The Complete Encyclopedia of Pistols and Revolvers

The development of handguns

he development of firearms is related to the

hand cannon were designed at the start of the fifteenth

discovery of gunpowder as the propellant for

century. These were short iron or bronze tubes

projectiles. It is known that the Chinese were already

mounted on a long wooden post. The black powder

using gunpowder for their fireworks in the eleventh

was loaded through the muzzle. Then a stone or iron

century. Their knowledge of its composition probably

projectile was pushed into the primitive barrel

T

came to Europe via Arab trading routes. Another view

through this muzzle. There was a small hole at the end

is that the well-known explorer Marco Polo brought

of the tube, the so-called touch-hole. The powder was

gunpowder back from China. From 1271 to 1292, he

then ignited with a glowing chip of wood. When the

traveled on a trading mission from Venice to China

charge was ignited, the pressure of the gas that was

and back. A third theory is that gunpowder was

created propelled the projectile forward. It propelled

developed in Europe itself. In this respect, one of the

the projectile in a fairly arbitrary way because the

people credited with its discovery is the German

production process was not very precise in those days.

monk, Berthold Schwarz, from Freiburg. In German,

In modern firearms, the precision is to a 100th of

the

name

a millimeter, but in those days an inch more or less was

Schwarzpulver (meaning 'black powder'). The usual

not considered important. Up to the nineteenth

composition is 75% saltpeter, 15% sulfur and 10%

century it was quite usual for only one in twenty shots

gunpowder

was

therefore

given

the

charcoal. The sulfur is responsible for the smell of the

to hit the target. Shooting was above all a matter of

black powder when the weapon is fired. In the

goodwill, combined with a big dose of luck.

fourteenth century it was discovered that it could be

Halfway through the fifteenth century the first

used for other things than fireworks; it was also

real cannon and mortar appeared. They were mainly

suitable as a propellant for projectiles. The first simple

used for laying siege to cities, forts and castles. The

Hand-colored etching of Medieval mortars

6

Copper engraving of a siege from 1500

Foreword

In this reference work, I would like to provide anyone who wants to know more about revolvers and pistols with the correct and most recent information about these handguns. The short introductory chapter on the development of firearms is followed by a description of the various makes and models, arranged alphabetically under each arms manufacturer. An outline of the development is given of each weapon, followed by all the relevant technical information. This is further clarified with color photographs and illustrations. The most common makes and models are included in this book, and the latest developments and new product releases are also described in detail. For example, there is a description of the new Chiappa Rhino revolvers. This pistol was introduced in 2011 in three different barrel lengths. Other examples of recent developments include the remake of the 1911 �A1 from Remington and the latest models of Smith & Wesson in 2011. At the end of this enc)·clopedia )'OU will find a very detailed and illustrated glossary of terms. This gives a clear

dejininon of all the technical terms which are used in the book. I greatly enjoyed writing ·

nd I hope char che reader will enjoy it every bit as much.

5

•

Contents The Pistol 4 The Revolver 176 Rifles and Longarms 189 Sporting and Combat Shotguns 384 Machine Guns 480 Submachine Guns 498 Acknowledgements 512

An A-Z of pistols and revolvers

AGNER

AMT AMT stands for Arcadia Machine & Tools Inc. The company has gone through a turbulent period. Initially, AMT was established in Covina, California. It became famous with the AutoMag pistol in .44 AutoMag and .357 AutoMag. In 1989, the factory moved and changed its name to !AI: Irwindale Arms Incorporated.

Agner M80

New models were given the name !AI, though the old

.22 caliber match pistol

In 1983 the Danish

models continued to be called AMT. A few years ago,

firm

the company got into difficulties. After a new start,

Saxhoj

introduced

Products

the

compe­

tition Agner M80. This was

designed

Danish Bent

sport Agner.

by

the

shooter, The

single-action

weapon is made of Swedish stainless steel. It has

production

under

the

name

Galena

The company is still located in

Irwindale, California. In the period 1965-1969, the American designer Harry W. Sanford designed a large heavy pistol. It had a completely new caliber: .44 AMP, the abbreviation for AutoMag Pistol. He marketed this

a number of curious characteristics. The safety catch

pistol in 1969 under the name AutoMag. The auto

is actually a small key which has to be placed in

loader has a rotating bolt with six locking cams. The

a hole on the left of the weapon. The key can be

locking system is similar to that of the Colt M16 Rifle.

pressed in, and then works as a magazine catch. In

Sanford's small gun shop was extended to become the

addition, the key can be turned from Safe to Fire. The

AutoMag Corporation (AMC). Special ammunition

trigger is completely adjustable and this not only

made for the AutoMag was manufactured by a Mexican

applies for the trigger pressure, but also for the trigger

subsidiary of Remington, the Cartouches Deportivos de

pull, the trigger stop, and even the position of the trigger. The walnut grips of the weapon have an adjustable hand rest. Obviously, it also has an accurately adjustable micrometer sight. The total length of this 10-shor match pistol is 257 mm (10 in), and the barrel length is 150 mm (6 in). The sight radius (the distance between the rear sight and the front of the bead is 220 mm (8';4 in). The pistol weighs 1120 g (39Yz oz). The Agner M80 was produced up to approximately 1991.

AMT logo

IO

continued

Industries Inc.

A comprehensive explanatory glossary

ACP: The usual abbreviation for 'Automatic Colt Pistol' for particular calibers of ammunition. Examples of this are

.25 ACP (6.35 mm), .32 ACP (7.65 mm), .380 ATP (9 mm Short) and .45 ACP. ACP is short for Automatic Colt Pistol

393