What is the primary difference between a revolver and a semi-automatic handgun?

The primary distinction between a revolver and a semi-automatic handgun is that a revolver features a rotating cylinder. This cylinder holds multiple rounds of ammunition and rotates to align with the barrel each time the trigger is pulled, allowing the firearm to fire a shot for each chamber in the cylinder without needing to manually reload between shots.

In contrast, semi-automatic handguns are designed with a single magazine that feeds rounds into the chamber one at a time as the slide cycles after each shot is fired. This mechanism allows the shooter to fire multiple rounds without needing to manually reload after each shot, but it does not involve a rotating cylinder like a revolver. Understanding the revolving mechanism of the cylinder in revolvers is critical for recognizing how they operate compared to the action of semi-automatics.