What do handguns look like?
Here are two examples of popular service pistols used by law enforcement. Do more research to find out what type of weapon the shooter would use.
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| Browning Hi-Power |
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| SIG Sauer P226 |
Where is the safety on a gun?
Well, every gun is different. And, in all honesty, when writing mystery fiction, do we really say more than, "he/she took the safety off"?
However, some popular guns have safety in the grip -such as the 1911 guns. For such a gun to fire, even if you press the trigger if the back of the grip is not pressed in – which it always is in when you hold it for firing but never otherwise as it is spring loaded to stay out – even if you press the trigger that gun will not fire. The grip safety must be pressed in to go BANG. Some popular guns such as Glocks have no safety switches but they have little levers on the trigger. To fire the gun, whether cocked or not, you must first press the little trigger lever and then pull the trigger.
Revolvers have no safeties but they are much harder to pull the trigger (relative to a semi-auto).
What are the parts of a handgun called?
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| The Simple Diagram |
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| The More Complex Diagram |
What do handgun shots sound like?
Well, again, it depends on the gun, where you are (indoors or out), how far away you are. I once was a few houses away when police started shooting but it was with rifles so it was loud. Also, I was running to my car, so I wasn't trying to think of what it sounded like either. From far away (like a few streets away, they are much quieter and sound more like popping to me. I put a video on my youtube account, you can go watch it here. You do NOT see any dead bodies - no one dies. (Keep in mind, it sounds different on TV.) If any of you have heard a gun go off, what did it sound like to you?What happens when you shoot a gun in the air?
The bullet comes down. And hard. Some idiot on New Years Eve shot a gun outside of my father's house into the air and the bullet came down through my father's Honda Civic roof and down into the drivers seat. Had my father been sitting behind the steering wheel, he'd be dead. If you shoot a gun in the air, it can kill someone.Is this all I need to know?
Of course not. But, I have this word of advice. You don't want to get your facts wrong, don't go into to much detail. The average reader does not need to know much more than someone was shot. However, when doing witness statements or forensics, research is good to have.I want to hear your gun stories, people! What kind of experience do you have with firearms? Anything you want to know for my next gun post?
Next week: Gunshot residue. Bullet holes. Can bullets go through concrete? What about glass?
Sources: Rightnerve.com
Smith and Wesson
Oh my gosh! How do you know so much about guns? And how do you stay sane hearing gun shots so often? You must really have your wits about you!
ReplyDeleteAre you a writer? Then you MUST enter this CONTEST!
Clarissa - Oh, thank you for this! I admit right now; I'm woefully uninformed about guns. In fact, that's a big part of the reason for which I don't include them in my novels. I don't know enough to write intelligently about them. My only personal experience with firearms is that once, I went with someone to a shooting range and had the change to shoot a .357 at some paper targets. I certainly didn't have dead-eye aim, although I wasn't entirely hopeless. The experience left me with a deep respect for the awful damage guns can do, and the real sense of power that I think some people get from having and using a gun. Your gun posts are really helping me learn more, and for that, thanks!
ReplyDeleteAA, I am no expert with guns. In fact, I don't like them at all. As much as I hate to admit it, guns are a fact of life and many are dying down here by them. How do I stay sane? I just don't think about it. Also, I've sadly become a bit desensitized.
ReplyDeleteMargot, I think people need to respect guns. It only takes a second and you end a person's life forever.
CD
Great post, Clarissa!
ReplyDeletegood info on guns. The Baretta 9mm is one the most popular (because it is easily obtained) guns in the US and is used by the US Military. Although, it is sometimes not a good fit for a woman shooter because of the large size of the handle.
Also some handguns are specifically made to accept silencers. Others can only used "home fashioned" silencers such as plastic water bottles.
What a good post! I'm always impressed when I read your blog.
Informative, as always. I don't know much about them, but somehow they seem to end up in my novels. Mostly, I focus on the other end of things - the damage they do. I've got some very helpful info. on guns though, based on questions I've asked at the tnbw forum.
ReplyDeleteJL, I might mention silencers in my next blog. I mean to do a post about that. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteJoy, I know Doralynn is an expert. I know I can go to her with a question.
CD
Gosh, I never knew any of that stuff about handguns - mind you they are illegal here! But now I know where to come if I need to do any research for the novel!
ReplyDeleteYeah, research only. I don't condone shooting anyone for research.
ReplyDeleteCD
Wow, you know your stuff! I haven't used guns yet, not even laserguns.
ReplyDeleteThis is very helpful. I grew up in Idaho and we had rifle safety as part of PE (now THAT is rural!) but I know far less about handguns. Writing the dark stuff I do though, it is something I should get familiar with (in fact I have a book I should add some detail to, and this is perfect!)
ReplyDeleteAlex, I don't really. But, I love doing research.
ReplyDeleteHart, I hope you find it helpful. Thanks for your comment.
Cd
hi miss clarissa! i dont have any guns in my stories. theyre pretty scary for me. when my dad was alive he had lots of guns and played with them lots and one time when he was real drunk he was doing quick draws and the gun got stuck in its hoster and BAM he shot his self right smack in the leg. now we sold off all his guns.
ReplyDelete...smiles from lenny
Lenny, that's an amazingly crazy story. I can see why you don't like them. I have a story like that but it involves my grandfather and a sword. I guess that's one reason I don't like knives.
ReplyDeleteTHanks for sharing!
CD
Well my gun story isn't that exciting...lol.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a kid, my mother had the family hunting rifles hidden in the closet behind blankets. None of my immediate family like to hunt but she had inherited these guns and they still worked.
Little did she know that I pulled that one rifle out every week, wedged it end to tip between the two narrow walls, then threw a baby blanket over it. This to make a door for my pretend house.
Im pretty sure that was dangerous. :))) I still have no idea if they were loaded. Knowing my family, probably.
So here I am--an almost statistic.
LOL. When my mother found out 20 years later, she still almost had a heart attack. Guns in an unlocked closet are available to a curious kid.
Tirz
Tirz, that is so funny... in a not so funny way. Yes, they probably were loaded. I'm glad you're all right though. Or else the world would be missing your wonderful poetry. Oh yeah, and your mum would be missing a daughter...I think that's worse.
ReplyDeleteCD
The Man has a couple of guns so he's teaching me. I've been to the range a few times. I love it. Great stress relief to shoot at targets. I tried aiming at bulls-eyes and I'm not so good. Then we put up a picture of a zombie and I was getting them right in the cranium. That's why when they're training police officers they use that profile. It's psychological. You have to get trained to shoot at a person. Bulls-eyes just don't do it, sad but true.
ReplyDeletePalindrome, you make a good point. Now, who would I like to shoot?
ReplyDeleteCD
Wow, Clarissa, I know zilch about guns. They took them all away from us in Oz after the Port Arthur massacre. Reading Lenny's story, maybe that's a good thing. Trouble is, of course, now it's only the crims who have guns. Now if I want to write about guns, I know where I can come. Thanks - and how come you fall asleep to the sound of gunfire? Love the Apocolypse Now ref..:D
ReplyDeleteI've never fired a handgun. I don't think I've even held one. I have fired a crossbow. THAT was awesome. I needed help loading it and I loved the kick.
ReplyDeleteL'Aussie, I don't really fall asleep to the sound of gunfire... that often. But, I thought I would make the reference.
ReplyDeleteLynda, there is a rush to firing a weapon. If there wasn't would many people use one?
CD
“I often fall asleep to the sound of gunfire” – I suspect that it would keep me awake.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this fascinating but scary post.
All the best, Boonsong
Um, hello?! You need to write more about that first sentence! Sod the forensics - I want more about why you wake up to the smell of gunpowder!
ReplyDeleteI beefy blog for my morning. Its like eating a breakfast burrito compared to a croissant. It'll stick to my ribs. Looking forward to the follow up blogs.
ReplyDeleteStephen Tremp
I have zippo experience with guns, but if I were going to write a character who shot one, I'd go to a firing range and try it out. Plus, I'd do research like you have here. This was great info for writers. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteGreat information. Maybe do a post about different types of bullets and what happens with each.
ReplyDeleteBoonsong, it's amazing what you can get used to when you have to.
ReplyDeleteTalli, I left you an explanation on your blog this morning.
Stephen, thanks. Glad you liked it.
Helen, yeah, go to a firing range or get your family (those who have guns) to let you shoot one.
Carol, great idea. I will.
CD