In firearms, the cylinder is the cylindrical, rotating part of a revolver containing multiple chambers, each of which is capable of holding a single cartridge. The cylinder rotates (revolves) around a central axis in the revolver's action to sequentially align each individual chamber with the barrel bore for repeated firing. Each time the gun is cocked, the cylinder indexes by one chamber. Serving the same function as a rotary magazine, the cylinder stores ammunitions within the revolver and allows it to fire multiple times before needing to reload.
Cylinder, at right center, removed from a Remington Model 1858 revolver
A Nagant M1895 revolver, showing the fixed cylinder's loading gate open
A Webley Mk VI .455 calibre break-top service revolver
Example of a swing-out cylinder on a revolver
A revolver is a repeating handgun that has at least one barrel and uses a revolving cylinder containing multiple chambers for firing. Because most revolver models hold up to six cartridges, before needing to be reloaded, revolvers are commonly called six shooters or sixguns. Due to their rotating cylinder mechanism, they may also be called wheel guns.
Colt Single Action Army
Firing a Smith & Wesson Model 686 .357 Magnum
Detail of an 8-chambered matchlock revolver (Germany, c. 1580)
Colt Paterson 2nd belt model