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
