Cylinder (firearms) facts for kids

Close-up of the cylinder of a revolver. Each hole is one chamber.

A cylinder, in firearms terminology, is the cylindrical, rotating part of a revolver. The cylinder has multiple cartridges chambers. The cylinder revolves around a central shaft in the revolver. This is to bring each individual chamber into alignment with the barrel for firing. Each time the gun is cocked (made ready to fire), the cylinder rotates by one chamber making the pistol ready to fire again.

Cylinders typically hold six cartridges—which is why revolvers are sometimes called "six shooters". But some small frame revolvers only hold five cartridges, due to the smaller overall size of the gun. Several models of .22 rimfire caliber revolvers have cylinders holding nine or ten rounds. As a general rule, cylinders are not designed to be removed from the firearm except for cleaning. A speedloader or moon clip can be used with some revolvers for rapid reloading.

Images for kids

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  Cylinder, at right center, removed from a Remington Model 1858 revolver

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  A Nagant M1895 revolver, showing the fixed cylinder's loading gate open

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  A Webley Mk VI .455 calibre break-top service revolver

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  Example of a swing-out cylinder on a revolver

See also

In Spanish: Tambor (armas de fuego) para niños