Man hit with handgun in Sydney's west

A handgun went off when it was used to strike a man on the head during a brawl in Sydney's west, police say.

Shortly after 9pm on Sunday officers were called to a reception venue on Hamilton Road in Fairfield to find a 37-year-old man with a cut to his head.

Police were told that another man had hit the 37-year-old's head with a handgun, resulting in a shot being discharged into the air.

The offender had left the scene before officers arrived.

The injured man was taken to Liverpool Hospital in a stable condition for treatment.

The man being sought by police is described as being of Mediterranean/Middle Eastern appearance, aged in his 30s, with a chubby build, large stomach, and short black hair.

He was last seen wearing a black shirt and black pants.