Forensic Ballistics

C. HANDGUNS
These types of firearms are designed or intended to be fired using one hand e.g. pistols and
revolvers.
1. Pistol
In early firearm history, all handguns are called as pistols. There were three (3) classes of
pistols in generally that period. The single shot pistol, the semi-automatic and the revolving pistol
now known as the revolver. The single shot pistol is operated by depressing the lever causing the
barrel to be unlatched and tipped upward. In this position the cartridge is inserted to the chamber and
locked. The hammer is pulled rearward to be cocked and ready to fire.
The Semi-automatic pistol is the type of pistol most common in existence. This is loaded
through the magazine, a slide action is taken to first load a cartridge to the chamber, upon firing the
empty shell will be extracted and ejected from the firearm at the same time another cartridge is
automatically loaded to the chamber without the gunner exerting additional effort. Thus firing can be
made successively for every press of the trigger without the need to constantly reload.
2. Revolver
The revolver is a type of a hand firearm designed to position cartridges into position for firing
with the aid of a rotating cylinder serving as its chamber. There are two types of revolvers according
to its mechanical firing action, they are as follows: (a) the single action, a type of revolver that needs
manual cocking of the hammer before squeezing the trigger; and (b) the double action, a type of
revolver that does not need manual cocking. The gunner just presses the trigger and it both cocked
and releases the hammer causing a much faster firing.
Another classification of revolver is according to its mechanical construction for loading and
unloading. They are ejection rod types, considered as the oldest of this classification. It is loaded by
an opened hinged gate at the left side of the gun exposing the chamber and cartridge are loaded one
at a time while rotating the cylinder. After firing, a rod at the bottom or under the barrel is pushed to
the rear to the chamber as the cylinder is again revolved by hand. Another type of this ejection rod is
one that has pin through the center of the cylinder that is responsible for the complete removal of the
cylinder for loading and unloading The second type of the break-open type, having a barrel and
cylinder hinged with a latch holding the barrel in place when in a firing position. Loading is done by
swing done of the barrel and the cartridges are inserted to the cylinder and the barrel is returned to its
position for firing. The same thing is observed in unloading the gun. The third type is the solid frame
revolver, the cylinder swings out removing the cartridge case, although the operation is by pushing
the extension rod to the rear to unlock and swing out the cylinder.
C. Types of Firearms According to Mechanical Construction
1. Single shot firearms = types of firearms designed to fire only one shot for every loading.
Examples: single shot pistols, revolvers and shotguns.
 2. Repeating arms = types of firearms designed to fire several shots in one loading and for
every press of the trigger.
Examples: automatic pistols, revolvers, rifles, and shotguns.
3. Automatic firearms = types of firearms that constitutes continuous firing in a single press
of the trigger and while the trigger is pressed.
4. Slide action type = types of firearms in which loading take place by back and fourth
manipulation of the under over forearms of the gun.
Examples: shotgun and pistols
5. Bolt action type = types of firearms in which reloading takes place by manipulating the
bolt back and forth.
Examples: Rifles, shotguns and machine guns.
6. Lever type (break type) = loading takes place by lever action on the firearms. Examples:
Rifles and shotguns.

Browning9x19mmHi-Power, Compact semi-automatic

Also known as the GP Smith & Wesson 45 ACP
(Grande Puissance) Chief's Special - 35.
Model CS45

Jericho 941 F(DA),9mm Mark XIX Desert Eagle

with magazine removed in 50Action Express.
 Ruger LCP displayed Springfield SHOT Show.
at the 2008 Armory M1911A1 single-
action 45 ACP semi
automatic pistol

Advantages and Disadvantages of Pistols and Revolvers

Revolver
Advantages

1. It is an old standard weapon that is easy to operate, hence almost everyone knows how to
handle it.
2.Safer for inexperienced users to handle and carry than an automatic pistol.
3.Its mechanism allows the trigger pull to be better than an average automatic pistol.
4. A misfire does not put a revolver out of action.
5. It will handle satisfactorily old or new deteriorated or partly ammunition which gives a
reduced velocity that would jam an average automatic pistol.
Disadvantages
1. It is more bulky to carry than an automatic pistol.
2. Its grip or handle is generally not as good as that of pistol.
3. It is slower to load.
4. It is harder to replace worn out or broken part - it is a factory job.
5. It is hard to clean.
6. Worn out or poorly made weapon is subject to variable accuracy due to improper lining of
cylinder.
Pistol
Advantages
1. It has a better grip- the hand points naturally.
2. It is more compact for the same firing power.
3.It is easier to load in com parison with that of a re volver.
4. In case of a worn out or cor roded barrel, a new one can be put in at a little without sending
the the factory.
5. It gives greater number of shots than a revolver.
6. It is easier to clean than a revolver.
7. It gives greater firing power and greater cases of firing.
8. There is no gas leakage in its operation.
Disadvantages
1.Ammunition must be perfect otherwise, a jam might be experience.
2. A misfire stops functioning of the gun.
3. When kept loaded for long time, the magazine spring is under tension and may deteriorate
problems.
4. It cannot use blank or reduced loads.
5. It has poorer trigger pull.
6. The magazine requires a jacketed bullet which is not good for practical use.
7. More dangerous to handle and fire.
8. It is not adapted to reloading.
9. Its mechanism ejects empty shell towards the face of the shooter causing flinching.
10. It throws out empty shells on the ground to remain as evidence.
11. It cannot be fired from the pocket without jamming.
NOMENCLATURE OF FIREARMS AND ITS FUNCTIONS
1. Barrel = the passage way of the bullet. It initiates the r motion of the bullet.
2. Bolt = disengages center pin to allow opening of cylinder and blocks hammer.
3. Center pin = serves as locking device for the cylinder .
4. Center pin spring = holds the center pin in a locked position.
5. Chamber = that part of the firearm in which the cartridge is placed when ready to be fired.
6. Cylinder = serves as the chamber and magazine for a revolver
7. Cylinder notch = helps hold cylinder in place and aligned for ready firing.
8. Cylinder stop = stops and holds the cylinder in alignment for firing.
9. Double action sear= built into weapon to allow double action firing.
10. Extractor = pulls the empty shells from the cylinder simultaneously.
11. Frame = houses the internal parts of the firearm.
12. Hand (pawl) = rotates the cylinder when the hammer is locked
13. Hammer = strikes the blow that initiates the ignition of the primer.
14. Hammer block = safety device that prevents hammer blows to the primer.
15. Mainspring = provides energy to the hammer to activate firing mechanism.
16. Ratchet = helps in the withdrawal of the cartridge or shells from the chamber of the
cylinder.
17. Rebound slide = returns trigger, activates hammer block, and locked hammer.
18. Side plate = provides access to the internal parts.
19. Side plate screws = hold the side plate and yoke in place.
20. Strain screws = controls tension on the mainspring.
21. Thumb latch = actuates the bolt to release the cylinder.
22. Trigger = activates the part necessary to fire the weapon.
23. Trigger guard = guards the trigger to unnecessary action to avoid accidental firing.
24. Trigger spring = provides energy for return movement or rebound slide.
25. Trigger level = contacts rebound slide to return trigger forward.
26. Trigger stop = prevents excessive rearward movement after hammer release.
27. Yoke = pivots connection between the frame and cylinder.

Basic Parts of Pistol

Miscellaneous Types of Guns

1. Zip gun = generally referring to home made gun used by juvenile delinquents in the
United States of America. In the Philippines, it is referred to as 'paltik'.
2. Cane gun, knife pistols, cell phone gun, etc. = devices principally designed for other
purpose to which a gun mechanism is incorporated or attached. It is also called as

Figure 25. Four-Shot Gun Disguised as a cell-phone

Freakish gun. A type of a zip gun designed to prevent easy identification (See. Fig. 25).
3. Flare gun = designed for tracing or sending signals or locating enemy troops. (See. Fig.
26)

Figure 26. An Orion-brand single shot, breech loaded, 12 gauge flare gun. Its design is highly
typical of commercially available flare guns.
4. Gas gun = generally referring to all gun designed fo firing tear gas
5. Harpoon gun = refers to a barbed spear in hunting large fish. (See fig. 27)
 Figure 27. Modern Whaling Harpoon
6. Liberator = U.S. government made smooth bore gun used in Europe and designed to fire
an automatic col pistol cartridge caliber .45.

Figure 28. Liberator Gun

7. Multi-barreled gun = refers to all types of gun containing a number of barrels. (See Fig.
29)

Figure 29. Multi-Barrelled Musket

8. Paradox gun = a type of gun which contains lands and grooves a few inch from the
muzzle point.
9. Tool guns = are devices that resemble a gun's design but are generally used for
construction of furniture e.g. glue gun, drilling machine, etc.
 Figure 30. A hot gun loaded with a glue stick used for decoration
10. Trap gun = refers to gun used for trapping animals.
Assignment Sheet No. 1
I. Define the following:
1. Air Gun

2. Artillery firearm

3. Grease gun

4. Paradox gun

5. Small Arms

II. Differentiate the following:

1. Pistol from revolver

2. Carbine from rifle

3. Musket from shotgun

4. Smooth bore from rifles bore

5. Zip gun from freakish gun

III. Explain in not less than 25 words the statement ---- "A firearm is not the gun..... It's the
ammunition".