Handguns

Tips for writing handguns in fiction.

.25 Caliber Handguns: Avoid at All Costs?

/ Ben / 52 Comments
This is a Raven Arms P25 MP25, a good example of a .25 caliber handgun. But is it a bad example of a handgun for writing fiction? (Image via Wikimedia, public domain)

This is a Raven Arms P25 MP25, a good example of a .25 caliber handgun. But is it a bad example of a handgun for writing fiction? (Image via Wikimedia, public domain)

TLDR: If you can help it, a character might be better off with a handgun with more bite than a .25 caliber.

Last week’s post about the .25 caliber “lady’s gun” used by James Bond kicked off some interesting feedback from followers of this blog. Some agreed with my take that the ability to be accurate matters more than firepower (a perennial debate in the gun world, too). Others felt .25 caliber handguns are flat out a bad option despite how easy they are to shoot.

Characters in fiction can get away with plenty those in the real world can’t, so neither POV is completely right or wrong. It’s up to writers to make the final call.

Still, I feel like I didn’t give enough time in that post to why it might be a bad idea to go with a .25 caliber, especially since there’s plenty of anecdotal evidence. Continue reading →

Taurus Curve: The Hot New Handgun on the Block for Fiction

/ Ben / 3 Comments

Like any other industry, the firearms market is subject to fads and flavors of the month, especially when it comes to handguns. The hype machine bit me good for the latest hot model on the block, the Taurus Curve. I think it’s worth noting for fiction writers, because it’s a fresh take on many of the features characters need in a handgun. Continue reading →

Writing Fiction: Handguns for Criminal Characters

/ Ben / 6 Comments

This is the second of two posts from “Adam,” an active duty law enforcement detective in California. Adam offers writers advice about depicting police work on his Writer’s Detective website and Twitter handle. You may want to read Adam’s first post about handguns for detective characters here.

Enjoy!

~Ben

Continue reading →

Best Handguns for Detectives in Fiction

/ Ben / 17 Comments

It’s my pleasure to host the first of two posts from “Adam” of Writer’s Detective. He’s an active law enforcement detective in California, hence the quotation marks. When he’s not on duty, Adam offers advice to writers about police work on his website and Twitter handle.

He graciously accepted my invitation to talk about the handguns he uses. Watch for an upcoming post on the firearms criminals use. I think you’ll enjoy them both.

~Ben

Continue reading →

Smith & Wesson Model 52: An Unusual Pick for a Character’s Pistol

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  • Type: Semi-automatic pistol
  • Caliber: .38
  • Ammunition capacity: 5 in a detachable magazine (not clip)
  • Year introduced: 1961
  • Effective range: 25 yards (greater for more experienced shooters)

Harold Courtright picked up a copy of The Writer’s Guide to Weapons and recently wrote to me about the Smith & Wesson Model 52 he selected for a character. This semi-automatic pistol sports a couple features that make it stand out from run-of-the-mill choices that typically pop up in fiction. I figured I’d highlight them here.

Continue reading →