What are the two categories of handgun classifications in California?

The classification of handguns in California primarily revolves around the action mechanism they utilize, which includes single-action and double-action types.

A single-action handgun requires the shooter to manually cock the hammer before firing, meaning that the trigger pull only releases the hammer, while a double-action handgun allows the shooter to either pull the trigger to fire the gun (which performs both the cocking and releasing actions) or to manually cock the hammer first if they prefer. This classification is crucial for understanding the operation of handguns and the implications for training and use.

The other options, while they do describe various types of handguns, do not represent the main categories of classification recognized in California law. Revolvers and semi-automatics describe the overall design type rather than the action mechanism responsible for how the trigger operates. Sporting and tactical refer to the intended uses of firearms, and compact and full-size deal with the dimensions and ergonomics of handguns, but they do not capture the mechanical foundation upon which handguns are categorized in the state.