This isn't any kind of rules question, just an observation of the description of the revolver in pathfinder.
I've been wrapping my imagination around the description, and I don't think there is a real-world analog. From the Ultimate Equipment Guide, the Ultimate Combat Guide, and the d20pfsrd website, they all say this about the revolver:
"Each chamber can hold a metal cartridge, and when one cartridge is shot, the cylinder automatically rotates (no extra hand or action required), readying the next chamber for firing."
In a single action revolver the hammer is pulled back manually, and the mechanics of the weapon also rotate the cylinder to bring the chamber to be fired in line with the firing pin. The trigger's only action then, when pulled, is to release the hammer.
In a double action revolver the trigger pull carries the task of pulling back the hammer, which also performs the cylinder rotation. At the end of the trigger pull the hammer falls.
I don't know of a revolver design where the cylinder rotation occurs after the hammer has dropped on the existing chamber. To my mind, the Pathfinder advanced revolver would have to rely on releasing the trigger to activate the weapon's mechanics (counter-levers, springs, lugs, etc.) that would then rotate the cylinder for the next shot. That would make all revolvers in Golarion weird Single Action revolvers; requiring two distinct actions:
Pull the trigger -
The hammer comes back and releases, thereby firing the round.
Release the trigger -
The hammer remains in place, while the cylinder cycles to the next chamber.
Does this about right? May I go to bed now?
