Thread: Hand guns? Ammo?

Do you know anyone who owns firearms? For stuff like this it's helpful to have some practical experience, else it's hard to convey the feel of things (unless you're a Stephen Crane type). Take a trip to a firing range and do some shooting yourself, you know?

Originally Posted by Anjelus

Do you know anyone who owns firearms? For stuff like this it's helpful to have some practical experience, else it's hard to convey the feel of things (unless you're a Stephen Crane type). Take a trip to a firing range and do some shooting yourself, you know?

I definately agree with that, especially from my experiance writing a WWII historical fiction set in 1942 Soviet Russia. I knew very little about guns and ammo from a technical perspective so I was literally doing research left, right, and centre. I consulted with several "experts" (who I knew from my archery club) on the subject before writing certain parts of the story. I even picked up a bit of shooting "jargon" along the way which I threw into my story. It's good to throw in those terms because it makes the situation sound more authentic and shows the readers that you know what you are talking about.

Another thing you may want to consider if stealth is important for the assassin. Bullets (especially the larger calibers) often break the sound barrier when they are fired. When you hear a gunshot, you are not only hearing the blast thar propels the bullet, but often a small sonic boom as well. I am not sure about handgun calibers, but I am pretty sure most rifle calibers are supersonic. A suppresor/silencer cannot make any weapon completely silent as you may already know. It will reduce the flash and a bit of the noise, but there is no way to remove a sonic boom (unless subsonic ammo is used). If subsonic ammo is to be used, you should probably make a mention of it somewhere within the story.

Peace, (slightly ironic for me to be saying on this topic)

Revekka

The modern spook will have a plastic gun which will avoid detection - When I say plastic I don't mean Tupperware; some modern plastics and composites are very strong, and carbon-fibre is transparent to X-Rays.

Originally Posted by Revekka

I definately agree with that, especially from my experiance writing a WWII historical fiction set in 1942 Soviet Russia. I knew very little about guns and ammo from a technical perspective so I was literally doing research left, right, and centre. I consulted with several "experts" (who I knew from my archery club) on the subject before writing certain parts of the story. I even picked up a bit of shooting "jargon" along the way which I threw into my story. It's good to throw in those terms because it makes the situation sound more authentic and shows the readers that you know what you are talking about.

Another thing you may want to consider if stealth is important for the assassin. Bullets (especially the larger calibers) often break the sound barrier when they are fired. When you hear a gunshot, you are not only hearing the blast thar propels the bullet, but often a small sonic boom as well. I am not sure about handgun calibers, but I am pretty sure most rifle calibers are supersonic. A suppresor/silencer cannot make any weapon completely silent as you may already know. It will reduce the flash and a bit of the noise, but there is no way to remove a sonic boom (unless subsonic ammo is used). If subsonic ammo is to be used, you should probably make a mention of it somewhere within the story.

Peace, (slightly ironic for me to be saying on this topic)

Revekka

I believe the .22 is the only common round that doesn't go super-sonic. I have read it is the only truly silence-able round. All the rest are supressed.

Originally Posted by Bloggsworth

The modern spook will have a plastic gun which will avoid detection - When I say plastic I don't mean Tupperware; some modern plastics and composites are very strong, and carbon-fibre is transparent to X-Rays.

There is enough metal in factory built weapons to set off detectors. This does not mean one could not be made completely out of plastic. It would of course have to have plastic bullets* with caseless or plastic cased rounds. (*Not rubber, hard core deadly plastic bullets.)

Something that came to mind if you are wanting to know how to load a gun.

Check out some video footage of first person shooters on Youtube. Most often times it will show the reload animation. The animations may not always be 100% accurate, but you get the basic idea. That's actually how I learned most of what I know about guns before I consulted with the "experts" (sad, I know).

Warning: Violence and language.

MP-443 Grach - Battlefield: Bad Company 2 - YouTube

Hope that helps,

Revekka

Originally Posted by Gumby

This is my view also, you can't beat a Glock.

I also agree with this. Glocks are pretty good and they also make several compact models. However if you are a big guy they will fit easily inside your pants with an inside pants holster(I forget the proper name for this holster because I don't carry inside my pants). Some departments also use Glocks as a standard issue weapon so it would match the suggestion "Bodyguards like to intimidate. They also like to know that each shot counts. Conversely, many are former military and / police and have an affinity to standard issue guns. So, based on your male character's background, it'll be .40 to .45 cal if they're the 'loose cannon' type, or a Sig Sauer style 9mm if they're more straight laced.
Your lady, statistically speaking, will carry a .380 or 9mm. That would fit her description as well.

BTW, you mentioned your MC being an assassin. That would probably involve using a rifle. And THAT is a whole lot more complicated..."
It might not be threatening like a Desert Eagle but it is more proper looking then some of the small guns out there. It has a standard magazine that drops out of the grip with the push of a button. If you have any other questions for me let me know.