For Book: Mobster Pistol in 1979

[TromboneAl]

It's not too hard to research present-day things, but to know about the state of things in 1979 is more difficult.

For my current book, I need a make and model for a pistol that was available in 1979. Specifically,

1. Something that a mobster in San Francisco might have
2. Has a safety
3. Semi-automatic with a magazine that holds a lot of bullets
4. Could have a suppressor

Thanks.

 

[REWahoo]

One possibility: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MAC-10

https://www.google.com/imgres?imgur...d=0ahUKEwi0zMniprLZAhUB7qwKHaItD_AQ_B0IowEwEQ

 

[MRG]

I'd suggest a hipower. Available in 79, higher mag capacity and has a safety.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Browning_Hi-Power

 

[REWahoo]

Here's another author doing similar research on a firearms forum. Maybe he learned something you can use:

https://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=343191

 

[Ronstar]

Smith & Wesson model 29 44 magnum. Long barrel. The Dirty Harry revolver. Only holds 6 bullets though.

 

[OldShooter]

Browning Hi-Power or Colt 1911A1, though I think revolvers were still pretty popular back then.

There is an optional Hi-Power stock that attaches to the grip. Probably there is an extended magazine for it too, I am just guessing though. A stocked Hi-Power is a short-barrelled rifle and subject to NFA regulations. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Short-barreled_rifle More: https://www.gun-tests.com/gow/handguns/Inglis-Hi-Power-Stock-9mm_13064-1.html

 

[MRG]

Al, when I was a kid we has a book " Encyclopedia of Firearms" there was a page on all modern firearms. You can download a pdf of the current version. You might find a hardcopy at your local library or firearm dealer.

 

[Gumby]

Browning Hi-Power would be good. An alternative 9mm semiautomatic pistol is the Smith & Wesson Model 59, introduced in 1971, with a 14 round magazine. The Colt 1911A1 magazine only carries 7 rounds.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smith_&_Wesson_Model_59

 

[Ronstar]

I saw that. But I thought that the 44 magnum could get a pass on that little detail. It would provide more impact in the book.

 

[MRG]

Browning Hi-Power would be good. An alternative 9mm semiautomatic pistol is the Smith & Wesson Model 59, introduced in 1971, with a 14 round magazine. The Colt 1911A1 magazine only carries 7 rounds.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smith_&_Wesson_Model_59

I was looking at double stack 1911A1 but looks like they didn't come around until the 80s.

 

[Gumby]

I was looking at double stack 1911A1 but looks like they didn't come around until the 80s.

A double stack might be a 1911 style, but it wouldn't be a Colt.

Plus, if I'm correctly reading between the lines of Al's post, the additional grip safety might not fit the story properly.

 

[braumeister]

Smith & Wesson Model 59

This would get my vote. I bought one of those in the late 70s, and I wish I still had it. Fits Al's criteria perfectly.

 

[Starsky]

It's not too hard to research present-day things, but to know about the state of things in 1979 is more difficult.

For my current book, I need a make and model for a pistol that was available in 1979. Specifically,

1. Something that a mobster in San Francisco might have
2. Has a safety
3. Semi-automatic with a magazine that holds a lot of bullets
4. Could have a suppressor

Thanks.

How about a Colt 1911? Can't go wrong with that.

 

[TromboneAl]

Thanks. I think I'll go with the Smith & Wesson Model 59.

Any reason why it wouldn't be able to have a suppressor?

Were suppressors illegal in California in 1979?

 

[MRG]

Were suppressors illegal in California in 1979?

Yes, I believe the have never been legal in CA.

Make sure you understand the difference between suppressor and silencer. One is much more effective, the other is currently legal, with some paperwork, in 42 states.

 

[TromboneAl]

Also, I might need the gun to jam. Would that be reasonable with the 59?

Some research says yes: http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-semi-auto-pistols/473726-model-59-jamming.html

Is there something that would make the gun prone to jam? Drop it? Get it wet?

 

[MRG]

Also, I might need the gun to jam. Would that be reasonable with the 59?

Some research says yes: http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-semi-auto-pistols/473726-model-59-jamming.html

Is there something that would make the gun prone to jam? Drop it? Get it wet?

I'm not familiar with the 59 but any semi- auto pistol can jam.

Looking at some firearm forums suggest the 59 is no exception.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-semi-auto-pistols/473726-model-59-jamming.html

ETA: Jams occur at the worst possible time. I'd look at older ammunition. The link I sent suggested springs were a common failure point. Sometimes particular magazines might be more likely to jam, at least there's a reference to that in the above link.

 

[braumeister]

Yes, the Model 59 could have a suppressor. Being illegal in California shouldn't make any difference to a mobster.

As for jamming, it will definitely jam.

One relatively common reason would be "limp wristing" the gun when firing. That means not holding it firmly and absorbing some of the recoil with your wrist. That can cause the action to not fully eject the spent casing, jamming the slide open.

 

[Backpacker]

Jamming could be caused by lack of cleaning the build up from repeated firing (the inside). Also if it was wet and not properly cleaned could lead to rust in the barrel/chamber which could cause spent shell casing to not eject properly.

 

[Mr._Graybeard]

A large-caliber firearm would make a lot of noise and be hard to conceal. Here's a story about a botched mob hit -- one of the guns found with the attackers is a .380.
https://www.upi.com/Archives/1982/08/01/Salvatore-Testa-son-of-slain-reputed-mob-boss-Philip/6836397022400/

Google "mob hit" and .380.

 

[TromboneAl]

One relatively common reason would be "limp wristing" the gun when firing. That means not holding it firmly and absorbing some of the recoil with your wrist. That can cause the action to not fully eject the spent casing, jamming the slide open.

Excellent, I think I'll use that.

 

[Car-Guy]

All semi automatics jam. Some more often than others. As a rule cheaper guns will jam more often than more expensive ones (quality) but they all can and will jam. I do have a couple of very high quality 1911's that very rarely jam. Some factors that cause jamming, quality of gun, type of ammo, shooting style e.g. limp wrist, poor cleaning, etc. And btw, revolvers can and do jam too, just not that often.

edit; I just saw the mention of limp wrist in an early post. It tends to be a bigger type of jamming problem with new/novice shooters.

 

[braumeister]

A couple of examples of that kind of jam:

 

[Car-Guy]

Second picture above is called "stove piping."

 

[calmloki]

Mobster might want an evil looking gun like the CZ-52. No kind of quiet though, but prone to jamming with the combination of old springs and ammo.