Automatic pistol

An automatic pistol is a firearm designed to be fired by an individual holding it in just one hand -- the opposite of a full-sized rifle, or carbine.

Automatic pistols are designed to fire multiple bullets, from a replaceable magazine. These magazines are loaded with bullets, in advance. The user can press a button to release an empty magazine, and then rapidly plug in a full magazine.

Revolvers, are another style of pistol designed to fire multiple bullets, but, instead of using a replaceable magazine, they fire from a revolving cylinder. Once the bullets in the revolving cylinder are exhausted, the user has to remove the empty cartridges, and manually load in fresh bullets.

Disadvantages automatic pistols have over revolvers is that they eject the empty cartridges. The user can slip on the empty cartridges. In addition the empty cartridges can be matched to firing pin of the weapon, leaving a forensic trail.