Writer needs Research Help!
Hi there! I'm a totally gun-illiterate author and I'm working on a murder mystery series. I have a couple of characters that are pretty clueless (like myself<g>) about guns that are starting a Private Investigation business. They go into a gun shop looking for something for personal protection. Anyone want to give me some ideas what sort of guns they might look at? They are both women, if that makes any difference. (Any good `girly' guns out there?) I so very much appreciate any help you can give!
Gemma
www.gemmahalliday.com
Gemma
www.gemmahalliday.com
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May I suggest that you find a gun range near you and actually shoot a couple different revolvers/pistols ? Nothing like the personal touch to add meat to your prose...[:D]
Kel-Tec semi auto's are a current hot item...380 caliber, or perhaps .32...http://www.kel-tec.com/p3at_pistol.htm0 -
Thanks so mcuh - I'll check that one out. 
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Since ALL Girlies[:X] like James Bond[:0], why not outfit them with a Walther PPK 7.65mm[8D]
Bert H.
Real Men use a WINCHESTER Single-Shot!0 -
Perhaps you prefer the Bond touch....AKA as the PPK...
http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/5727/guns.html?20053
One more suggestion, if I may....take this subject over to General Discussion.
There are many wolves thereabouts willing to absolutely flood anyone with information calling themselves "Girlygirl"...
After ten hits, they will lock this thread to replies...and you perhaps need more information then ten replies ....[:)]0 -
oh, thanks for the suggestions! [:D] I will take it over to general discussion. (Sorry if I posted in the wrong place.) 0 -
I think they would definitely look into some sort of snub nose .38 special (small revolver) to carry around. They are easy to learn to shoot and you don't run into the complications of some of the semi-automatic handguns out there.
A. Golden
S&W .357 mag
S&W SW99 9mm
Desert Eagle .50AE
Springfield 1911 .45ACP
Kimber Ultra Carry II
Remington 11-87
Winchester 1892 44-40
Always looking for more!0 -
Dear GilryGirl:
Congratulations on beginning your novel and taking the time to do some research. I can't begin to tell you the number of books that have "gun problems" because the authors didn't do their homework. There are a few girlygirl guns out there that they might consider and each has a valid rational for being selected by your character.
First, consider the Lady Smith by Smith & Wesson. There were at least two models of Lady Smiths. One was a little larger than the other. Each had nice rosewood grips but I think there were options such as a laser engraved rose and simulated mother-of-pearl grips. Now, the reason for selecting a revolver over a semi-auto is that the spent cases aren't thrown all over as you fire the weapon. They all stay in the cylinder. This makes it a little easier to explain things to the police and there are no empty cases laying around to incriminate anyone. When the police arrive on a shooting scene they take out their little pieces of chalk and outline the body and all the empty cases. Then a nice police person comes along and asks the shooter where she/he was standing for the first shot, etc. Then she/he explains that another person may come along and ask similar questions in a little while, but it's just routine. Well, this is all part of a routine all right, a routine to see if the shooter keeps his/her story straight. Without the empty cases laying around, it simply easier to keep everything straight.
Second, consider a semi-auto with a tip-up barrel. These models won't have the advantage of retaining the spent cases, but the tip up barrel allows the user to put a round in the chamber, then snap the barrel shut and simply pull the trigger to start shooting. With other semi-auto hand guns the user has to pull back the slide to put a round in the chamber. This is a serious problem for anyone with a weak grip, not much strength, and/or injured hands. The downside is that the caliber is limited. There are models by Beretta and Taurus in .22 caliber - sometimes referred to as "mouse guns" and Beretta made one in .32 caliber and .380 caliber (also known as 9mm kurz) but again, these are fairly small calibers and don't really have the kind of stopping power than a Lady Smith in .357 magnum would have.
Third, consider a derringer of some sort. There are lots of old ones out there that could give your character some panache and even a few new ones such as those made by American Derringer (a company owned and operated by a female, I believe). They are generally limited to 2 shots, but if your character is a good shot and watches what kind of trouble she gets into, then 2 shots simply means she has one extra one! There was an old Sharps model derringer in .22 and .32 rimfire that had four barrels that could provide quite a story in itself for your character, perhaps inheriting it from a great-great grandmother of notorious repute.
Fourth, I forgot that there was a semi-auto version of the Lady Smith. It would be another one to consider, but it would toss out the empties for the police or whomever to poke into and perhaps cause a problem.
I hope these have been some help. If you want to talk some more, or your near Cincinnati, Ohio, and want to go out and shoot these, please don't hesitate to contact me. With the best wishes, I am, sincerely yours -- Steve0 -
I was looking at one of these for my daughter. She likes the S&W revolvers and shoots them very well.
quote:
Just bought a NIB Lady Smith 357 / 38 for my sweetheart and (since this is my first Smith & Wesson) thought I'd inquire with you folks as to what you thought of this particular model?
Sssssshhhhhhhhhh! Don't say anything as I haven't given it to her, yet! :laugh:
http://www.firearms.smith-wesson.co...lquility_384564
Seriously, the M60 Lady Smith has a glass beaded stainless finish, Combat Dymondwood rose grips, and a smooth target trigger / semi-target hammer. Barrel length is 2 1/8" and weight is 21.5-oz's.
http://www.firearms.smith-wesson.co...&sw_activeTab=1
CDNN has a sale on this 5-shot revolver that retails for $621 (according to S&W) and I felt fortunate to buy 1 of the 7 they have for only $399.
I copied this from another site for you and you should be able to get all the information you need from it. She also really likes her younger brother's Sig 239 semi-auto in .40 cal. S & W. It hits fairly hard, but has modest recoil and works well in smaller hands.
"Tax evasion is illegal; tax avoidance is an art form"0 -
PERFECT !! Thank you so much, this is just the type of info I needed. Thanks again![:D] 0 -
I would go with the "lady smith" by smith and wesson (the semi-automatic 9mm version with grey rubber grips in stainless finish model #3913LS) I find that to be almost perfect for small hands and looks sexy to. Also,..the Sig Sauer P232 and the walther PPK as well as a few small framed revolvers from smith and wesson and colt.
However,..my wife shoots my full size Beretta model 92fs very well and ditto for the 357magnum ruger, so not all women need little "girlie guns" either.
why chase the game when the bullet can get em from here?....
Got Balistics?0 -
Well, if one of the partners is high-tech and flashy, going for the latest gadgetry, the other might be a little more down-to-earth and take the advice of an old police/military veteran she just happens to be kin to, or know so she would end up with a Springfield 1911A1
.45 auto for open carry (she's no wuss, after all) and would always have a Smith&Wesson Model 19 the old guy gave her hidden on her person. Because it's what the weapons can be depended on to do, not what gender the operator is.
Here's link to the Springfield and a picture of the 19:
http://www.springfield-armory.com/prod-pstl-1911-ch.shtml
Frog.
RiBBButt...You can't rollerskate in a buffalo herd, but you can be happy if you've a mind to. -Roger Miller0 -
Try one of the short barrel'd ones at the bottom.
PJ
If nobody seen you do it, how could you have done it. NRA PATRON-LIFE Member, AF&AM, Shriner Life Member, A.B.A.T.E. of Illinois "Chicago Chapter" Founding Member & Board Member0 -
A Colt "Detective Special" might have the right ring to it for a novel.
6 shot .38 Special, small frame revolver.
Semper Fi
Remember Ruby Ridge.
What if there were no hypothetical questions?
Check out what I've got on the block!0 -
Head north on 880 to Milpitas. Target Master's is right behind the Milpitas PD station. Rental guns and indoor range. Lunch time is 'happy hour' - half price gun rental and range fee. One hour will cost you $10 and a box of ammo. They have a good selection of display guns, antiques and PD only. They are on the web and instruction classes on Monday evening. 0 -
I would think a small .38 revolver would probably be a rather reasonable suggestion. I would second the idea of the Ladysmith revolvers
Love them Beavers
Keeping the "Hairy League" in check since 19480 -
Or perhaps a Soviet PM pistol (aka Makarov)? Potent little handguns with a legendary reputation for reliability and a long history of use by the KGB. This one is a Arsenal Special Edition from Bulgaria and the Russian version is similar.
The Bulgarian PM
The Russian PM
Here's Czech CZ70
Maybe a MAC11 for one of the meaner girls?[:o)]
Or a MAC12
Or the Czech CZ52 which was notorious for its penetration capabilities
Perhaps a Glock handgun which is a common pistol in law enforcement circles and is dishwasher-safe (really)
You might also check out http://www.securityarms.com for a lot of pics and info
Love them Beavers
Keeping the "Hairy League" in check since 19480 -
What era is your book being placed in what previous experance do they have? That may have an effect on what your characters would be choosing. I would understand .38' and revolvers in the past era's.
But for an example I have a sister that's a currently a treasury agent and was trained with a 9mm Sig 228 (semiautomatic pistol) and the agency has just convirted all agents to a Glock .40 cal. They were given a choice between the compact model 23 of the full sized model 22. If your subjects are Modern times ex Law Enforcement officers they may trend towards larger caliber pistols.0
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