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Types of Handguns Breech-loading - firearms that are loaded from behind the barrel. Muzzle-loading - firearms that are loaded from the front of the barrel. Pistols – generally refer to a firearm that has just one chamber that lines up with the barrel. Revolvers - typically a firearm that has multiple chambers in a wheel-shape that rotate to line up with the barrel. Derringer - a firearm that most commonly holds a single round and is very small and easy to conceal.