ARMS
The term “pistol” is frequently applied indiscriminately to the
single-shot pistol and the revolver. A marked distinction between these
arms has gradually been developed.
The pistol is now recognized as a single-shot arm, adapted for a light
charge and designed to secure extreme accuracy. Its use is limited almost
exclusively to target and exhibition shooting.
The modern revolver is an arm with a revolving cylinder holding five or
six cartridges, which are at the instant command of the shooter before it
is necessary to reload. It is designed for heavy charges, and is a
practical and formidable weapon. Revolvers are made in great variety, and
adapted for various purposes, such as military service, target shooting,
pocket weapons, etc. The best grades of pistols and revolvers may be had
at a reasonable price. The cheap grades with which the market is at all
times flooded should be avoided. They are incapable of doing good work,
and frequently are positively dangerous, on account of being made of
inferior materials.
The magazine or automatic pistol is the latest type of hand firearm. It is
a multishot pistol in which the mechanism is operated automatically by the
recoil. Pulling the trigger is the only manual operation necessary to fire
successive shots until the supply of cartridges in the magazine (usually
six to ten) is exhausted. The first models were introduced about 1898.
These had many defects and objections, such as failure to function
regularly, danger in manipulation due to insufficient safety devices, poor
balance, unsightly lines, etc. Nevertheless the advantages of this type of
arm over the revolver for military purposes in effective range, rapidity
of fire, accuracy, interchangeability, etc., were soon recognized and
manufacturers were encouraged to improve and perfect them.
Practically all the mechanical defects referred to have been corrected,
the balance and the lines improved, and safety devices introduced so that
these arms are now well adapted for military use and are rapidly
superseding the revolver as service weapons in the United States army and
navy. A synopsis of the severe tests leading to the adoption of a magazine
pistol by the War Department of the United States government may be found
in the Appendix.
_Military Arms._--The revolver and the magazine pistol are used for
military service. To fulfill the requirements these arms must be strong,
very durable, and withstand a great amount of hard usage without becoming
disabled. The effectiveness, or “stopping power,” is of prime importance.
The caliber should be large, the bullet should have a blunt point, and the
powder charge should be sufficiently powerful to give a penetration of at
least six inches in pine. There was a tendency some years ago to reduce
the caliber of military revolvers. While this resulted in increased
velocity and penetration, and reduced the weight of the ammunition, it did
not improve the stopping power of the arms.
The ineffectiveness of the .38-caliber service revolver charge was
frequently complained of by the officers and men serving in the Philippine
Islands. This was due to the light powder charge and the conoidal shaped
point of the bullet. To remedy this weakness .45-caliber revolvers were
issued for the Philippine service, and a new .45-caliber cartridge
designed to which magazine pistol manufacturers were invited to adapt an
arm. Unfortunately this new cartridge, which is now the service
ammunition, has also a conoidal pointed bullet, is not well proportioned,
and consequently develops only a part of its stopping power possibilities.
The sights must in all cases be very substantial, and solidly fixed to the
frame or barrel. The trigger pull varies from 4 to 8 pounds, the barrel
from 4 to 7½ inches in length, and the weight from 2 to 2¾ pounds.
Ammunition loaded with smokeless powder is now invariably used for
military service.
The service revolvers still in use in the United States army and navy are
the Smith & Wesson and Colt, both .38 caliber, and taking the same
ammunition. They have passed the prescribed series of tests as established
by the United States government,[3] and as improved and perfected
represent, without doubt, the highest development of the military
revolver.
These arms, shown in Figs. 1 and 2, have solid frames, and the actions are
almost identical, the cylinder swinging out to the left, on a hinge, when
released by a catch. The shells may then be extracted simultaneously by
pushing back the extractor rod. The Smith & Wesson has an additional
hinge-locking device in front of the cylinder. The Colt has an automatic
safety lock between the hammer and the frame, permitting discharge only
when the trigger is pulled. Apart from these features there is very little
difference between these arms.
The Smith & Wesson .44-caliber Military Revolver is the latest model of
the large caliber revolvers. Its action and general lines are the same as
the .38-caliber military, but it is a larger, heavier, and more powerful
weapon.
Other excellent military revolvers are the Colt New Service and the Smith
& Wesson Russian model, usually in .45 caliber and .44 caliber,
respectively. The ammunition for these arms was formerly loaded with black
powder; but smokeless cartridges have been adapted to them, which give
slightly increased velocity and the same accuracy. (See Fig. 4, facing p.
24.)
The Smith & Wesson Russian model has a hinge “tip-up” action, with an
automatic ejecting device. The action is operated by raising a catch in
front of the hammer. It is easy to manipulate and, on account of the
accessibility of the breech, the barrel can be readily inspected and
cleaned. This arm is single action. (See Fig. 5, facing p. 24.)
[Illustration: Fig. 1.--SMITH & WESSON 38 cal. MILITARY REVOLVER Six
shots; 6½ inch barrel; weight, 1 lb., 15 oz.]
[Illustration: Fig. 2.--COLT ARMY SPECIAL REVOLVER Six shots; 6 inch
barrel; weight, 2 lbs. 3 oz., .38 cal.]
[Illustration: Fig 3.--SMITH & WESSON .44 cal. MILITARY REVOLVER. Six
shots; 6½ inch barrel; weight 2 lbs. 6½ oz.]
The action of the Colt New Service is similar to that of the .38-caliber
revolver shown in Fig. 2, with a solid frame. It is double action.
The Colt Officer’s Model is identical in every respect with the Army
Special except that it is fitted with adjustable target sights and may be
had with lengths of barrel up to 7½ inches.
The foregoing arms, with good ammunition, are capable of making groups of
ten shots on a 3-inch circle at 50 yards.
The Colt single action Army is the most popular belt or holster weapon
among ranchmen, cowboys, prospectors, and others. It has a solid frame,
simple mechanism, and is exceedingly durable and reliable. The arm is
operated by opening a gate on the right-hand side, back of the cylinder.
The cartridges are inserted in the cylinder through the gate, the cylinder
being revolved by hand until the respective chambers come opposite the
gate. In the same manner the shells are ejected by pushing the extractor
rod back into each of the chambers. (See Fig. 6, facing p. 24.)
The Smith & Wesson Schofield Model, .45 caliber, was formerly a United
States service weapon. The ammunition for this arm, while less powerful
than the .45 Colt, was admirably adapted for military service, and had
much less recoil.
The Webley & Scott W. S. Model revolver is an English arm of much merit.
The caliber is .455. It has a hinge “tip-up” action, with an automatic
extractor very similar to the Smith & Wesson. (See Fig. 7, facing p. 26.)
The service weapon adopted by the Joint War Office and Admiralty Committee
for the British army and navy is the Webley & Scott “Mark IV,” or “Service
Model,” revolver. This model is almost identical with the W. S. Model,
except that the barrel is 4 inches long and the weight is 2 lbs. 3 oz. On
account of the short barrel, the accuracy of this weapon does not equal
that of the W. S. Model.
Another English arm is the “Webley-Fosbury” automatic revolver. The recoil
revolving the cylinder and cocking the hammer, it can be fired as rapidly
as the automatic pistols. It is chambered for the .455 service cartridge
loaded with 5½ grains of cordite. This arm has been introduced since
1900. (See Fig. 8, facing p. 26.)
Among the leading magazine or automatic pistols used for military service
are the Colt, Luger, Webley & Scott, Savage, Mauser, Knoble, Bergmann,
White-Merrill, Steyr, Mannlicher, Mors and Bayard. Most of these arms were
tested by the United States government[4] previous to the adoption of the
Colt as the service weapon of the U. S. Army and Navy. (See Fig. 9, facing
p. 26.)
The Luger has been adopted as the service weapon by Germany, Switzerland,
Portugal, Bulgaria, Holland, and Brazil. (See Fig. 10, facing p. 28.)
The Webley-Scott (.455 caliber) was adopted as the service arm by the
British navy in 1911, and the .32-caliber (weight 1 lb. 2 oz.) is now the
adopted arm of the London City and Metropolitan police forces. (See Fig.
11, facing p. 28.)
In most of these weapons, including the Colt, Webley & Scott, Luger, and
Steyr pistols, the cartridges are inserted in magazines which feed them
into the breech through the handle. In the Mauser pistol the cartridges
are supplied through clips from the top and forced into a magazine located
in front of the trigger. (See Fig. 12, facing p. 28.)
The magazine pistols can be fired at the rate of about five shots per
second. These arms equal the best military revolvers in accuracy.
Many persons believe that the magazine pistol will soon supersede the
revolver for general use. While this may be the case eventually, it is not
likely to occur within the next few years. The magazine pistol is more
complicated, and consequently more difficult to learn to shoot with and
care for, than the revolver. On account of the special problems to be
solved in the mechanism, many of them balance poorly and the trigger pull
is almost invariably long and creeping. The novice will also find it
difficult to avoid flinching in shooting these arms, on account of the
recoil mechanism, louder report, etc. The line of sight being considerably
higher than the grip, if they are not held perfectly plumb, or in the same
position at each shot, the shooting is liable to be irregular. The cost is
more than that of a good revolver. Until these undesirable features can be
remedied or eliminated, the revolver will probably remain a popular arm.
_Target Arms._--For target purposes the greatest possible accuracy is
desirable. To obtain this, many features essential in a military arm are
sacrificed. Delicate adjustable sights are employed, the trigger pull is
reduced, the length of the barrel is increased, the charge reduced, etc.
[Illustration: Fig. 4.--COLT NEW SERVICE REVOLVER Six shots; 5½ inch
barrel; weight, 2 lbs., 8 oz.; .45 cal.]
[Illustration: Fig. 5.--SMITH & WESSON RUSSIAN MODEL REVOLVER Six shots;
6½ inch barrel; weight, 39¼ oz.; .44 cal.]
[Illustration: Fig. 6.--COLT SINGLE ACTION REVOLVER Six shots; 5½ inch
barrel; weight, 2 lbs. 6 oz.; .45 cal.]
[Illustration: Fig. 7.--WEBLEY & SCOTT “W. S.” MODEL REVOLVER Six shots;
7½ inch barrel; weight, 2 lbs., 7 oz.; .455 cal.]
[Illustration: Fig. 8.--WEBLEY & FOSBURY AUTOMATIC REVOLVER. Six shots; 6
inch barrel; weight, 2 lbs., 10 oz.; .455 cal.]
[Illustration: Fig. 9.--COLT AUTOMATIC PISTOL. Seven shots; 5 inch barrel;
weight, 2 lbs. 7 oz.; .45 cal.]
The most accurate arms available at the present time are the single-shot
pistols manufactured by Smith & Wesson, Springfield, Mass., The J. Stevens
Arms & Tool Co., Chicopee Falls, Mass.; Fred Adolph, Genoa, N. Y. These
pistols are furnished in calibers from .22 rim-fire to .38 central-fire.
The barrels are generally 10 inches in length and the trigger pull 2
pounds. In the latest approved form these pistols are of .22 caliber
specially bored and chambered for the rim-fire, .22 caliber long rifle
cartridge. This is a light, clean, pleasant shooting charge, and may be
fired many times with very little fatigue. Pistol shooting with arms of
this caliber is rapidly becoming a popular pastime for ladies as well as
gentlemen.
The Smith & Wesson pistol has a tip-up action and an automatic extractor.
It is made of the best materials and with the greatest care. The fitting
and workmanship are superior to that of any other machine-made pistol. The
action is similar to that of the Russian Model revolver. (See Fig. 13,
facing p. 30.)
The Stevens pistols were formerly furnished in three models and for many
years they have enjoyed merited popularity for target shooting among the
leading marksmen. This pistol is now supplied only in the No. 35 or
“Offhand Target Model,” which like the earlier models has a tip-up action
and an automatic extractor. A small knob on the left side is pressed to
release the barrel and operate the action. (See Fig. 14, facing p. 30.)
The Remington pistol has an exceedingly strong action, and is the only
machine-made pistol with an action adapted for regulation .44, .45, and
.50 caliber cartridges. It has a large handle and a heavy barrel. The
action is operated when the hammer is at full-cock by throwing back the
breech-block with the thumb, simultaneously ejecting the empty shell.
Unfortunately the manufacture of these weapons has recently been
discontinued. (See Fig. 15, facing p. 30.)
The Adolph-Weber pistol designed by M. Casimir Weber, of Zurich,
Switzerland, is a high grade hand-made arm that can be supplied by Mr.
Fred Adolph in accordance with any specifications that the marksman may
desire. Fig. 16 illustrates it conforming to the rules and regulations of
the U. S. Revolver Association. It has a strong, durable, tip-up action
resembling in principle that of the Stevens, and when closed the barrel is
securely locked in position by a cross bolt, actuated by a button on the
left side. (See Fig. 16, facing p. 32.)
[Illustration: Fig. 10.--THE PARABELLUM OR “LUGER” AUTOMATIC PISTOL Eight
shots; 4⅝ inch barrel; weight, 1 lb., 13.4 oz.; .30 cal.]
[Illustration: Fig. 11.--WEBLEY & SCOTT AUTOMATIC PISTOL Eight shots; 5
inch barrel; weight, 2 lbs., 7½ oz.; .455 cal.]
[Illustration: Fig. 12.--MAUSER AUTOMATIC PISTOL Ten shots; 5½ inch
barrel; weight, 2 lbs., 7½ oz.; .30 cal.]
The Adolph-Martini is a weapon _de luxe_ that has been produced in the
same manner as the Adolph-Weber, in which the action of the Martini rifle
has been employed. It has double set triggers and is highly ornate.
The Adolph “H. V.” is a .22 caliber pistol adapted for a special high
velocity cartridge developing a muzzle velocity of 2,000 ft. per second
and an energy of 623 foot-pounds.
With good ammunition all these pistols are capable of placing ten shots
within a 2-inch circle at 50 yards.
A very accurate pistol for gallery and short-range shooting is made by M.
Gastinne-Renette of Paris and used in his gallery in that city. These are
muzzle-loading and are very tedious and inconvenient to manipulate. For
this reason they have not become popular. A few of these arms have been
made up as breech-loaders, with a tip-up action similar to the Stevens,
but operated by a side lever under the hammer and chambered for the .44
Russian cartridge. In this form with gallery charges the pistol has given
very good results. (See Fig. 17, facing p. 32.)
The revolver is not quite as accurate as the pistol, on account of the
necessity of having the cylinder detached from the barrel. If the pin on
which the cylinder revolves is not at right angles with the end of the
cylinder, there will be more space between the cylinder and the breech
end of the barrel in some positions of the cylinder than in others. The
result will be varying amounts of gas escaping from the different chambers
of the cylinder, and consequently irregular shooting. The accuracy of the
revolver depends largely, too, upon the degree of perfection in which all
the chambers of the cylinder align with the bore of the barrel at the
instant of discharge. When the chambers do not align perfectly, the bullet
enters the barrel eccentrically and a portion of it is shaved off. This is
fatal to accuracy, especially when smokeless powder is used. Imperfect
alignment of chamber and barrel is also a frequent cause of the “leading”
of the barrel. Some very ingenious mechanical expedients are used in the
best revolvers to reduce to a minimum the wear of those parts which
operate and hold the cylinder in position.
The revolvers generally used for target shooting are the military arms
already described, with longer barrels, chambered for special cartridges,
fitted with target sights, special handles, and other modifications to
suit the whims and tastes of individuals.
Some of these modifications are distinctly advantageous. One of the most
recent fads is to skeletonize the hammer by boring away as much metal
as possible and to increase the tension of the main spring. The combined
effect is almost instant response to the trigger pull.
[Illustration: Fig. 13.--SMITH & WESSON PISTOL Ten-inch barrel; weight, 1
lb., 8¾ oz., .22 cal.]
[Illustration: Fig. 14--STEVENS PISTOL, GOULD MODEL Ten-inch barrel;
weight, 1 lb., 10 oz.; .22 cal.]
[Illustration: Fig. 15.--REMINGTON PISTOL Ten-inch barrel, weight, 2 lbs.,
8 oz.; .44 cal.]
The best and most experienced shots are careful to keep the modifications
of all their arms within the rules and regulations of the various national
organizations,[5] in order that they may be used in the annual
competitions and other important events. These organizations control the
pistol and revolver shooting, and conduct annual competitions. “Freak”
arms which do not comply with the rules are not allowed in the
competitions, are seldom practical, and have little or no value other than
for experimental purposes. Target arms are generally used for trick and
exhibition shooting.[6]
_Pocket Arms._--The most extensive use of the revolver as a pocket weapon
is for police service. Special arms are manufactured to meet the
requirements. These weapons are generally similar to the military
revolvers, but smaller in size and adapted for lighter charges. All
projections, such as sights, hammer, etc., must be eliminated or minimized
so as not to catch in drawing the arm from the pocket or holster. The
barrels are usually from 3 to 5 inches in length, the trigger pull 4
pounds and the caliber .22 to .38. The larger calibers are much preferable
for the general purposes of an arm of this character. The difference in
weight is slight, while the power and effectiveness of the large calibers
is important and a great advantage.
The pocket arms shown in Figs. 18 and 19 are practically reduced sizes of
the military arms shown in Figs. 1 and 2. They have solid frames and
actions identical with those of the military arms. The Smith & Wesson is
made only in .32 caliber but the Colt may be had in .32 or .38. Both are
double action.
The Colt Police Special is similar in model to Fig. 18 but is slightly
larger and heavier and can be had chambered for the powerful .38 caliber
Special, or the .32 caliber Winchester cartridges.
The Smith & Wesson Double Action, Perfected, is an improved model of this
popular pocket weapon, having a double locking action. (See Fig. 20,
facing p. 34.)
[Illustration: Fig. 16--ADOLPH WEBER PISTOL Ten-inch barrel; weight, 2
lbs. 2 oz.; .22 cal.]
[Illustration: Fig. 17--GASTINNE-RENETTE PISTOL 10-3/16 inch barrel;
weight, 2 lbs. 6 oz.; .44 cal.]
[Illustration: Fig. 17a--COLT AUTOMATIC TARGET PISTOL Ten shots; 6½
inch barrel; weight, 28 oz.; .22 cal.]
[Illustration: Fig. 18--COLT POLICE POSITIVE REVOLVER Six shots; 4 inch
barrel; weight, 1 lb., 4 oz.; .32 cal.]
One of the most popular pocket revolvers is the Smith & Wesson Safety
Hammerless. This arm has a safety latch in the back of the handle, so
designed that unless the piece is properly held it is impossible to
operate it. It has many valuable and desirable features to commend it as a
practical pocket weapon and for home protection. The standard length of
barrel is 4 inches. This arm is also furnished in .32 caliber. (See Fig.
21, facing p. 34.)
With 4-inch barrels, the foregoing pocket weapons are capable of shooting
regularly within a 2-inch circle at 20 yards.
A heavier and correspondingly more powerful Pocket revolver is the Colt
“Double Action” revolver. This arm is chambered for the Colt .41 caliber
short and long cartridges. It has a solid frame, and is operated exactly
like the Colt Single Action Army Model (Fig 6). It is compact, strong,
durable, and accurate.
For many years there was no high grade .22 caliber revolver on the market.
Within the last few years two excellent arms in this caliber have been
produced. The Smith & Wesson is supplied chambered only for the S. & W.
long cartridges, but in two lengths of barrels; 3 inches with fixed sights
and 6 inches with target sights. The Colt is furnished only in one length
of barrel, 6 inches, but chambered for any of the rim-fire cartridges,
and the .32 caliber short and long Colt, central-fire cartridges. These
arms with 6-inch barrels are extremely accurate, pleasant to shoot on
account of the light recoil and the ammunition is inexpensive. They are
well adapted for target shooting for ladies and excellent for small game
shooting. (See Figs. 22 and 23.)
A very handy little arm to carry in the pocket on hunting and fishing
trips is the Stevens Diamond Model single-shot pistol. It is light in
weight, very accurate, and low in cost. (See Fig. 24, facing p. 36.)
All these .22 caliber arms can be depended on to kill grouse, ducks,
rabbits, and other small game. The hollow-pointed bullet ammunition should
be used, or the regular cartridge, with the front of the bullet cut off
square, so as to leave a flat point. This will increase the killing effect
of the bullet considerably.
Magazine pistols of smaller size than the military arms have in recent
years become popular as pocket weapons. Such types as have safety devices
to prevent discharge when the arm is not properly held for firing, are
well adapted for this purpose.
The Colt Pocket Models are made in .38 caliber and .32 caliber as shown in
Fig. 25, and in .25 caliber as illustrated in Fig. 26 (facing pp. 36
and 38.)
[Illustration: Fig. 19--SMITH & WESSON HAND EJECTOR REVOLVER Six shots;
4½ inch barrel; weight, 18½ oz.; .32 cal.]
[Illustration: Fig. 20.--SMITH & WESSON DOUBLE ACTION PERFECTED REVOLVER
Five shots; 4 inch barrel; weight, 17¼ oz.; .38 cal.]
[Illustration: Fig. 21.--SMITH & WESSON SAFETY HAMMERLESS REVOLVER Five
shots; 4 inch barrel; weight, 1 lb., 1¼ oz.; .38 cal.]
[Illustration: Fig. 22.--SMITH & WESSON POCKET REVOLVER Seven shots; 3½
inch barrel; weight, 10 oz.; .22 cal.]
The Savage Pocket Model is made in .38 and .32 caliber using the same
cartridge as the Colt. It has an automatic indicator showing when the arm
is loaded. A recent improvement in this arm is a spur cocking lever which
permits cocking with the thumb of the hand holding the weapon. (See Fig.
27, facing p. 38.)
The Smith & Wesson automatic is furnished only in .35 caliber. It has a
wood stock backed by steel plates. The automatic safety in this arm is
located in front of the trigger guard and is operated by the second
finger. (See Fig. 28, facing p. 38.)
As in the case of pocket revolvers, the larger calibers of the pocket
automatic pistols will be found to have better stopping power and as
practical weapons for use in case of emergency are to be preferred to the
smaller calibers.
Persons who have very limited use for a weapon as for home protection and
occasional pocket use, especially when they do not expect to practice
shooting with it regularly will find a suitable revolver much more
serviceable, safer, and generally more satisfactory than a magazine
pistol. The latter on account of its more complicated and concealed
mechanism is liable to be left in an unserviceable condition for safety in
the home (unloaded, magazines misplaced, etc.) and when needed,
unfamiliarity with its manipulation not only causes delay in getting it in
action but also is a fruitful source of accident. For the purpose referred
to in this paragraph a .38 caliber Smith & Wesson Safety Hammerless, a .38
or .32 caliber Colt Police Positive, or a .32 caliber Smith & Wesson Hand
Ejector with a 4-inch barrel and a 4-pound trigger pull in each case is
recommended. Owners of such weapons for home or personal protection should
practice with them occasionally, firing at least 20 or 25 shots. A good
range for such practice is 20 to 30 feet. After using the arm it should in
all cases be carefully cleaned and oiled as described under “Cleaning and
Care of Arms.”
[Illustration: Fig. 23--COLT POLICE POSITIVE TARGET REVOLVER Seven shots;
6 inch barrel; weight, 1 lb., 6 oz.; .22 and .32 cal.]
[Illustration: Fig. 24.--STEVENS DIAMOND MODEL PISTOL Six inch barrel;
weight, 8¾ oz.; .22 cal.]
[Illustration: Fig. 25.--COLT AUTOMATIC POCKET PISTOL Eight shots; 3¾
inch barrel; weight, 1 lb., 7 oz.; .32 and .38 cal.]