Nomenclature Question Revolver Cylinder called a Barrel?

DaleA · December 11, 2015, 06:12 PM

There's a discussion in the General Handgun forum about terms we use and someone posted this:

Quote:

Like when folks call their revolver cylinder a barrel. Well, it is round, ain't it? Don't know what they call their barrel. Something equally as original, no doubt. A rose by any other name........

The thing is, I've run across two best selling authors that do this. That is, refer to the cylinder of a revolver as the barrel.

So is this a real 'thing'?

I don't want to mention the writers' names because one I really like (she is a guilty pleasure) and the other woman's book (a best seller) was so, so bad I had to finish it with my teeth gritted just so when I criticized it I could say I read it all the way to the end.

MrBorland · December 11, 2015, 06:52 PM

Well, it's "real" in the same way some people who ought to know better really speak of "high capacity clips holding 15 bullets".

Driftwood Johnson · December 11, 2015, 08:19 PM

Since when do 'best selling authors' know anything about firearms?

The round thing you put the cartridges in is the cylinder. Has always been. The round thing in front that the bullets come out of is the barrel.

And don't make the mistake some make of calling the holes in the cylinder, cylinders. In an automobile engine, the holes in the engine are cylinders. In a firearm they are chambers. Or if it is a Smith and Wesson they are charge holes.

James K · December 12, 2015, 12:39 AM

Further proof that those who want to write about guns and know nothing about them should stick to generalities. But no, the authors, mainly British, have to throw around terms they saw somewhere in order to pretend to some expertise they don't have, and the result is nonsense that serves only to ruin the story and expose the author's ignorance.

Example:

The detective pulled his Smith and Western Cobra 37 caliber revolver from its scabbard, pulled back the clicker thingy and looked in the nozzle to see if the drum cylinders were loaded with ten bullets. Then he eased off the safety button and waited in the shadows for the crime boss.

Better:

The detective drew his gun and stepped back into the shadows to wait for the crime boss.

But there are those who persist in making fools of themselves.

Jim

g.willikers · December 12, 2015, 10:33 AM

Yeah, one of my former favorite authors is guilty of this.
Not only with guns, but with cars.
Not a clue.
I tried to ignore it, seeing how he's a New York City guy and all.
Probably not much exposure to guns and cars there.
But it just got way too dumb, so I had to give up on him.
I often wonder if he misses me.

jackmoser65 · December 12, 2015, 04:00 PM

Quote:

The detective pulled his Smith and Western Cobra 37 caliber revolver from its scabbard, pulled back the clicker thingy and looked in the nozzle to see if the drum cylinders were loaded with ten bullets. Then he eased off the safety button and waited in the shadows for the crime boss.

It's so bad, it's almost like a knowledgeable shooter wrote that with the intent of making it as wrong as possible.

turkeestalker · December 12, 2015, 06:23 PM

Quote:

It's so bad, it's almost like a knowledgeable shooter wrote that with the intent of making it as wrong as possible.

hmmmmmmmm..... There's some sense in that!

SmokinTom · December 12, 2015, 06:50 PM

I always thought the round thing we put the cartridge in was called the chamber and the thing that had all the chambers was the cylinder.

Learn something new every day.

Jim Watson · December 12, 2015, 08:50 PM

It's round and holds bullets, therefore a "drum."

And if you can't remember that a Smith & Wesson has a "yoke" and a Colt a "crane", why, just call that part a "swing arm."

lefteye · December 12, 2015, 09:21 PM

From the perspective of the person holding the revolver and "pointing" it forward, ain't the big round thing called the cylinder, the big holes in it called the chambers, and the rifled pipe in front called the barrel? Course, I ain't never had no job writing stuff fer da public.

James K · December 12, 2015, 10:46 PM

Yes, the first "example" was written by a fairly knowledgeable gun person (me), but it is a compilation of actual terms and phrases from the writings of real authors. "Smith & Western" is pretty common, seen in several books, and "nozzle" (instead of "muzzle") is also common. Another common error is the use of an inappropriate decimal point, as in "a .9mm Glock." That bullet would be about the diameter of a ball pin ball, which would be carrying "small bore" to a bit of an extreme.

Jim

jackmoser65 · December 13, 2015, 05:55 PM

Off topic but it grates on my nerves when people refer to chambers as "cylinders". See it on gun forums all the time.

December 12, 2015, 09:21 PM	#10
lefteye Senior Member Join Date: January 30, 2006 Posts: 1,433	From the perspective of the person holding the revolver and "pointing" it forward, ain't the big round thing called the cylinder, the big holes in it called the chambers, and the rifled pipe in front called the barrel? Course, I ain't never had no job writing stuff fer da public. __________________ Vietnam Veteran ('69-'70) NRA Life Member RMEF Life Member

December 11, 2015, 06:52 PM	#2
MrBorland Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2007 Location: NC Posts: 2,614	Well, it's "real" in the same way some people who ought to know better really speak of "high capacity clips holding 15 bullets".

December 11, 2015, 08:19 PM	#3
Driftwood Johnson Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2014 Location: Land of the Pilgrims Posts: 2,053	Since when do 'best selling authors' know anything about firearms? The round thing you put the cartridges in is the cylinder. Has always been. The round thing in front that the bullets come out of is the barrel. And don't make the mistake some make of calling the holes in the cylinder, cylinders. In an automobile engine, the holes in the engine are cylinders. In a firearm they are chambers. Or if it is a Smith and Wesson they are charge holes.

December 12, 2015, 12:39 AM	#4
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Further proof that those who want to write about guns and know nothing about them should stick to generalities. But no, the authors, mainly British, have to throw around terms they saw somewhere in order to pretend to some expertise they don't have, and the result is nonsense that serves only to ruin the story and expose the author's ignorance. Example: The detective pulled his Smith and Western Cobra 37 caliber revolver from its scabbard, pulled back the clicker thingy and looked in the nozzle to see if the drum cylinders were loaded with ten bullets. Then he eased off the safety button and waited in the shadows for the crime boss. Better: The detective drew his gun and stepped back into the shadows to wait for the crime boss. But there are those who persist in making fools of themselves. Jim

December 12, 2015, 10:33 AM	#5
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	Yeah, one of my former favorite authors is guilty of this. Not only with guns, but with cars. Not a clue. I tried to ignore it, seeing how he's a New York City guy and all. Probably not much exposure to guns and cars there. But it just got way too dumb, so I had to give up on him. I often wonder if he misses me.

December 12, 2015, 06:50 PM	#8
SmokinTom Senior Member Join Date: November 29, 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 479	I always thought the round thing we put the cartridge in was called the chamber and the thing that had all the chambers was the cylinder. Learn something new every day.

December 12, 2015, 08:50 PM	#9
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 19,202	It's round and holds bullets, therefore a "drum." And if you can't remember that a Smith & Wesson has a "yoke" and a Colt a "crane", why, just call that part a "swing arm."

December 12, 2015, 10:46 PM	#11
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Yes, the first "example" was written by a fairly knowledgeable gun person (me), but it is a compilation of actual terms and phrases from the writings of real authors. "Smith & Western" is pretty common, seen in several books, and "nozzle" (instead of "muzzle") is also common. Another common error is the use of an inappropriate decimal point, as in "a .9mm Glock." That bullet would be about the diameter of a ball pin ball, which would be carrying "small bore" to a bit of an extreme. Jim

December 13, 2015, 05:55 PM	#12
jackmoser65 Senior Member Join Date: October 11, 2014 Posts: 755	Off topic but it grates on my nerves when people refer to chambers as "cylinders". See it on gun forums all the time.