Different Types of Guns with their Pictures

Guns are tools designed to fire bullets using a forceful release of energy, often from burning powder. Each type has a specific design, shooting action, and purpose, ranging from self-defense to sport or law enforcement. Some guns are built for close range, others for long distance, and some for rapid firing or high accuracy. This post helps you learn the different types of guns with their pictures. It explains gun names used in hunting, defense, policing, and firearm education.

Common Types of Handguns

Handguns are compact firearms designed for one-handed use. They’re widely used in law enforcement, self-defense, sport shooting, and military service. Here’s a breakdown of the most common handgun types based on their build, function, and usage.

Revolvers

Feature a rotating cylinder that holds multiple rounds, usually 5 to 7. Known for simplicity and reliability.

• Colt Python
• Smith & Wesson Model 686
• Ruger LCR

Semi-Automatic Pistols

Use recoil or gas to automatically cycle the next round. They have removable magazines and faster reload times.

• Glock 19
• Sig Sauer P320
• Beretta 92FS

Compact Pistols

Smaller versions of standard handguns, easier to conceal and carry.

• Glock 43
• Smith & Wesson M&P Shield
• Springfield Hellcat

Subcompact Pistols

Even smaller than compact models, made for deep concealment or backup use.

• Ruger LCP Max
• Sig Sauer P365
• Kimber Micro 9

Single-Shot Pistols

Fire only one round at a time; mostly used for hunting or target shooting.

• Thompson Center Contender
• Bond Arms Derringer
• Traditions Crackshot

Derringers

Ultra-small, pocket-sized pistols that usually hold one or two rounds.

• Remington Model 95
• Bond Arms Backup
• Cobra Big Bore

Machine Pistols

Capable of fully automatic fire, often compact and used in military or special forces roles.

• Glock 18
• Beretta 93R
• Stechkin APS

Shotgun Types and Their Uses

Shotguns are versatile firearms that fire shells containing multiple pellets or slugs. They’re commonly used in hunting, sport shooting, home defense, and law enforcement. Below are the main types of shotguns with practical use cases.

Pump-Action Shotguns

Manually cycled by sliding the fore-end. Reliable, affordable, and widely used for defense and hunting.
Uses: Home defense, deer hunting, tactical applications

• Remington 870
• Mossberg 500
• Winchester SXP

Break-Action Shotguns

Feature a hinged barrel design that opens to load shells. Often seen in double-barrel forms.
Uses: Skeet shooting, clay sports, bird hunting

• Browning Citori
• Stoeger Coach Gun
• Beretta Silver Pigeon

Semi-Automatic Shotguns

Automatically chambers the next shell using gas or recoil. Allows faster follow-up shots.
Uses: Duck hunting, 3-gun competition, tactical response

• Benelli M4
• Beretta A400
• Mossberg 940 Pro

Single-Shot Shotguns

Fires one shell at a time. Lightweight and easy to operate.
Uses: Beginner shooting, small game hunting

• H&R Pardner
• Rossi Single Shot
• Savage 301

Bolt-Action Shotguns

Manually operated with a bolt handle. Rare but precise.
Uses: Specialty slug hunting, states with firearm restrictions

• Mossberg 695
• Marlin Model 512
• Savage 210

Lever-Action Shotguns

Use a lever to cycle shells. Less common, but favored for style and cowboy action shooting.
Uses: Cowboy action shooting, small game hunting

• Winchester Model 1887
• Chiappa 1887
• Henry Lever Action .410

Tactical Shotguns

Built for defense or law enforcement, often outfitted with rails, extended tubes, or pistol grips.
Uses: Home defense, police and military operations

• Benelli M4 Tactical
• Remington 870 Tactical
• Kel-Tec KSG

Overview of Machine Guns

Machine guns are fully automatic firearms capable of sustained fire while the trigger is held. Unlike semi-automatic guns, they continue firing as long as ammunition and power are available. They are primarily used by military and security forces due to their high rate of fire and area suppression capability.

Light Machine Guns (LMGs)

Portable and often used by individual soldiers to provide suppressive fire. Usually belt-fed or magazine-fed.
Common uses: Squad support, mobile firepower, battlefield suppression

• M249 SAW
• FN Minimi
• RPK

Medium Machine Guns (MMGs)

Heavier than LMGs, typically mounted or tripod-supported. Fires full-power rifle cartridges.
Common uses: Defensive positions, vehicle mounts, long-range sustained fire

• M240B
• PKM
• MG3

Heavy Machine Guns (HMGs)

Designed for maximum damage, usually firing large-caliber rounds (.50 BMG or similar). Always mounted.
Common uses: Anti-vehicle roles, aircraft defense, fortification suppression

• Browning M2
• DShK
• NSV

General-Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs)

Versatile guns that can serve as both LMGs and MMGs based on configuration.
Common uses: Infantry support, vehicle-mounted fire, bipod or tripod use

• MG42
• FN MAG
• PKP Pecheneg

Submachine Guns vs. Machine Guns

Although similar in automatic fire, submachine guns fire pistol-caliber rounds and are not classified as true machine guns due to lower power and limited range.

Submachine Guns and PDWs Explained

Submachine guns and personal defense weapons (PDWs) are compact automatic firearms that fire pistol-caliber or low-recoil rounds. They’re designed for close-quarters combat, making them popular among military, law enforcement, and security units.

Submachine Guns (SMGs)

Submachine guns are fully automatic firearms that shoot pistol-caliber ammunition. They’re lightweight, easy to control, and ideal for short-range use.
Common roles: Urban combat, VIP protection, special operations

• Heckler & Koch MP5
• Uzi
• CZ Scorpion EVO 3
• MAC-10
• MP40

Personal Defense Weapons (PDWs)

PDWs are similar to SMGs but usually fire high-velocity, low-recoil rounds designed to penetrate body armor. They bridge the gap between pistols and rifles.
Common roles: Vehicle crews, support troops, special units

• FN P90
• Heckler & Koch MP7
• SIG Sauer MPX
• B&T MP9
• LWRC SMG-45

Key Differences

• Caliber: SMGs use standard pistol rounds; PDWs often use specialized ammunition
• Armor Penetration: PDWs can pierce light body armor; SMGs usually cannot
• Design Purpose: SMGs are older tech; PDWs are modern solutions for compact firepower with more reach

Sniper Rifles and Long-Range Firearms

Sniper rifles and other long-range firearms are built for extreme accuracy over long distances. They’re used for precision targeting in military, law enforcement, and sport shooting roles. These guns often feature specialized optics, heavy barrels, and powerful cartridges.

Bolt-Action Sniper Rifles

Highly accurate and reliable, these require manual cycling between shots. Often preferred for extreme precision.
Used in: Military marksman roles, competition shooting

• Remington 700
• Accuracy International AXMC
• Tikka T3x TAC A1
• Mosin-Nagant
• Ruger Precision Rifle

Semi-Automatic Sniper Rifles

Allow faster follow-up shots without sacrificing much precision. Heavier and more complex than bolt-action types.
Used in: Tactical missions, police sniping, DMR roles

• M110 SASS
• Dragunov SVD
• FN SCAR 20S
• AR-10
• Heckler & Koch PSG1

Anti-Materiel Rifles

These fire very large-caliber rounds designed to disable equipment or vehicles, not just personnel.
Used in: Long-range hard target engagement, military ops

• Barrett M82
• McMillan TAC-50
• Denel NTW-20
• Accuracy International AS50

Designated Marksman Rifles (DMRs)

Bridge the gap between assault rifles and sniper rifles. Semi-auto, with enhanced optics and accuracy.
Used in: Infantry squads for extended reach

• M14 EBR
• HK417
• SR-25
• FN FAL DMR variant

Historic and Antique Guns

Historic and antique guns represent early firearm technology and craftsmanship. These weapons are no longer used in modern combat but are prized by collectors, historians, and museums for their design, historical value, and influence on modern firearms.

Flintlock Firearms

Used a flint striking mechanism to ignite powder. Common from the 1600s to early 1800s.
Famous models:

• Brown Bess Musket
• Charleville Musket
• Kentucky Flintlock Rifle

Percussion Cap Firearms

Replaced flint with a percussion cap system for more reliable ignition. Dominated the mid-1800s.
Famous models:

• Colt 1851 Navy Revolver
• Springfield Model 1861
• Enfield P1853 Rifle

Matchlock Firearms

Among the earliest guns, used a lit match to ignite powder. Slow and weather-sensitive.
Famous models:

• Japanese Tanegashima
• European Arquebus
• Indian Toradar

Early Revolvers

Introduced rotating cylinders and faster reloading in the 19th century.
Famous models:

• Colt Paterson
• Colt Walker
• Adams Revolver

Civil War-Era Rifles

Rifled barrels and percussion systems gave higher accuracy.
Famous models:

• Sharps Rifle
• Spencer Repeating Rifle
• Henry Rifle

Vintage Lever-Action Guns

Predecessors to modern repeating rifles, used in the Old West.
Famous models:

• Winchester Model 1873
• Marlin Model 1881
• Evans Repeating Rifle

Non-Lethal and Training Guns

Non-lethal and training guns are used for practice, crowd control, or law enforcement situations where deadly force isn’t intended. These firearms or firearm-like tools help build skills, ensure safety, or handle threats without causing fatal injury.

Airsoft Guns

Replicas that shoot plastic BBs using compressed air or gas. Used in tactical training and recreational games.
Common types:

• Airsoft Glock 17
• M4 Airsoft Rifle
• H&K MP5 Airsoft

Paintball Guns (Markers)

Shoot paint-filled pellets for sport and simulation. Often used in scenario training.
Common types:

• Tippmann 98 Custom
• Planet Eclipse Etha
• Spyder MR100

Blank-Firing Guns

Realistic firearms that fire only blanks. Often used in movies, drills, or ceremonial events.
Common types:

• Zoraki 925
• Bruni Olympic 6
• Retay S2022

Rubber Bullet Guns

Used by law enforcement for riot control or crowd dispersion. Less lethal but can still cause injury.
Common types:

• FN 303 Launcher
• Penn Arms 40mm Revolver Launcher
• Milkor MGL firing rubber rounds

Training Pistols

Designed for safe, repeated practice. Often solid-color, weighted, and non-firing.
Common types:

• Glock Bluegun
• SIRT Training Pistol
• ASP Red Gun

Stun Guns and Tasers

Deliver electric shocks to incapacitate without lasting harm. Often carried for personal defense.
Common types:

• Taser X2
• Taser Pulse
• Vipertek VTS-989

Guns by Role and Application

Firearms are built for different roles depending on the task, user, and environment. Whether for defense, hunting, sport, or military use, each category suits specific operational needs. Below are the common gun types based on their practical application.

Self-Defense Guns

Compact, easy to carry, and quick to draw in emergencies.
Common choices:

• Glock 43X (pistol)
• Smith & Wesson M&P Shield
• Taurus G3C
• Ruger LCP Max

Law Enforcement Guns

Reliable firearms selected for duty use, crowd control, or tactical raids.
Common choices:

• Glock 17 (sidearm)
• Remington 870 (shotgun)
• Colt M4 Carbine (rifle)
• Taser X2 (non-lethal)

Military Guns

Built for durability, automatic fire, and performance in extreme conditions.
Common choices:

• M16A4
• FN SCAR-H
• M249 SAW
• Barrett M82

Hunting Guns

Designed for accuracy, range, and stopping power suitable for different game.
Common choices:

• Remington 700 (rifle)
• Mossberg 500 (shotgun)
• Henry Lever Action .30-30
• Tikka T3x

Competition and Sport Shooting Guns

Tuned for precision, balance, and speed in matches or target ranges.
Common choices:

• CZ Shadow 2 (pistol)
• Walther PPQ Q5 Match
• Ruger 10/22
• Benelli SuperSport (shotgun)

Home Defense Guns

Chosen for short-range power, maneuverability, and ease of use under stress.
Common choices:

• Mossberg 590 (shotgun)
• AR-15 pistol
• Glock 19
• Kel-Tec KSG

Survival and Prepper Guns

Versatile firearms for long-term sustainability, small game hunting, and self-defense.
Common choices:

• Ruger 10/22 Takedown
• Savage Model 42
• AR-7 Survival Rifle
• Smith & Wesson Model 60

Firearm Types by Firing Mechanism

Different guns use various firing mechanisms to ignite the cartridge and fire a round. These mechanisms affect how fast the firearm shoots, how it’s loaded, and how reliable it is in different conditions. Here’s a breakdown of the main types:

Single-Shot Firearms

Fires one round at a time; must be reloaded after each shot.

• Break-action rifle
• Single-shot shotgun
• Thompson Center Contender

Bolt-Action Firearms

Manually operated bolt loads and ejects cartridges; known for accuracy.

• Remington 700
• Mosin-Nagant
• Mauser 98

Lever-Action Firearms

Lever beneath the trigger loads the next round; classic Western style.

• Winchester Model 94
• Marlin 336
• Henry Big Boy

Pump-Action Firearms

Fore-end is pumped to chamber the next shell and eject the spent one.

• Remington 870
• Mossberg 500
• Winchester Model 12

Semi-Automatic Firearms

Fires one round per trigger pull and auto-loads the next.

• AR-15
• Glock 17
• Beretta M9

Fully Automatic Firearms

Continuously fires while the trigger is held.

• M249 SAW
• M60
• Heckler & Koch MG4

Select-Fire Firearms

Switchable firing modes: semi-auto, burst, or full-auto.

• M16
• FN SCAR
• AK-12

Revolving Firearms

Rotating cylinder aligns rounds with the barrel.

• Colt Python
• Smith & Wesson Model 686
• Ruger GP100

Break-Action Firearms

Hinges open to load shells manually; often side-by-side or over-under.

• Stoeger Coach Gun
• Browning Citori
• Savage 301

Blowback-Operated Firearms

Simple design using recoil to cycle the action.

• Walther PPK
• MAC-10
• Hi-Point C9

FAQs about Different Types of Guns

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