Differences between pistol actions?

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mistahmojoryan

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I just applied for my restricted so I'm starting to look into pistols. Right now I don't know anything about them except what looks good...I have no idea how the internals work, or more importantly, the differences between the internals (of say a Glock and a 1911 and a Beretta).

Anyone know where I can read up on this (books, websites)? Thanks!
 
I think for the RPAL test you only need to be concerned with the basics.
Revolver vs. Semi-Automatic. How to safely handle each and verify that they are unloaded, etc.

The test won't be getting more technical than that.
 
AFAIK, I don't have to take any exams since I took the Firearms Safety and Hunter Ed courses in '87 and again in '97 (I could be wrong about that though).

Anyway, I just want to learn about them for interests sake. Something like Frank de Haas' "Bolt Action Rifles" but for pistols would be great. :)
 
mistahmojoryan said:
AFAIK, I don't have to take any exams since I took the Firearms Safety and Hunter Ed courses in '87 and again in '97 (I could be wrong about that though).
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You can get your PAL with past Hunters safety courses etc., but I'm pretty sure you have to take the restricted course and write the exam or challenge the exam and get at least 80%.
 
target said:
You can get your PAL with past Hunters safety courses etc., but I'm pretty sure you have to take the restricted course and write the exam or challenge the exam and get at least 80%.
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Thanks, that's good to know. I'm not worrying about the details of everything I have to do...just taking it one step at a time and I don't foresee any problems.
 
The testing in SK is the same as what happens elsewhere in Canada, the Fed's run it.

Therefore all the questions on the restricted exam, and any safe handling practical drills the examiner puts you through are all outlined in the Canadian Restricted Firearm Safety Course student handbook.

Read and study from it and you'll have no problems getting through it.
 
Almost all modern Semi-auto’s work on the same basic principles designed by John Browning. The exceptions I am aware of are the Berretta Cougars with rotating barrel and the Chinese M77 series. The Glocks, XD and some of the other polymer guns use a striker firing pin rather than the traditional hammer and firing pin arrangement found on the 1991, BHP, SIG etc.
 
Big JD-From the hills said:
Im not sure why you would have to retake your exam in 97. But I took my huntersafty and firearms education in 1995, and got my restricted when I was 18(several years later)
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I think in 1987 (when I was 12y/o) the courses allowed me certain hunting and shooting privelages. Then when I completed the courses again in 1997 I rec'd an FAC. All I know is that I was required to do so.

BTW, according to the application, I should already meet the requirements for a restricted PAL. This is what the application states:

"To get a Possession and Acquisition License for restricted or prohibited firearms, you must have passed two safety tests: the Canadian Firearms Safety Course (CFSC) and the Canadian Restricted Firearms Safety Course (CRFSC). Complete Box 19 b) if this applies to you. NOTE: If you passed the CFSC before before February 1, 1999, you are considered to have met both these requirements."

Colin, interesting post/good info. That's the kind of stuff I'd enjoy reading about. For ex., with bolt action rifles there are so many variations starting with CRF vs Push Feed and on and on, I figured similar debates would go on regarding pistol actions. :) (Unless they're all good (Colt, Springfield, Sig, Beretta...) and I should just focus on which one feels best in my hands...but that seems too easy. ;) )
 
If it feels right for you, then it's the right pistol for you!

Calbre is the next issue

.22cal For the scottish in the crowd

9mm for the cheap SOB's

.40 cal for the for the one's attempting to make up for shortages eleswhere

.45acp For those that wish to crawl around on the floor hunting brass

.45gap Well those guys haven't come out of the closet yet

7.62x25 Goddam marxists!!!
 
Well, I'm no Scot but I figured a .22 would be a great place to start (semi or revolver).

I've shot a .22 revolver (seems like good, cheap practice), a 9mm (easy enough to shoot but not enough "pop" for my liking :p ), and a .44 mag hand cannon :eek: that I live without. Based on my limited experience, I think a .357 mag revolver and a .45 acp semi should be right up my alley.
 
Colin said:
Almost all modern Semi-auto’s work on the same basic principles designed by John Browning. The exceptions I am aware of are the Berretta Cougars with rotating barrel and the Chinese M77 series. The Glocks, XD and some of the other polymer guns use a striker firing pin rather than the traditional hammer and firing pin arrangement found on the 1991, BHP, SIG etc.
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I would disagree slightly, yes, most do operate on JMB's tilting barrel system or a variation of it, some designed by him (1911, HP) some not (Glock, SIG, USP, etc) but then there's entirely different realms; the P08, P-38, the Beretta 92/M9 and its variants, the H&K P7 (best handgun ever designed ;) ), as mentioned the cougars, Norc 77 (essentially a P7 system rip off IMO). I'm missing many, but the prevalence of the Beretta 92 alone's a meaningful competitor to the tilt barrel system. :)
 
Colin said:
If it feels right for you, then it's the right pistol for you!

Calbre is the next issue

.22cal For the scottish in the crowd

9mm for the cheap SOB's

.40 cal for the for the one's attempting to make up for shortages eleswhere

.45acp For those that wish to crawl around on the floor hunting brass

.45gap Well those guys haven't come out of the closet yet

7.62x25 Goddam marxists!!!
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OMG! ROFLMAO! it's funny because it's so true........
 
Ardent said:
I would disagree slightly, yes, most do operate on JMB's tilting barrel system or a variation of it, some designed by him (1911, HP) some not (Glock, SIG, USP, etc) but then there's entirely different realms; the P08, P-38, the Beretta 92/M9 and its variants, the H&K P7 (best handgun ever designed ;) ), as mentioned the cougars, Norc 77 (essentially a P7 system rip off IMO). I'm missing many, but the prevalence of the Beretta 92 alone's a meaningful competitor to the tilt barrel system. :)
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the differences between the p-38 and the beretta 92 are not really noticeable other then the cosmetics, basicly the same wedge locking action.:confused:

I'll argue with you about the P-7 being the best handgun ever made, it's over complicated for what it needs to do, but thats german engineering at it's best:D . That being said, they are seriously cool and I will own one someday.:(

Essentially, every semi auto handgun made today is a short recoil delayed blow back, which is the general action type, the tilting barrel being the specific design, and the most common. The exceptions would be 380 down to 22 which may be straight blow back or the check 52's using a roller delayed blow back, gas operation short recoil, desert eagle, various automags P7s, or as mentioned the the few twist lock designs still being made, (help me out here, one of the norcs use a rotating barrel don't they? the old styer hans used it, but does anything current?)
 
Colin said:
If it feels right for you, then it's the right pistol for you!

Calbre is the next issue

.22cal For the scottish in the crowd

9mm for the cheap SOB's

.40 cal for the for the one's attempting to make up for shortages eleswhere

.45acp For those that wish to crawl around on the floor hunting brass

.45gap Well those guys haven't come out of the closet yet

7.62x25 Goddam marxists!!!
Click to expand...

And don't forget the 10mm for us die hard radicals!:p
:dancingbanana: :dancingbanana: :dancingbanana: :dancingbanana: :dancingbanana:
 
Colin said:
.45acp For those that wish to crawl around on the floor hunting brass
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Been there, done that, and will do it again. :redface: :dancingbanana:

As for handguns 101-
-Single action semi-auto (SA): Hammer must be cocked to fire the pistol, pulling the trigger when the hammer is down does nothing. Trigger pull is light, crisp, short trigger travel. This is your 1911 type action.
-Double action semi-auto (DA): Pistol can be fired when hammer is not cocked; pulling the trigger pulls the hammer back and then releases it, firing the pistol. Trigger pulls in Double Action mode are longer, much heavier, generally not as pleasant. After the first shot, the gun will be in single action mode. You can also #### the hammer first and fire it a la single action. This is a very common style and is found in USP's, Sigs, Berettas, CZ's.
-Double action only semi-auto (DAO). Pistol can only be fired with a double action pull, hammer cannot be locked back to fire it single action. (as is my understanding anyway). If it comes in double action, it may come in double action only as well.
-Glocks use a striker mechanism. It is neither single action nor double action, but in its own class. I believe that a pull of the trigger cocks the striker and then fires it, but you'll want to check Glock's website to see how it works.

It is also my understanding that revolvers are the same as semi-autos.
 
I will defend my beloved M7 to the grave :p They are actually quite simple, take one down and you'll see it operates a lot like a Glock as far as the striker mechanism, with the only difference being the grip bar cocks it rather than trigger pressure, hence the friendlier trigger pull. Straightforward spring around barrel, no linkages, no moving barrel. Gas piston holds back a straight blowback action, automatically adjusting to the pressure of the load just how long it stays in battery. Case floats on gas, and extracts and ejects normally even without an extractor; this and the gas operation sound complicated right? Actually when you have one in front of you apart, you realize just how simple it is, only a simple one piece piston fixed to the slide with a port from the throat, and maintenance free flutes in the chamber. It even dissasembles with one button. I actually see the P7 as a triumph of engineering, accomplishing so much with such simple and sensible systems. My 1911's are more complicated by a long run, easily several times more intricate. :)
 
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Colin said:
If it feels right for you, then it's the right pistol for you!

Calbre is the next issue

.22cal For the scottish in the crowd

9mm for the cheap SOB's

.40 cal for the for the one's attempting to make up for shortages eleswhere

.45acp For those that wish to crawl around on the floor hunting brass

.45gap Well those guys haven't come out of the closet yet

7.62x25 Goddam marxists!!!
Click to expand...

.455 and .45LC for those who wish whatever they shoot at will fall down with one round.
50A&E for masochists.:rolleyes:
 
John Sukey said:
.455 and .45LC for those who wish whatever they shoot at will fall down with one round.
50A&E for masochists.:rolleyes:
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nah, .45 lc is for closet pony pumpers

the .455 for refined and cultured gentlemen who appriciate the finer things in life and have an above average intelligence

the .50 AE is for those with more money then me (the bastards)
 
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