firearmsforwriters

[firearmsforwriters]

I have a character who is TINY--5', 100lbs, and uncomfortable with guns. Unfortunately, she needs one, because of people trying to kill her. Can you talk about a few guns she might like and/or about how she might choose between them?

Hello, and thanks for the ask!

It really depends on what type of firearm your character can use, if she only needs it around the house or in her car, then I would recommend something along the lines of a Ruger 10-22, which is chambered in .22 long rifle and which has 50 round magazines available. Furthermore, your character, depending on where she lives, could go into any gun store and walk out with one 45 minutes later.

The downside of the .22LR caliber is its size. It is a very small round, and the only reason I mention a rifle chambered in it is due to the round’s nearly non-existent recoil, and because of this, your character can fire very rapidly while still staying on target.

Other options in the rifle / carbine category would be a Just Right Carbine, which is a handgun caliber rifle and as such, has a light recoil, or a Kriss Vector carbine, which has a unique way of firing that makes the felt recoil very light. Both the JRC and the Vector are available in a variety of calibers.

Another option would be an AR15 style rifle chambered in .223 / 5.56x45. These style rifles have a small recoil, an abundance of models and styles, and more accessories than….well, there’s a lot of them. You can get magazines that hold anywhere from 20 to 100 rounds, and the 5.56 round has some pretty decent stopping power.

However, if your character requires a handgun, that limits us options in terms of caliber.

Ruger makes several handguns chambered in .22LR, as does Smith & Wesson, though, as a self-defence round, is not ideal, due to low speeds and small bullets.

That leaves us with other options: .380/9mm/.38 special, .40S&W, and 5.7x28.

.380 is a shorter version of the 9mm Luger round, and is fairly popular as a self defence caliber, though it has a heavier recoil that makes it harder to control than the .22LR, though, I personally would choose a .380 over a .22LR for self-defence.

9mm Luger is much the same as .380, though longer and more powerful, with  snappier recoil. The benefit of 9mm is that you can get a gun in any size chambered in it, from subcompact semi-automatic pistols and revolvers like the Glock 26 and the Ruger LCR, to full size semi-automatic pistols and revolvers like the glock 17 and revolvers like the Smith & Wesson Model 926.

The next round that is possible is .38 special. .38 special is most commonly used in revolvers. You can get revolvers in the ‘compact’’ size, like the S&W (Smith & Wesson) Model 340 PD, Which can also accept and fire .357 Magnum rounds, which are heavier, harder kicking .38 Special rounds.

.40 S&W  faces the same problems as the .380 does. While it is a solid self-defence round, it, for a novice shooter, has a relatively large amount of recoil. You can get handguns chambered in 40S&W in most any size you want.

The final round I only mention due to it having light recoil and being able to penetrate certain types of body armor. (I, at the time of answering this ask, have not done an essay on the different types of body armor,but but plan on doing one soon.)

5.7x28 came about in 1990, when firearms manufacturer FN developed a sub-machine gun and semi-automatic handgun that fired the same round. While the combination never really took off, they were somewhat popular among various counter-terrorism units due to the effectiveness of the round and the high magazine capacity of both firearms. However, the pistol is rather large even for me, with relatively large hands, and the ammunition is rather expensive. For your character, it would not be an ideal gun.

However, with training on all of the firearms mentioned in this answer, your character should have no problem with using any of them to defend herself, though I would highly recommend she spends a significant time practicing her accuracy.

A final note, depending on where your character lives, CCW laws may apply to both carrying a handgun on her person, or in her car. For ways that she can carry a handgun on her in a concealed fashion, check out this post: https://firearmsforwriters.tumblr.com/post/156363771649/a-lot-of-movies-seem-pretty-ridiculous-with-their  or search the CCW tag on this blog.

I hope this helps!

-Firemod

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[firearmsforwriters]

What can you tell me about rocket launchers? My character needs something that would take out a reasonably-sized tank. Thanks!!

Hello, and thanks for the ask! Unfortunately, shoulder fired rocket launchers are out of my area of expertise, though, I can refer you to @scriptsoldier, who should be more able to answer your question! Thanks for asking! -firemod Http://firearmsforwriters.tumblr.com/disclaimer Http://firearmsforwriters.tumblr.com/dictionary

[firearmsforwriters]

Why do different police agencies choose different handguns for their officers? What are some common police weapons, and what are the relative advantages of each? (Writing for a story, not for research, I'm making up a police department.)

Hello, and thanks for the ask!

I am not a police officer, so I can’t answer this with absolute certainty, but I would assume that agencies choose firearms based on handling, accuracy, magazine capacity, and stopping power.

For many years, the FBI issued some combination of .38 Special, .357 magnum, and 9mm Luger caliber handguns to their field agents and SWAT teams. However, after the infamous 1986 Miami shootout, the FBI switched to the .40 Smith & Wesson caliber due to claims that the 9mm was an ineffective round, and as such 40 S&W has been a very popular law enforcement caliber ever since.

As for specific types of firearms, Many law enforcement agencies use full size Glocks, usually in 9mm Luger, Smith & Wesson Military & Police series, often in 9mm, and a few others. However, it is my understanding that some police agencies allow the use of personal handguns, in whatever caliber the officer wishes, as long as they can pass a shooting test with it.

Advantages and disadvantages of the various firearms are mostly subjective, handguns in 9mm generally have higher magazine capacities and lower recoil than both .40 and .45 caliber handguns, though less stopping power, while it is the other way around for handguns chambered in .45, with greater stopping power, but more recoil and generally lower magazine capacity.

I hope this helps!

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[firearmsforwriters]

Can you talk a little bit about the ethics or moral considerations a character might have when deciding whether or not to CCW? THANK YOU!!

Hello, and thanks for the ask!

I believe @scriptshrink can elaborate more on this, but in my opinion, the main question your character should ask themselves is “Am I willing to look another person in the eyes and kill them to save myself?”

I say this because most engagements where you would use a CCW style firearm will take place within 3 to 5 feet of your assailant, sometimes at ranges where you can legitimately hug your assailant.

If  your character’s answer is “No,” then carrying a concealed firearm is probably not the best idea, and it would be a good idea for them to carry some form of taser or pepper-spray.

-Firemod

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[firearmsforwriters]

How would my characters go about trying to keep guns in working condition long term in subzero temps? I have a modern ice age scenario and I was picturing some of the characters using guns, but it being a rare thing and mostly used for intimidation. Thank you!

Hello, and thank you for the ask!

So, in sub-zero conditions, the main thing to worry about with firearms is making sure that no ice, mud, or dirt builds up inside the firearm, as that can cause significant problems during any use of the firearm.

This can cause anything from the firearm to not work as intended, to the firearm quite literally exploding, and causing injuries to the shooter and any surrounding people or things.

As for ammunition, there are limited reports of ammunition not working as well, working better than expected, or not working at all in extreme cold.

Generally, though this is not always true, the older the firearm, the less likely it is to work properly in extreme cold. During World War Two and more extensively, during the Cold War, The United States and later, NATO and the USSR did numerous quality checks on their respective service weapons in all sorts of environments to make sure they would function as needed. This means most modern military style firearms will, barring outside influence, work well in extreme cold.

-Firemod

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[firearmsforwriters]

So, what is the process of actually getting a gun?

This question seems to be asking for real world advice. This blog is meant for writing advice only. Please either rephrase your question or, if you were looking for real world advice, take a trip to your local gun store, and they will be able to answer all of your questions.

-firemod

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[firearmsforwriters]

A lot of movies seem pretty ridiculous with their weapon handling, often just sticking them in the waistband of their pants. If my character wants easy access to their guns, which are the most practical spots for them to have it holstered?

Hello, and thank you for the ask!

Firstly, it depends on what size your character's firearm is, and secondly, how well your character wants to conceal their firearm.

If your character has a handgun, then there are a few ways to carry it.

The first way is also the most obvious, which is using an ‘outside waistband’ or ‘OWB’ holster. These are often the type of holsters police officers use, as they rest on the outside of the wearer’s pants. There are open holsters for every conceivable size of handgun, and can even come with slots for extra magazines. However, the downside is, they are easily seen, and the least concealed way to carry a handgun. Another thing to consider for open holster’s is the character’s city, state, or country’s laws on open carry.

The second way is what’s known as a ‘shoulder’ holster. They are worn much like a backpack, with the firearm, if the character is right handed, on the left side of the torso, with the firearm pointing towards the character’s back. Often, there are slots or pouches for extra magazines on the right side of the holster, under the character’s right arm. These holsters are also made for most any size of pistol, though there are limitations on these, due to where the firearm is placed.

Shoulder holsters are more easily concealable, due to the character’s ability to wear a jacket over the holster, hiding the firearm from sight. These holsters will not work for excessively large handguns, such as many magnum caliber revolvers, due to the sheer size of the handgun.

The next type of holster is known as the ‘inside waistband’ holster, or IWB holster. These holsters, like their OWB cousins, are worn on the character’s pants, though on the inside, in-between the character’s pants and underwear. These holsters are meant for compact and subcompact pistols, like the Glock 19 and 26, respectively. However, there are companies making IWB holsters for full size handguns, such as the Urban Carry holsters. https://urbancarryholsters.com/

The final type of holster that fits what you might want for your character is known as a pocket holster. These are meant almost exclusively for subcompact pistols, due to being placed inside a pants pocket. All these holsters really do is mask the shape of the firearm so that it doesn’t ‘print,’ which is where you can see the shape of a firearm through the material of the pants your character is wearing, and protect the trigger from accidentally being pulled if the firearm does not have any external safeties.

A final note for shoulder holsters, IWB holsters, and pocket holsters, all of these fall under the category of carrying a concealed weapon, with the exception of the shoulder holster if a jacket is NOT worn to conceal the holster, and you will want to check your character’s local, state, and federal laws on CCW.  

I hope this helps you!

-Firemod

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[firearmsforwriters]

Firearms Dictionary Vol. 1

This glossary is intended to be a reference for any and all firearms terminology that may be used in posts on this blog. While this is not a complete firearms terminology dictionary, I will continually update this list with definitions.

Action: An action is the part of the firearm that feeds, fires, and extracts the ammunition.

Ammunition / ammo: The collective term for the projectile and propellant used in a firearm.

ATF: The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms.

Barrel: The tube down which the projectile or projectiles travel down as the firearm is fired.

Bayonet: A pointy bit of metal attached to the end of a rifle to create a ‘makeshift’ spear. There are a few types of bayonets, the primary two being sword/knife bayonets and spike bayonets.

Bore: The inside of a barrel.

Bullet: The projectile of a rifle or handgun.

Caliber: The diameter of the bore of a firearm or the diameter of the bullet, usually expressed in hundredths or thousandths of an inch.

Case / casing / cartridge / shell: In modern firearms, a brass or steel tube that contains primer, propellant, and projectile. Casing also refers to the empty metal housing. See also: Paper casings.

CCW: Acronym for “Carrying Concealed Weapon.” This often refers to carrying a concealed firearm, or having a license to do so. It can also refer to handguns commonly used in CCW type situations.

Chamber: The portion of the barrel or firing cylinder that a cartridge is inserted into before being fired.

Choke: A device put in the muzzle of a shotgun to limit the spread of the shot or pellets fired from it, primarily used for hunting and competition shooting.

Clip / Stripper clip: A thin, sometimes flexible piece of metal for loading an amount of ammunition into a firearm’s fixed magazine quickly. NOT a magazine. See also: Fixed magazine, Detachable magazine.

Detachable magazine: A stamped or molded piece of plastic or metal with a spring inside used to contain and feed a quantity of ammunition into a firearm. This magazine can be removed for reloading of either the firearm with a different magazine or reloading of the magazine itself. Commonly found in modern handguns, rifles, and some shotguns. NOT a clip.  See also: Clip, Fixed magazine.

EDC: An acronym for everyday carry, usually a firearm, knife, and flashlight combination that you would carry with you every day, where permitted.

Firing pin: On modern firearms, a firing pin is a piece of metal that is slammed into the primer on a case with enough force to set it off, discharging the firearm.

Fixed magazine: A magazine that cannot be removed from the firearm, commonly found on lever-action firearms, turn-of-the-century handguns, military infantry rifles as late as the 1940s, and many modern shotguns. Also NOT a clip. See also: Clip, Detachable magazine.

Gauge: Gauge is used to refer to shotgun bore size, by the weight of a lead ball that will fit into the bore of the shotgun. So, a 12 gauge shotgun can fit a lead ball that is 1/12 of a pound, a 10 gauge can fit a ball weighing 1/10th of a pound, and so on.

Grain: The weight of a bullet. 100 grains roughly equals 0.229 ounces. Historically, a grain is the weight of one seed of a cereal, such as wheat or barley. I have no idea why we as a firearms society didn’t switch to ounces or something.

Hammer: A piece of metal that, by way of spring pressure, is slammed into the firing pin, causing the firing pin to set off a cartridge’s primer.

Muzzle: The very front of a firearm.

Muzzleloading firearm / Muzzleloader: A firearm that is loaded from the muzzle. Ex: Muskets.

NFA: The National Firearms Act, signed into effect in 1934.This act places restrictions on certain types and/or aspects of firearms.

Nipple: The part of a firearm where a percussion cap is placed on percussion-lock, also known as caplock firearms.

Paper casings: A projectile, powder, and occasionally, primer wrapped and contained in paper for easier storage and loading of the firearm. Earliest use of paper cartridges dates back to the late 14th century. Made obsolete by the invention of the self contained metallic cartridge in the mid-1800s.

Percussion cap: A small, metallic cap filled with a small amount of shock-sensitive explosive that is placed on the nipple of a percussion-lock firearm, that acts as the primer for the firearm.

Primer: A shock-sensitive explosive used in percussion caps, and later, self-contained cartridges, to ignite the gunpowder and discharge the firearm.

Rifling: Grooves on the inside of a barrel of a firearm to impart spin on a projectile.

Receiver: The part of the firearm that houses all of the bits that make up the firing mechanism.

Safety: A mechanism on and/or inside a firearm that prevents the firearm from firing.

Slug: A term for a singular, solid, projectile fired from a shotgun, with its weight usually being measured in ounces.

Shot / pellets: Spheres of lead or steel fired from a shotgun that spread out after they leave the barrel.

Stock: The rear of a rifle, shotgun, and some pistols that the operator presses against their shoulder to dampen recoil and aim more accurately.

Suppressor / silencer: An object attached to the end of a firearm to reduce the amount of noise produced by a firearm discharging.

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#Firearms Dictionary

[firearmsforwriters]

My maiden post!

Hello, writers, poets, playwrights, and anyone else who is reading this blog. I am Firemod. I will be running the Script-Firearms blog. The purpose of this blog is to help writers be more detailed and accurate with with how firearms are described and used in fiction.

The purpose of this blog IS NOT to provide real world advice on firearms. Any and all questions asking for real world advice will be answered with: “This is a question asking for real-world advice. This blog is for answering questions that writers have for their fictional plots, not questions pertaining to real-world scenarios.”

My inspiration for this blog is pretty simple. There is a YouTube channel dedicated to spreading knowledge about antique, unique, and otherwise obscure firearms and how they work. I wish to do much the same with any and all types of firearms, in the aspect of using and describing them correctly in fiction. I will undoubtedly reference this channel in my many posts on firearms on this blog.

I, have worked as an armorer's apprentice for about two years, as schooling has allowed. This, however, does not mean that I am qualified to give real world advice. If you want real world advice, especially pertaining to the subject matter of what firearm to purchase for X scenario, I highly recommend a trip to your local gun store.

Over the next few weeks, I, in addition to answering any asks you may have, will be posting a series of informative essays covering content from the most basic to the gritty details of firearms lore. These will include, but not necessarily in this order:

Types of firearms.

Common types of ammunition.

A brief history of the development of firearms.

An overview of the various types of firearms actions. I.e.: How they work.

United States federal firearms laws and regulations.

State government firearms laws and restrictions, focusing on states that have expansive restrictions on firearms.

Restricted firearms and firearms accessories. (Will probably tie into the federal and state government restrictions.)

International firearms laws and regulations.

Common firearms tropes that should, at all costs, be avoided.

Fantasy/Science-Fiction weapons.

As of now, the ask box is open, though, please, please, please, please, read the disclaimer below. Seriously. Do it. Read the disclaimer. It’s right here:

This blog and all posts within it ARE NOT intended to provide proper training, education, or anything official on firearms. This information is not to be construed as proper firearms training, whether that be use the use of, disassembly, reassembly, manufacturing, design, any and all laws concerning firearms, or any other subject that is discussed in this blog.

This blog’s purpose is to give writers a more realistic glimpse into the way firearms actually work, and the history of the use, design, and operation of firearms that theoretical, fictional, and otherwise NOT REAL characters and stories can use to be more accurate. Many of these posts are my best guess and what I can learn from (necessarily) brief research. Do not do this shit at home.

Should you choose to ignore the fact that these posts are intended to discuss fictional, not-real, hypothetical (let me repeat: NOT REAL) firearms situations, by reading this blog, you agree to hold myself and the ScriptX blog family completely and totally blameless in any negative sequelae that should occur.

Do not read this blog, and think that you can safely design, manufacture, operate, repair, maintain, or otherwise use a firearm, or circumnavigate any and all firearms laws that exist in this lovely world of ours, or teach anyone else to do the above.

This blog expresses my views alone and does not reflect the views of any employer, agency, firearms manufacturer, firearms retailer, training organization, or accreditation I may or may not hold.

Seriously, though. Please don’t sue me. That would suck. Thank you for reading this.