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
Pistols
Tips for writing about pistols in fiction.
Writing Fiction: Handguns for Criminal Characters
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
Best Handguns for Detectives in Fiction
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
Smith & Wesson Model 52: An Unusual Pick for a Character’s Pistol
- 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.
What Are Smart Guns?
Smart guns use a variety of tech to prevent unintentional use. This German-made Armatix iP1 will only fire if its accompanying watch is within range. The semi-auto pistol itself holds 10 rounds of .22 caliber ammunition. (Armatix photo)
TLDR: Smart guns use emerging technology to limit their use to pre-approved people and/or places. Feel free to explore them in fiction, but don’t expect to see them in reality all that much.
The Writer's Guide to Weapons 