Revolver

So called because the rounds of ammunition (normally 6) are held in a central cylinder which rotates each time the trigger is pulled. bringing a fresh cartridge into line with the barrel of the weapon which is then discharged when the rear external hammer falls as the trigger is pulled fully to the rear. The cylinder may be reloaded with rounds by either swinging it out to the side, or on older types by breaking the action, using a release catch. Revolvers are very reliable however they are now virtually obsolete for professional use due to the limited ammunition capacity, slow rate of fire, and the availability of high capacity reliable self loading pistols. CTP hold several revolvers largely for demonstration purposes of the method of operation. Now restricted in the UK as a section 5 firearm unless in long barrel format with a wrist brace attachment.

Classically characterised as having a detachable magazine in which rounds are stacked on top of each other. The pistol is normally loaded by inserting the magazine into the handgrip of the pistol, and then made ready to fire by pulling the top slide containing the barrel and firing pin assembly firmly to the rear and releasing it to go forward under the action of an internal recoil spring. As the slide goes forward it strips a round off the top of the magazine and feeds this into the barrel chamber. When the trigger is pulled the round is discharged, and the recoil causes the slide to again move to the rear ejecting the empty case then move forward again stripping a fresh round from the top of the magazine, chambering it in the barrel ready for the cycle to start again. The operation is therefore considered semi automatic or self loading, as it repeats once for every pull of the trigger until all ammunition is expended. SLP's have now become the predominant handgun for the police and military worldwide due to the rate of fire, high magazine capacity and reliability of modern types such as the Glock 17. (Classed as Section 5 restricted firearms in the UK)

Available in a shorter barrel carbine or standard long barrel rifle format, chambered in the same calibres as SLP's as well as bottle necked high power rifle calibres. The sequence of operation is essentially the same as for the SLP with the firearm being made ready by use of a cocking lever or handle and the recoil impulse being used to chamber the next round from the magazine. the detachable magazine is generally located forward of the trigger, although compact bullpup designs ( Magazines behind the pistol grip ) do exist. All types are accurate to longer ranges than revolvers or SLP's. as well as having a larger magazine capacity than most SLP's. (classed as section 5 restricted firearms in the UK ). Note some manufacturers produce manual variants of this type of firearm in which the self loading mechanism is not present for the UK market and are classed as section 1 firearms, which may be legally held by UK residents

Bolt Action Rifle

Available as single shot variants without a magazine or with a magazine (internal or detachable). To load the rifle a round is placed on the feed ramp of the single shot variant , or alternatively the magazine is loaded and then inserted if necessary into the receiver. To make ready, the operator then manually pushes the bolt forward pushing a round into the chamber of the rifle and locks the bolt closed by pushing the bolt handle down normally. To fire the trigger is pulled. the Rifle must then be manually unloaded by opening the bolt with the handle and pulling it to the rear this ejects the empty case. To fire the next round the entire sequence must be repeated. operation of the rifle is therefore entirely manual. Typically Bolt Action Rifles are more accurate than Self Loading types firing the same cartridge, as such they are favoured for long distance competition shooting, as well as by the police & military when highly accurate shots at distance are required and rate of fire is not as relevant. Bolt action rifles are normally classed as section 1 firearms in the UK and may be legally held by members of the shooting public after obtaining the relevant Firearms licence on application to your local police force.