what does cocking a gun do ?

[rh71]

anything ? Or is it just movie fluff ?

I can understand a shotgun... loads the shell right ? Or does it expense it ? Maybe I need to load up howstuffworks or sumpin...

 

[screw3d]

Loading the bullet into the chamber (or whatever you call it)?

 

[RichPLS]

Its the last thing you hear before BAM!

 

[alexeikgb]

pulls the hammer back.....

 

[amol]

actually, studies and statistics show that cocking a gun can actually scare a predator, burglar, etc away . . . . i think its something like 50-60% of the time

forgot where i heard it though . . . . .

 

[rh71]

so for a revolver, you must do it before each shot ? Is that the difference between those and semi-automatics ?

 

[Atomicus]

Originally posted by: screw3d
Loading the bullet into the chamber (or whatever you call it)?

Yup, and ppl usually do it before they shoot just to make sure there is a bullet in the chamber.

 

[TechnoKid]

Originally posted by: rh71
so for a revolver, you must do it before each shot ? Is that the difference between those and semi-automatics ?

depends if it is double action or single action revolver

 

[AlienCraft]

Originally posted by: rh71
so for a revolver, you must do it before each shot ? Is that the difference between those and semi-automatics ?

With a single action the hammer must be pulled back each time. A double action revolver cocks after each shot.

 

[BannedTroll]

Originally posted by: rh71
so for a revolver, you must do it before each shot ? Is that the difference between those and semi-automatics ?

No you don't have to cock a revolver (most) at all. I helps increse accuracy though.

 

[rh71]

how come I see glocks or berettas being cocked too ? Does the trigger react differently/faster while already cocked ?

 

[jagec]

Well, the way a gun fires is by the hammer striking the firing pin, which in turn hits the bullet and starts the explosion. So you cock the hammer, and when you pull the trigger it gets released.
On a revolver, cocking it also advances the cylinder so you hit a different bullet each time.
On a semiauto pistol, you pull the slide back for the first shot, which both cocks the hammer and chambers a round. The recoil from your shot chambers the next round and cocks the hammer again.

 

[TheLonelyPhoenix]

Originally posted by: Amol
actually, studies and statistics show that cocking a gun can actually scare a predator, burglar, etc away . . . . i think its something like 50-60% of the time

forgot where i heard it though . . . . .

I've heard of police unloading and reloading their weapons for the same effect.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: TheLonelyPhoenix

Originally posted by: Amol
actually, studies and statistics show that cocking a gun can actually scare a predator, burglar, etc away . . . . i think its something like 50-60% of the time

forgot where i heard it though . . . . .

I've heard of police unloading and reloading their weapons for the same effect.

Nothing sends a home intruder scurrying out your door faster than the sound of a 12ga being cocked. :Q

- M4H

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: Amol
actually, studies and statistics show that cocking a gun can actually scare a predator, burglar, etc away . . . . i think its something like 50-60% of the time

forgot where i heard it though . . . . .

I guess it must be a reality check. "Oh yeah, that's a working gun, THAT CAN KILL ME!!"

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: jagec

Originally posted by: Amol
actually, studies and statistics show that cocking a gun can actually scare a predator, burglar, etc away . . . . i think its something like 50-60% of the time

forgot where i heard it though . . . . .

I guess it must be a reality check. "Oh yeah, that's a working gun, THAT CAN KILL ME!!"

More like "Oh, fvck, locked, loaded, and ready to fire. I think I've lost this round."

- M4H

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
Nothing sends a home intruder scurrying out your door faster than the sound of a 12ga being cocked. :Q

- M4H

yes, a pump-action 12 guage is generally considered to be the best home defense. Dunno why all those morons try to buy machine gun replicas

 

[rh71]

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire

Originally posted by: TheLonelyPhoenix

Originally posted by: Amol
actually, studies and statistics show that cocking a gun can actually scare a predator, burglar, etc away . . . . i think its something like 50-60% of the time

forgot where i heard it though . . . . .

I've heard of police unloading and reloading their weapons for the same effect.

Nothing sends a home intruder scurrying out your door faster than the sound of a 12ga being cocked. :Q

- M4H

<-- downloads the mp3 onto his Treo.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Originally posted by: TechnoKid

Originally posted by: rh71
so for a revolver, you must do it before each shot ? Is that the difference between those and semi-automatics ?

depends if it is double action or single action revolver

Correct. To elaborate, there are basically two types of pistol.

"Single action" required you to pull back the hammer. In a revolver it turns the cylinder and sets the hammer so it falls on the primer, resulting in the weapon firing. In a semi auto pistol it sets the hammer, but there is no cylinder to turn. In this case, once you fire the piece, it automatically puts the hammer so it will fire with just a trigger pull.

In both revolver and semi-auto, you can pull the trigger all day and nothing happens until you cock the hammer.

"Double action" is just like the above, BUT pulling on the trigger sets the hammer, or with a revolver both turns the cylinder and positions the hammer.

If you pull the trigger, it goes "Boom".

 

[So]

Well, theoretically (I can't say I've fired a pistol here, so correct me if I'm wrong) -- doesn't it make the first pull of the trigger a 'short' pull so it is both easier and quicker to get that first shot off (however marginal the improvement is).

 

[rh71]

while we're sharing this wealth of information, how does the safety come into play ? The trigger can still be fully pulled, yes ? Do all handguns have safetys ?

 

[K1052]

Originally posted by: So
Well, theoretically (I can't say I've fired a pistol here, so correct me if I'm wrong) -- doesn't it make the first pull of the trigger a 'short' pull so it is both easier and quicker to get that first shot off (however marginal the improvement is).

Yes.

Some semi-autos and revolvers have really heavy double action trigger pulls. Heavy triggers reduce accuracy.

 

[screw3d]

Originally posted by: rh71
while we're sharing this wealth of information, how does the safety come into play ? The trigger can still be fully pulled, yes ? Do all handguns have safetys ?

I think the trigger cannot be pulled if the safety is on?

 

[So]

Originally posted by: rh71
while we're sharing this wealth of information, how does the safety come into play ? The trigger can still be fully pulled, yes ? Do all handguns have safetys ?

Not sure, exactly, AFAIK, safetys are different across guns, but some safetys make the trigger rigid and others make pulling it have no effect.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: jagec

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
Nothing sends a home intruder scurrying out your door faster than the sound of a 12ga being cocked. :Q

- M4H

yes, a pump-action 12 guage is generally considered to be the best home defense. Dunno why all those morons try to buy machine gun replicas

See bolded word.

It's just the nature of buckshot as a wide-area, low penetration weapon. Don't have to be perfectly aimed so you've got a better chance to hit under stress/low light, and most papier-mache apartment walls will soak up birdshot.

- M4H