(no subject)

[apocalypsos]

I know nothing about guns. Seriously, absolutely nothing. So someone help me out, and talk to me like an imbecile when you answer. How many shots can you take with a shotgun before you have to reload? And how do you shoot one, step by step, from loading it to pulling the trigger? Are there even any steps in between?

Sheesh. If this weren't the only time I plan to have anybody in this story fire a gun, I wouldn't even put it in. Not knowing about this stuff and trying to write it is too hard. *grumbles*

EDIT: Well, now I know who to go to for gun questions. Now all I have to do is find someone to go to for axe and tomahawk questions. :)

Comments

[harmonyfb.livejournal.com]

What kind of shotgun? What's it being used for, and who is using it? Makes a difference.

[nycdeb.livejournal.com]

there's an excellent book called "Armed and Dangerous: A Writer's guide to Weapons" from the Howdunit series. Has information on various types of shotguns. What kind are you looking for details on? Maybe it's in there and I can look it up for you?

[mckenzee.livejournal.com]

Try http://www.shotgunworld.com and click on the howto links.

Some are multiple shot, but usually you get a singleshot (two from a double barrel, which is literally two shotguns side by side with one handle).

You "break" the breech (open the back, bending the handle down from the barrel), insert a shell, close the breech (if done one-handed, this is sometimes refered to as snapping it, especially in Westerns), turn off the safety (push a button), aim and squeeze the trigger.

It will feel like a donkey kicked you in the shoulder. The tighter you hold it, the better you absorb the recoil. Those guys who fire a shotgun onehanded, holding it away from thier bodies would break thier wrist trying that in real life.

That help?

Also, check this out: http://www.livejournal.com/users/sin_bed_comix/1311.html

[wiredwizard.livejournal.com]

First major question is what kind of shotgun is it? Single barrel, double barrel, clip loaded, or even something like an Atchisson Assault Shotgun which you can fit with a 50 round drum clip?

[amand-r.livejournal.com]

A shotgun would most certainly be able to shoot out the tires of a pick up truck, granted you are using the buckshot ans not the bird shot, and granted it is a pick up and not a construction heavy duty truck. Actually, the husband wanted me to tell you that using a shotgun to take a tire out would probably be easier than a regular gun, since it fires a spray. He also says that the Remington A70 is the "most ubiquitous shotgun in the US." I suppose you could use the instructions above on how to fire it. Since I'm not a gun person either, my advice is to remember that a. shotguns do have barrels beyond the nifty stock/grip, and b. you can saw that barrel off, but if you take off too much it's illegal.

Also, it's easier in the US to get a shotgun, because you just need to be 18.

[vivian-shaw.livejournal.com]

I'm not up on my tomahawk research, but I am very conversant with blunt-force and axe-wound trauma.

[wenchamok.livejournal.com]

It looks like you got your question answered, but I'll throw in my Coke change as well.

Different types of shotguns have different ways to reload. The one I use (that belongs to Mom) is a Benelli and has the barrels stacked vertically. To load, I have to slide one shell in the bottom chamber, then put a second shell in the upper chamber and push a little button that slides it completely in place. When fired, the shells kick out the side, so when you reload, all you have to do is shove in new shells. For someone very familiar with the weapon and the shells in a convenient place (as in a pocket) it would take maybe 7 seconds to reload. Also, the shotgun actually could hold four or five shells, but the rest of the chambers are plugged (federal law and all that crap).

Hon, if you want detailed answers and full explanations, e-mail me. My dad used to be a firearms dealer. He's been hunting and shooting for 53 years now. He knows his stuff. (I would kill to see what his FBI file looks like....between the firearms dealing and working as a petroleum chemist, I know he just *HAS* to have one).

[jrosestar.livejournal.com]

I know a bit about axes...depends on what you want to know.

And I seem to remember that someone on my flist was a collector of tomahawks. I can't remember who though. If you want, I'll post an entry for you in my LJ. Just let me know.