commonly called six-shooters. Out of all firearms, revolver use is typical in the police force. All parts of a revolver are precisely manufactured to make it more efficient. Only certain government-approved companies in the USA are allowed to manufacture and assemble revolver parts. In this article, we will delve into the anatomy of a revolver, exploring its various components, names, and functions. This guide is perfect for gun enthusiasts and anyone interested in understanding the mechanics of a revolver.

Revolver Parts Diagram

Revolver Parts Names

Barrel
Cylinder
Frame
Muzzle
Sights
Hammer
Trigger
Trigger Guard
Grip
Cylinder release
Top strap

Parts of Revolver Cylinder

Crane/yoke
Chambers
Extractor Star
Ejector Rod
Loading Gate

Parts of a Revolver

This video tells us all the parts of a revolver, their names & functions.

Barrel

A barrel is a straight metal cylinder of high-strength materials. Its length and diameter/caliber (internal and external) depend on the revolver type and manufacturer.

Barrel material should withstand the high pressure and temperature generated due to the gunpowder explosion.

Cylinder

The cylinder is the cylindrical rotating part of a revolver, containing multiple chambers, each capable of holding a single cartridge. The cylinder rotates around a central axis in the revolver’s action to sequentially align individual chambers with the barrel bore for repeated firing.

Generally, six chambers are present in the cylinder. Each time the gun is cocked, the cylinder indexes by one chamber.

Frame

The frame is the basic revolver metallic construction that holds the other parts of the revolver. Generally, the material of the frame is steel, aluminum alloys, or polymer.

Muzzle

The muzzle is the end of the barrel from which the bullet exits. Maintaining its accuracy is more important as its accuracy decides the final path of the bullet.

If the accuracy is inaccurate, propellant gases may spread unevenly, and the bullet may deflect from the pathway. The end of the muzzle has a thread to attach any accessories.

Sights

Sights are the alignment markers for the accurate aiming of the weapons. There are two sights present in the rifle. The rear sight is near the shooter’s eye, whereas the front is near the muzzle. The shooter can see the aim from the rear and front sights and aim to shoot.

Hammer

The hammer is part of a revolver, and the percussion cap/primer or a separate firing pin strikes the projectile to ignite the explosive and fire the bullet. Shooters have to manually hammer before firing. It is a metal piece that forcefully rotates about a pivot point.

Trigger

The trigger is the actuating mechanism that allows the hammer to strike the projectile. It is a small curved metallic part where we put a finger to operate.

Trigger Guard

It is a protective edge that surrounds the trigger of a gun to prevent unwanted contact and avoid accidental discharge. Trigger guards are present in every gun.

Grip

The grip was present behind the trigger, and the shooter put his hand on the grip to trigger the revolver. It has a rubber coating and knurling to get stability during shooting.

Cylinder Release

The cylinder release is a small lever present on the left side of the double-action revolver and the right side of the single-acting revolver. Its function is to unlock the cylinder to swing out from the frame to load and unload the bullets.

Top strap

The top strap is the part of the frame that goes over the top of the frame.

Revolvers Cylinder Parts

Crane/yoke

The yoke mounts on the frame, and the cylinder rotatably mounts on the yoke.

Chambers

The chamber is the cylindrical cavity in the cylinder where the cartridge gets inserted. There is a minimum of 6 chambers generally present in the cylinder. It varies as per the manufacturer.

Extractor Star

It is a star-shaped mechanism that pushes cartridges out of the revolver cylinder.

Ejector Rod

The ejector rod helps the shooter to eject the cartridge casing after the fire. In a single-acting revolver, one cartridge ejects at one time. In contrast, in a double-acting revolver, all cartridges eject from a cylinder.