A Writer's Resource for Weapons Research

Descriptions and tips for fiction authors on describing weapons and how they work - and a little of why. This is a work in progress - more will be added as needed.

AN EXAMPLE:  On the left is a Sig Sauer P938, a "pocket pistol" marketed by Sig (originally a European company, although this model is manufactured in the USA) and targeted toward the US demand for concealable weapons. Many States have enacted a "right to carry" law where the State must allow the issue of a concealed weapon permit if the applicant meets a set of ATF guidelines. This pistol fires the 9mm Luger round and is small enough to fit in a holster in a front pants pocket. It features many of the same ergonomics of the venerable Army .45 automatic in a scaled down weapon. This one includes a Crimson Trace laser (the bulge in front of the trigger).

Lots of room for opinions and  - for your fictional characters - weird choices. Does the 9mm round have sufficient stopping power? Is the P938 reliable given a bad record for the initial run? Do you prefer single action over double action triggers? How many rounds can be loaded in the magazine - not clip? Does a "cheap" weapon equate to "crap?"

Different weapons - pistols, rifles, knives - and information about weapon ammunitions, nomenclature  and operations are illustrated and discussed on the attached pages, hopefully in sufficient detail to help someone who is not very familiar with weapons "get it right" while writing fiction. A reminder and disclaimer - these pages are only a resource for writers writing fiction - to help someone who may not know all they need about a particular weapon - to help keep the clips out of the automatics. (Examples: AUTOMATIC pistols are not truly "automatic" - they are SEMI-AUTOMATIC  - and use MAGAZINES - not CLIPS). No semiautomatic pistol made has, now or ever, used a "clip."

The hyperlinked words will take you to the glossary for further explanations.

A new page has been started on ammo and reloading, based on my own experience, and a fictional sniper who may appear in a future novel.

This is not a source for legal advice - man, are you ever in the wrong place for that! - nor for the interpretation of laws or governmental policies.

If you are handling or actually firing a real - not fictional - weapon, be especially carful to follow all manufacturer's safety guidelines, AND use common sense. Weapons are devices designed to harm. Do not let the harm fall to the unintended.

Want some cool stuff? Check out the "Glock Forum Big Giveaway 2013."

Your comments and suggests are welcomed.