You’ll find the .38 caliber comes up quite a bit when researching +P ammunition. (Image via Midway USA)
TLDR: A higher velocity version of a cartridge useful for self-defense.
Following up from a previous post about magnum ammunition, I thought it’d be a good idea to explain +P ammo. This type of ammunition is similar, but not quite identical to, the magnum concept. This post is going to get technical, but bear with me. There’s a good reason to know about +P for writing fiction.
It can be challenging to spot a magnum version of a cartridge just by looking at it. (Shutterstock photo)
TLDR: Magnum ammunition comes with extra propellant (gunpowder) and/or a more generous projectile.
Unlike other firearm terminology, “magnum ammunition” is both specific and vague. This can cause some confusion when you need to give a character a firearm with some extra oomph.
“Oomph” in this case is measured against Tom Selleck’s righteous mustache. (Image via Amazon)
It’s specific because a “magnum” cartridge will contain more propellant (aka gunpowder) and/or a more generous projectile (aka bullet) than a standard cartridge.
However, it’s vague because that increase in oomph isn’t set in stone. It’s up to the manufacturer to determine what qualifies as magnum and what does not.
TLDR: Two metal balls + wire + shotgun x crazy = bolo ammunition
If you’re looking to change things up a bit with your character’s shotgun setup, you might try assigning him/her bolo ammunition. It’s buckshot’s rough and tumble cousin who’s on parole but can’t say no to a bar fight.
Just like your other resolutions, expect this list to be recycled at this time next year. (Photo by Shondra Hull via sxc.hu)
It seems everyone and their brother has a list of resolutions for the new year. I’m no exception. Here are seven resolutions for writing weapons in fiction. I hope this year was good to you, and that there is plenty to look forward to in 2016.
Does anyone use pens like this one anymore? I don’t know, but they make for nice photos, eh? (Wojtek Wolañski photo via sxc.hu)
The analytics running behind the scenes here at The Writer’s Guide to Weapons offer interesting insights into the depraved minds creative undertakings the writerfolk pursue when researching guns and knives for writing fiction. Here’s a review of 2015’s traffic. Continue reading
The Writer's Guide to Weapons 