| Noun | 1. | handgun - a firearm that is held and fired with one handautomatic pistol, automatic - 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 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 gunstock, stock - the handle of a handgun or the butt end of a rifle or shotgun or part of the support of a machine gun or artillery gun; "the rifle had been fitted with a special stock" Verey pistol, Very pistol - a pistol for firing Very-light flares zip gun - a crude homemade pistol |